Cross-country running at San Miguel School on Georgia Avenue in Northwest Washington, D.C. fosters the physical and mental well-being of students, teaching them discipline and motivating them to prepare for life with integrity and determination, say coaches Grace Babcock and Gustavo Sánchez.
The school’s cross-country team is currently participating in the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) season, organized by The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, where they compete against other schools and parishes.
"Running cross-country not only keeps our students physically fit but also sharpens their minds. To run effectively and commit to endurance racing, you need discipline, determination, and self-confidence," Babcock explained.
Babcock and Sánchez have been coaching these athletes since the team was founded in 2023. They believe the skills gained from cross-country extend beyond the track, helping the boys in their transition into young adulthood.
Both coaches have been involved in athletics since their school and college days and now run daily to stay in shape while training their students.
"While students work toward their goals of self-improvement—like getting faster, building endurance, and more—they also get to bond with friends, develop healthy habits, and grow into their best selves," Babcock noted.
Sports are essential for the overall development of children and teenagers, and cross-country, along with other sports offered at San Miguel School, is seen as key to healthy growth.
For nearly 70 years, the CYO has fostered the personal and spiritual growth of young people in The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, helping them tackle life’s challenges and develop their talents in service to their families, parishes, and communities.
"Our team trains twice a week since many of our boys also participate in soccer and other activities," Babcock said. "A typical practice starts with a warm-up and dynamic stretching, and ends with a cool-down and cross-training."
On Wednesdays, they focus on speed with workouts such as tempo runs, pyramid drills, time trials, and circuits. Fridays are dedicated to endurance, featuring long runs that gradually increase in distance as the season progresses, done at an easy, conversational pace.
Their training also includes timed runs, hill and stair-climbing exercises, and several kilometers of road running each week to build strength and endurance.
"All our students run in the 14U division, so there’s plenty of competition. But our main goal is for students to improve their times, not just their race rankings. When they hit a personal record, it’s a huge success."
She stressed how this approach motivated her long-distance runners to aim for personal records and improve their times, as shown last year when all her runners qualified for the division's final race.
At that age, children need a lot of support from their parents, not only to succeed in academics but also in sports.
"We truly could not accomplish what we do without the support of our San Miguel families. Their encouragement and dedication are the reasons our students thrive. They make sure their runners are on time, stay healthy, and support both the team and the coaches. It is amazing and humbling."
Coach Gustavo Sánchez, who has been a runner since childhood, expressed gratitude to Babcock "for the opportunity to help train these young athletes" in his second year with the team.
"I often tell my runners, ‘The mind controls the body.’ It is important for them to understand that even as adults, we face challenges. Perseverance and determination are key to overcome obstacles, both in running and in life," said Sánchez, who runs thirty miles a week.
He admitted that it was not always easy for him. “When I first started, I struggled to run even a mile without needing to stop. But over time, I learned that persistence and determination can help you push through difficulties, both in running and in life.”
Young people today face many challenges. Parents and educators work to ensure they study, play sports, and find healthy recreation at school and in their communities.
"It’s so important. Running and other sports teach self-discipline, teamwork, and resilience. These are not just sports skills but life skills that apply to school, home, and beyond," Sánchez said.
Encouraging children to participate in sports keeps them active, helps them build healthy habits, and gives them a positive outlet for their energy.
“As I remind my students, the good habits they develop now—and the unhealthy ones they work to overcome—will become second nature in the future. Our goal is to build their endurance and strength while keeping training enjoyable."
Sánchez, who is of Guatemalan origin, said participating in athletics or any other sport at San Miguel School "teaches valuable life skills like self-discipline, teamwork, and resilience"—skills that will benefit students in their school years and later when they attend university.
For this reason, he emphasized, it is important to encourage them to engage in sports to develop these skills, cultivate healthy habits, and channel their energy positively.
"The competition is tough, but our goal is for each runner to achieve their personal best while working as a team in an atmosphere of camaraderie and friendship," Sánchez noted.
San Miguel School provides Catholic education for students in sixth, seventh, and eighth grades, preparing them for Catholic, independent, or parochial high schools.
For more information, call (202) 232-8345 or visit www.sanmigueldc.org. The school is located at 7705 Georgia Avenue NW, Washington, D.C.
