Sam Ayers, a standout athlete on the Bigfork cross-country team, has been making waves since his freshman year. The 17-year-old moved to Bigfork from Seeley Lake with his family in search of new opportunities after graduation. His mother was drawn to the school district’s special education team, which she believed would be beneficial for her son’s needs in math and speech.
Early Passion for Cross-Country
Ayers’ passion for cross-country began when he was just a middle school student in Seeley Lake. He saw it as a way to make new friends at Bigfork High School and quickly fell in love with the sport.
- Cross-country races typically consist of running 5Ks.
- The team travels across Northwest Montana during their season, running on golf courses and trails throughout the region.
Fun and Engaging Training
The coaches make an effort to ensure that races and training runs are enjoyable by giving fun awards. Ayers shared, "We would do awards, but they would make it fun." He also mentioned that the coaches would take some of the team camping before the cross-country season starts and would run with them during hard workouts.
Demonstrating Toughness
Ryan Nollan, Bigfork’s school psychologist and head cross-country coach, has been impressed by Ayers’ toughness since he first met him during track meets as a freshman in 2019. During one particular race, Ayers faced a challenging situation:
- He kept vomiting midway through the first mile while competing in a 500-meter dash.
- Despite the odds, he got back off the ground and finished the race.
Nollan praised Ayers’ resilience, stating, "So just that toughness… He’s one of the faster students contributing to our team."
Ayers’ journey in cross-country exemplifies determination and passion, making him a key player in the Bigfork cross-country team.
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