The University Academy Upper School cross country team is almost to an end to the season.
Coach Adam Blackstock, the coach of the high school cross country team, has been with the UA cross country team for three years, but Coach Blackstock has been coaching cross country for nine years total. Coach Blackstock is also the Middle and Upper School business and computer teacher.
The 2025 cross country team is made up of nine members.
Tyreek Kendrick is the only freshman. Sophomores include Avayah Coleman, Tamari Ross, Donnie Thomas and Zyion Garry-Bey, all of whom are first-year runners. Bria Chase-Rhodes, Reece Hayes and Ra’Naya Davis are second year cross county sophomores.
The only junior in cross county is Leataata O Tau Lelei Iatala, and there are no seniors.
The athletes have competed in four events in which they ran either 2 miles or 3.1 miles, which they call a 5000-meter run.
“Meets are nerve-wracking, but the people are motivational,” Ross said.
Ross is a first-year runner and is learning about the sport and how to pace herself to the finish line.
“As long as you finish, you did good,” she said.
The cross country captain is Lelei Iatala. Lelei Iatala’s role on the team as captain is to provide the runners with motivation when they need it and make sure they are stretching and preparing correctly for practices and races.
Lelei latala isn’t the only one who can motivate the Gryphon runners, though.
“My peers can support our team by providing support and recognizing our hard work,” Lelei Iatala said.
The cross county team has many more meets coming up. The next meet is this Saturday at Raymore-Peculiar High School,Oct. 18 is the Crossroads Conference Championship, Nov. 1 is Class 2 Districts, and Nov. 7 is the Class 2 State Championships, which is the last cross country meet of this season.
UA students and families are more than welcome to show up and show support to the UA cross country team.
If any students plan on joining the team the next season, prepare to have long practices and run long distances on a daily basis.
“Don’t give up, practice even when you don’t have practice,” Ross said.
