Though some of the opponents may be different this season, the objectives remain the same for the Olympus cross country team: train hard and aim for the top. 

Olympus won the region title on the girls’ side last season. Head coach Chris Humbert is hoping the girls can duplicate this performance. Region 6 will look a lot different this season, as newcomers Viewmont, Woods Cross and Bountiful arrive from Region 5. 

“I am really hopeful that our girls team can repeat as Region 6 champions,” Humbert said. “Last year was pretty great, seeing our girls put it together at region and win (by one point). I'm pretty sure this was the first region championship for our girls team ever here at Olympus High School. We have a new alignment this year, with some new tough schools, so it’s a bit of an unknown, but we're feeling positive and hopeful. We're also very hopeful that the boys team can continue improving, and I'm feeling confident that they will do so. Our top runners hope to shine later this season, as individuals at region, then divisional, then state.”

The Titans got an early start preparing for the season and had a strong showing in their first meet of the season, placing third on the girls’ side and fourth for the boys. The athletes put in the time this summer, and Humbert is optimistic that their efforts will pay off. 

“The team has, for the most part, been very consistently training since early June,” he said. “Quite a few (most of the team) achieved personal best performances at our first meet. We generally all feel very positive that the hard work—both on the trails and the roads, and in the weight room—is paying off. The team is excited to have a consistent summer of training to build on, with comments after the race alluding to how much of a difference it really makes to have the entire team training together all summer and also how much weightlifting has helped.”

The season is long and can be grueling, both physical and mentally. The competition can be daunting and the training and meets can be grueling. Humbert said for the team to reach its goals, every athlete needs to commit to train hard. Staying healthy is also critical. 

“The team needs to keep consistently showing up at practice and doing what they can to stay injury-free: fueling well, sleeping well, training smart,” he said. “Cross country, like all endurance sports, rewards the athletes who put in the consistent training. Having athletes start as freshmen allows them to improve year by year. We are already seeing that with some of last year's freshmen now advancing to the varsity team.”

Humbert is pleased that the athletes get along well with one another and have established a cohesive group. This team unity is a strength that the Spartans enjoy. The athletes also have a positive attitude of doing things the right way. 

“Our team strengths are consistency, accountability and positivity,” Humbert said. “That's what the team identified last year at their training camp as their ‘guiding-light’ words. I'd add that team camaraderie, in which they help each other and encourage each other, is a strength.”

One thing Humbert is emphasizing this season is continuing to improve throughout the season. He said this will only happen as each team member comes to training sessions, spends time with weights and maintains the right frame of mind, no matter what happens during a race. 

“We want to get better at being consistent at practice, including strength training in the weight room,” Humbert said. “The more consistent each athlete is, the better that athlete will do. Building a whole team expectation and culture of consistently showing up at practice and doing your best, putting your best effort out each day at practice and at every meet will pay off in the long term. I also hope to be able to improve in the area of sports psychology, or building a real competition mindset. Cross country is a hard sport, and athletes need to be willing to push themselves in competition in order to do their best. I hope to improve on that.”

Leading the way for the girls team is junior Adria Favero, who has been at the forefront of the squad since she arrived in the program. Humbert is eager to see her compete this season. He believes Favero is one of the top cross country runners in the state. 

“Adria is our top girl and has been one of our standout athletes over the past two years,” he said. “She has won the biggest meets we compete in and has placed in the top three at the state championships the last two years. Adria hopes to continue improving and has worked hard through injuries to be consistently one of the very best in Utah.”

For the boys, expect plenty of top finishes from junior Will Towers, who joined the program last season after moving from Texas. He had a good year as a Titan last season and is aiming for an even more productive 2025. 

“He hopes to improve from last year and has already improved significantly based on the first meet of the season,” Humbert said. “Will is our top boy and really hopes to be in that top group of athletes here in Utah this year.”

Other Olympus athletes who should be in the mix for high finishes at meets and tournaments include senior Casey Kellogg, sophomore Anna Pugh, senior August Bigler, senior Carter Adams and senior Parker Epperson. 

Some challenging meets and opponents await Olympus as the season kicks into high gear. Humbert also knows how important it is for the athletes to stay healthy and avoid the injury bug. He is grateful for the group he is working with this season and appreciates their work ethic and dedication. 

“The athletes are just a great group of kids,” he said. “They are academically motivated, they work hard, they encourage each other and are just so welcoming and inclusive. I love working with them, building a training plan and watching the results as they put in the hours and the miles. I personally used to compete, not as a runner but as a road cyclist and a Nordic skier. As a result, I'd be lying if I didn't say I'm a very competitive person, so of course I love watching the athletes succeed, improve and win, either as individuals or as a team.”