The Measure Of Success

Updated: Nov 13

It was a chilly afternoon at Lane Community College a couple of weeks ago. Runners from all over were warming up to compete in the SD 4 District Cross Country Championships. McKenzie cross country coach, Corey Culp was giving last minute advice to his one and only high school boy, Will Meister. Will's goal...qualify for the state championships.

From the bang of the gun, 74 jerseys jostled for their spaces. Will made quick work of the majority of the other runners, his long strides keeping him in the top 6, no looking back. Only seven runners would move on to the bigger stage. Will's objective, finish ahead of runner number eight. No McKenzie runner had qualified for state in over 10 years. He was determined to break that streak.

Will Meister tackling the back stretch

Teammates, coaches and parents from McKenzie dashed back and forth across the fields inside the race course, cheering their guy on. Two loops, one hill, and one ridiculously long back stretch before winding around the ponds and onto the track, Meister pounded through the miles.

Will hit the track in seventh place and left it all in the race. No one could touch him. He crossed the line victorious.

Will gets a high five from Coach Culp

Breathless, weary and humble, he was greeted with high fives and huge smiles from his team. You could hear words such as epic and incredible coming from the younger runners.

But Will isn't the only incredible runner on that team. Every single one of those kids PR'd this season. Every single one of those kids has nothing but good to say to each other. If a race goes well for someone, they congratulate without jealousy. If a race goes poorly, they boost each other up. They are wonderful competitors because they are wonderful young people.

If success is measured in enjoyment and camaraderie, the McKenzie cross country team is one of the best.