By Josh DeLuca
Contributing Writer
The Hamilton High School cross country team stands alone as Arizona's top high school team, but behind the scenes is hard work and dedication that often goes unnoticed beyond the competition and championships.
How did varsity head coach, Mike Scannell, build the number one cross country team in Arizona?
Early morning practices, intense workouts, and team bonding, are some of the building blocks of the Huskies success on the field and track.
Hamilton's runners’ commitment to training and success not only makes the athletes and the team better but helps them grow as individuals.
Scannell runs a well organized program that keeps the athletes focused and prepared to compete at their best and to make the most of their potential, which includes hard workouts that make his athletes stronger and faster.
“We normally switch off between running hard and easy everyday, it's about finding the right balance to keep the athletes sharp and ready to compete,” Scannell said. “When you repeatedly train and train hard you're pushing your limits, and that’s where the improvement happens.”
Constructing their workouts and emphasizing the importance of both intensity, speed, and recovery, Scannell ensures that each athlete is mentally and physically ready to perform their best on competition days.
In addition to practicing, boys varsity runner Adam Slater highlights the strong bonds within the team and their shared commitment to getting better everyday.
“It's cliche to say, but we are brothers. We’ve all known each other since we were growing up and we have a bond that most teams don’t,’’ Slater said.
This brotherhood and bond helps each of them motivate and support each other during hard practices and hard races.
“We all have big goals for the team, if someone notices someone is tired or falling off the pack, you can hear guys on our team giving them positive reinforcement and that's what I think sets us apart from other teams and contributes to our success,” Slater said.
Hamilton’s bond and culture is contagious and remains the same for the girls team, as varsity runner Lily Clawson explains.
“We’re all really close with each other. We hang outside of practice a lot, and I feel that helps us run better because we all know each other so well and are so close,” Clawson said.
This closeness helps them support each other during workouts and races.
“During workouts, when a group is running by us, we always say things like, ‘Good Job! Keep Going!’ And during races, we cheer each other on and talk to each other, saying things like, ‘Come on. Stay here’,” Clawson said.
Slater and Clawson both recall traveling to the Woodbridge meet in California as their favorite memory of the season and a special bonding experience for the team to grow closer.
“The trip back from Woodbridge is always a highlight. It’s a six-hour bus ride where we spend a lot of time together,” Slater said.
Clawson agreed, “One of my favorite memories is when we went to Woodbridge. We had a great time hanging out at the beach and other places we've never been before.”
The early practices, intense workouts, and team bonding that we don’t see behind the scenes have led the Huskies to another state championship.
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