The Coronado men’s and women’s cross country teams recently spent three days at nearly 9,000 feet training for the upcoming season; journeying up to Woodland Park to run, socialize, and meet the team, over the 30 Cougars made the trip to Quaker Ridge Camp.

Under the new head coach Grant Stoughton, the Cougars hope to accomplish another sucessful season and to continue the success they had last year under long-time head coach and Coronado physics teacher Doug Hugill. Coach Stoughton is confident in the team’s training over the summer, as well as the hard work the team is prepared to put in over the fall. Stoughton said of the camp, “It was exciting.” Each varsity team seems to have a promising season ahead of them, with minimal losses to graduation and a plethora of upperclassmen adding experience to the team. The women’s cross country team hopes to improve on last season’s seventh place finish at state last year, and both teams look to end Coronado’s Colorado Springs Metro League title drought.

At Quaker Ridge, the team tackled team building, horseback riding, s’mores, and sand volleyball, not to mention hilly runs over the mountain terrain. Junior runner and veteran camper, Faith Roth, described the nature of the camp as not only a way to get ready for the season, but also an avenue to get to know the team better: “Cross country camp is a great way to start off the season and school year it’s an opportunity to spend time with your friends and teammates and connect with everyone and the outdoors with tons of activities.” 

If you would like to get in on the action, come to cross country practice at 3:20 P.M. in Coach Stoughton’s room with your blue card!