Curtis Summer Practice

Photographer Russell Moore recently visited Curtis, home of the Vikings, summer practice. Curtis is located at University Place, WA near Tacoma and competes in the South Puget Sound 4A division.

Coach Ben Mangrum explains the Curtis Cross Country program:

During the summer season, how often does the team practice?

We meet six days a week on Monday-Saturday mornings, and many athletes meet 2-3 times a week to lift and cross train in the afternoon. 

What are some special summer activities?

We have team dinners or pancake breakfasts almost every week during the summer.  We will be sending a large group to White Pass XC Camp, and will attend the South Sound XC Camp on July 21-25.  

How do you build team culture?

Our varsity team goes on a three day retreat to update our team's core values and do goal setting for the season.  We meet weekly during the season to review the core values and celebrate those who have demonstrated them well that week. 

What are some events that the team is looking forward to in the fall season?

We will take a small group to the Mook Invite this year in Tillamook, Oregon, and will take almost the whole team to an overnight trip to Nike Portland.  We host a big invitational meet in early October called the John Payne Invite at Chambers Creek Regional Park.  Team dinners happen before most big meets, and we have a Halloween costume party at the team dinner before the district meet.