Wolf pack

It occurred to me after the Central Regionals in Wayne, America, that a cross country team is kinda like a wolf pack. There's some biting, scratching and barking that you don't see when the pack is on the hunt.

Case in point: Making Adams State's top seven. An important race was run before the women's and men's finals last weekend. For some ASC runners, it was a time trial, as the squad still has some spots on the nationals squad up in the air. And -- from what I understand -- the regionals team might not be the nationals team, although I'd expect the Three Frontrunners (Brian Medigovich, Reuben Chebon-Mwei and Aaron Braun) and Ryan McNiff to make it. But, as one ASC runner put it, "I was seventh last year, and this year I'm 14th." Another measure of amazing depth.

Different teams likely do it different ways. I remember a complicated points-earning scheme. And, like the current team, a thankfulness to those who don't make those travelling teams but yet push you in workouts and slap your back with "attaboys" when it's over.

However teams determine their Magnificent Seven, they nearly always work together when the race -- or hunt -- begins.