Coaches Corner for September 10th: Cass Warson, Boone Cross Country

With us on coach's corner, KWBG, and I talked to Cass Wharsons today as we talked, so it's boon across country and have a chance to talk with Cass. I mean, this is actually a squad coach that had a chance to run last week. You were one of three because the other two were unable to run last week, so at least you guys had an opportunity to run down at Bondurant, and we'll talk more about that here in a second. But first off, I think Mother Nature maybe has switched a little bit, Cass. How are the kids liking the running conditions this week? The kids prefer the cooler weather, and that's just something that, you know, like I've told them that next week. I mean, tonight when we're at Iowa State, we'll be around 80. Next week, we'll be down around 70 when we run in Clear Lake. But running the heat is just kind of hard to kind of push the body even if you do terrain in it for like two or three days before the actual race. It's not really a lot of time to kind of adapt to it. But you know, the kids still went out, they competed. They did the best that they could, and you know, that's just what a coach can ask for.

It's just you go out, you compete, because everyone's running in the same conditions. So some people, whether you're hydrated or not, that's just kind of how you decided to prepare. And it can be kind of a learning thing too, so. Well, and I thought the girls, and that's where we'll start with, I thought the girls, I mean, to be as close as you guys were to Northpoke at the top, I thought was tremendous. And just being able to see what Emma was able to do, Whitney, Briella, Reagan, heck, I can even go as far down as Chloe as well. I thought everybody did a really solid job, and I wasn't really looking at times as much as I was looking at, who could you pick off that was in front of you? And coach, overall, on the girls side, you had to be pretty pleased. Yeah, yeah. And the girls have never really been a doubt with me, is like, they've been in my system for at least a year now,

and they just kind of feed off at each other when it comes to being competitive. And on a night like that, it's not really about time. It is about place, just because of the harsh conditions of how hot it is, but you also have to be mentally in it where you can tell yourself you're gonna shut down a little bit and kind of run a little bit more of a comfortable pace because of how hot it is, but you still need to be able to push and try and beat that person that's ahead of you. But one thing I did tell both the guys and the girls is like, just listen to your body because of how hot it is. That this is not really a race to just kind of go out and kill yourself over because it is only our second meet of the season. We've got like at least seven weeks left. It's like, I need you here in about six weeks more than I need you here tonight, trying to, you know, do more than maybe what you need to. Overall, Cass, did you walk away pretty pleased with how the girls did compete that night then? Yeah, yeah, no doubt. Like we kind of put a measuring stick as to where we are among all the conference teams because that was just kind of a mini conference meet. Clear Lake was supposed to come down, but I think they pulled out. And I'm gonna guess it's because of how late they decided to run the races. They ended up canceling the middle school races due to the heat and they moved the girls race back to 6.30, boys were at 7.05. And so on a Thursday night when Clear Lake got about an hour and a half or so drive, it can make for a late night for them. So I completely understand their view plan on that. Expectations, what do you wanna see from the girls then tonight, coach? You get a chance to go over to Gilbert, invited the Iowa State course. I know kids gotta get a little bit pumped on running on the Iowa State course. I always kind of feel like that gets the juices flowing a little bit, but what do you wanna see from the girls here this evening?

Yeah, Iowa State is a pretty fast course. It has been in the past. And the plus side is that they know the course. So, and they know the competition that's gonna be there after having competed basically with all the teams last season. I think the new addition this year is Bonderant, Snuckin. So another conference team. And really this race is still kind of conference heavy because we'll see Gilbert, we'll see ADM, we'll see Winner set. So it'll kind of still put a little bit of a standpoint where some individuals are against other individuals from other teams. And from what I've been able to compile going into the race, we may get one or two that could crack the top 15.

Just with the times that people have run so far this season. Now I know maybe some teams didn't run last week, so that could throw an extra factor and do it into what may happen. Cause some teams have had an extra week of training like Madrid. So their girls have had that extra week to just kind of train for Iowa State. And I'm sure that's the same with a few other teams as well. Boys side of things in Cass. Austin Felder led you down at Bonderant. He finished up 32nd. Jonathan Myers then in 36th. And Ace Wolfgram, your eighth grader finished in 40. Coach, a sophomore, a freshman and eighth grader, they all kind of showed out that afternoon or evening, I guess I should say. Yeah, I was very pleased with their race.

I know we have four seniors on the team. And it helps when we have the numbers, but it's just kind of encouraging to kind of see the youth at the bottom level of the high school to kind of reach the top. Because to me, that just kind of shows a little bit of light that could be coming in the future as we progress. As they progress to get older, it's like we kind of got a benchmark to start at. And now just kind of work ourselves up as you get older. And cause I know we'll be losing the seniors this year. This will be their last season.

But now they've got some younger kids to kind of go and compete with on their team that are gonna help push them. And I mean, one thing that I preach to the kids is like, I can't make you want it. I can't make you want to be good. I can't tie a rope to you and pull you. I can't push you. You've got to be willing to do that on your own. And something I talked about last night is like, those people in front of you that are on your team, go with them, work with them. Don't work against them. Being like, I can't reach them. I don't feel like pushing to reach Austin or Jonathan. It's got to be your decision. And that just comes with racing is like, you got to be competitive, not just to try and stick with your teammates who may be a little faster than you, but to compete with the winner set, kid. Compete with Humboldt, compete with Gilbert. And just try to push beyond the boundary that you didn't know you could. And already the boys had seen progress after the first meet because those that ran last year,

the majority of them were over a minute faster than they were at their first meet from last season. And that was just something I wanted them to realize like their progression from their first meet this year, from their first meet last season and why it's important to do the summer training because you'll see your times drop from one season to the next when you do stuff like that. No doubt. You're gonna see that tonight too, I believe. And first off, Cass, you made it because you should have some really, really nice weather to run to tonight. So here's to some great weather running. And as always, thanks for some time here on Coach's Corner. Yes, thank you, Ryan. You bet. Cass Morrison again, joining us. Boomcross Country here on Coach's Corner.