Dakota High Schools men cross country team won the MAC RED Championship once again, so I interviewed Mr. Timpa the coach of the team and asked him a few questions about the team, how they prepared and what it was like winning again.

The first question I asked him was how long has it been since the men’s cross-country team won the MAC RED Championship? The coach, Mr. Timpa, said the last time the men’s cross-country team won the MAC RED Championship was in 2016 and that this is the sixth MAC RED dual meet championship in the history of the men’s cross-country team.

I then asked him if winning the MAC RED made him and the team stronger mentally? which he replied with yes because it gives the guys the confidence they need to know that they can beat state ranked teams such as Romeo who is currently ranked fifth in D1.

After asking how they did it mentally I asked how they prepare for such an event as the MAC RED Championship. Mr. Timpa then said that they prepare both mentally and physically. They prepare physically by running and a lot of it. The men’s team has been running 50 miles per week. With some of the running being long distance, hills and speed workouts. Mentally the team has been focusing on getting the correct amount of sleep, staying strong mentally and focused on the tournament in October.

For the final question I had asked him what it was like winning the MAC RED Championship. Mr. Timpa told me that it is always a wonderful accomplishment, especially in something as challenging as the MAC RED, he also told me that there are 3 teams ranked in the top 15 those being Romeo, Dakota, and Utica. To come out on top is a great he said but there are bigger goals so the guys have to refocus and keep going.

photo credit- MAC RED Jamboree – DAKOTA COUGARS CROSS COUNTRY (weebly.com)