by Rojas Oliva, managing editor

In addition to their usual summer regime of weightlifting, the A&M Consolidated boys soccer team has been spending their school-free mornings running with the boys cross-country team. The Roar caught up with junior Pancho Mackin-Plankey one week into training.

So, how do you feel right now?

Tired. My shoulders are more sore than they should be.

What’s been the hardest or worst thing about training so far?

The two-mile time trial. We timed a run, and I managed to embarrass myself. It’s just hard because you felt like you were being judged so you wanted to impress, [and] so then the letdown, instead of just kinda being internal, was also like–argh–external.

What’s been the best?

[Pauses, then laughs.] The good feeling of tiredness after a run.

What are you guys looking to gain from joining the cross-country team for training?

Over the last couple of years, [the soccer team has] looked really good, yet we haven’t advanced far in the playoffs. Part of soccer is the amount of games played, so fitness always comes into question, and [soccer coach Stefano] Salerno thought this would be the easiest way to fix conditioning.

Do you think it’s working?

For the people who are coming, I think it’s working. Unfortunately, there’s not a large enough turnout.

What’s the team dynamic been like?

Like soccer [guys], the cross country guys are kinda laid-back, so it’s fun and interesting.

What would you be doing if you weren’t running in the mornings?

Sleeping.

Want to get involved with the cross-country team? You can find their schedule here.