On their team shirts, Brooks Secondary School’s senior boys cross-country team wear the following on their backs: Pain is temporary. Pride is Forever.
“It’s true,” said Chris Fisher, 17.
The pain is in the training. The pride is that Fisher and his teammates, John Harmer, 16, Will Rice, 16, and Leo Head, 15, not only competed at BC School Sports Cross Country Championships on Saturday, November 3, but only five days later, they were with the Brooks soccer team at the island soccer championships.
Competing in both cross country and soccer championships there is a high probability they will be in some pain.
“It’s been hard; practising hard but it’s been really fun,” said Head, who, as a junior running with the seniors, was competing in cross country for the first time. It is a feat Fisher said is unbelievable.
Fisher returned to cross country after taking last year off to focus more of his attention on soccer. He excels at both and said he came back to run trails because the team was good.
“And I just wanted to have some fun with the boys,” said Fisher, who placed fourth at the island championships.
Fun, not just first or last place finishes, is what coaches Graham Cocksedge and Tony Rice instill in these athletes, and competing is a lifelong lesson.
Each of the boys have their own preferences when it comes to running or soccer.
Harmer said he gets his kicks on trails more than kicking a soccer ball.
“I enjoy the trips more. I really like my teammates,” said Harmer. “Something about competing as an individual; I just get so competitive and it’s a feeling you can’t compare.”
Rice, Head and Fisher said they are soccer players.
Along with Brooks senior girls cross-country team, finishing fourth at BC School Sports Vancouver Island Championships to qualify for the provincials was satisfying for a team from a small town running against private schools with powerhouse athletic programs.
“As a team we had a good chance of going top 10 and we did,” said Fisher. “It was a good result as a team. We all pulled it together. You show up and do the best you can. It really doesn’t get much harder than that. Show up and run.”
