Last weekend, the Lake Minneola boys and girls cross country teams made their way to state championships, where coaches Cory Isom, David Patienus and Mary Dube say they are extremely proud of their performance.

The girls team, returning for their fourth year in a row at the state championship, came in 10th place and the boys team, showing up for their first ever state competition, came in 12th.

Runners Claire Reburn (top season time 19:10) and Jacob Kelley (top season time 16:04) were recognized as “vocal leaders” on the team and bring a special energy to the table that makes the others want to follow along. Alejandra Rodriguez (top season time 18:48) and Quentin Thompson (top season time 15:40) were recognized as those who lead by example, being very fast and skilled runners who motivate the rest of the team to do well. 

Coach Isom stresses the importance of faith in his team culture. He has a strong belief that his runners will do well, and through him they find inspiration to keep going strong. 

Having such a large support system is this team’s key to success.

“The ability to keep our focus and keep the kids focused has been tremendous, and that’s not just the coaching staff, but also our parents,” Coach Isom says. “We had really great support from our parents as a whole.” 

This iron sense of faith has lifted this team through many hardships. They have faced injuries, run without their best and had to push through so much, but still they remain a network of love and support for each other and for their coaches through it all. 

“They have held me up and I have held them up and I couldn’t turn my back on them for anything in the world, because they mean that much,” Coach Isom says. 

The coaches also stress the importance of staying humble, knowing their runners can always do better.

“Making them understand that they can be even better if they stay grounded and keep their faith and keep their eyes on the overall goal,” Coach Isom says. 

Coach Patienus is also a huge motivation for these runners by being a role model that they have to beat.

“I was breaking the top 10 all the time, and I’m no longer top 10 now, because of the boys,” he says. 

He sets records for them to break, which is great motivation for the runners because if they can be better than their coach, they must be doing something right.

This has been a huge year for Lake Minneola Cross Country. The work ethics of the runners and the support of the coaches and parents has led them to a place they can be proud of. But they are not finished yet. 

Coach Isom says, “This is the best year ever in Lake Minneola cross country history, and we’ve only just begun.” 

They are aiming for those state titles next year. The key to success is support and hard work and this team has so much of both. 

Look out for them in the coming seasons, and watch them work for that state title. 

Go Hawks! 

Story by Riley Goldberg, photos provided