In his second year running cross-country, junior Alex Andrews has ran himself to the top of Eastern Boys Cross Country. With a personal best of 17:06 in the 5k, Alex has received interest from Gwynedd-Mercy College and is sure to receive more interest in his senior year.

   In a typical week, Alex runs over thirty miles. He estimates that he runs between five and six miles each day.

  Practice is not the only way he prepares. With the help of his dad, Alex eats well. He eats a lot of fruit, as good nutrition is a big part of his preparation. On Friday nights, the night before most races, he eats pasta with cheese to get his carbs in before he runs.

  Before a race Alex runs for a short ten to twelve minutes and stretches with his team. The final preparation before stepping up to the starting line is to put on his race number.

  Off the start line, Alex keeps a moderate pace. Trying not to be passed, he keeps pace with another runner.

  “Crossing the finish line isn’t a great feeling,” Alex said. “I want to throw up and I don’t want to talk to anyone.” After a few minutes, when he catches his breath, he starts talking to people.

  Alex started his athletic career as a soccer player in his freshman year. But his older brother, Nick Andrews, now at Penn, encouraged him to run cross-country. Alex hasn’t turned back since.

   “I run for the team. I consider myself athletic, and I don’t want to waste that ability.”

  Most people would not consider cross-country a team sport, but Alex would disagree. He thinks that the boys cross-country team is a close-knit group. They build bonds and trust in an unusual way. “We make fun of people in a joking manner and have funny nicknames,” said Alex with a smile.

  During his cross-country career, Alex has learned the importance of hardwork and determination. For example, finishing the last rep of a workout or finishing the last hundred meters of a race.

  With winter track, spring track, and his entire senior year to come, junior Alex Andrews sees open trails and vistas ahead of him.