Ka’Deem Wynn | Writer
When you run 15:01 as a junior, it’s pretty hard to go unnoticed. Merritt Island's Steven Cross tops the list of returning cross country runners with his 15:01 that he ran at the Foot Locker South Regional Championships last year. For the first time in his career, he is not the underdog.
"It feels good (in regards to being number one) but I've never been one to hope for something to be easy and I am not getting too reliant on what I 'should' do, and will continue to work hard to have no doubt," he said.
But how did he get to being in the number one spot? That, is a very interesting story that has long due been needed to be told.
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As a youngster, Steven took up running with the thought of trying something new. Growing into an adolescent, Steven began to lay the foundation that he'd build upon over the next several years.
Though the training was nothing serious, those early days are what hooked him as a runner. As the competition would grow stronger and more competitive, so would Steven’s aptitude for running.
As a freshman, Steven made a small splash into a large pond. Though he started off faster than your average high school freshman by going 18:46 in his first meet at the Ted Benz XC Jamboree, he still wasn’t seen as a part of the big picture.
After finishing his freshman year with a 17:39 5K and no trips to either state meet for cross country or track, Steven was ready to step up and step out.
In his first meet as a sophomore, Steven exploded onto the scene, running 16:33 to get third at the 41st Astronaut-Rotary Invitational. A week later, he got ninth at the UF Mountain Dew Invitational, running 16:03.
Steven Cross post-race at the 2013 Astronuat-Rotary Invitational with DistancePreps.com/Dr. Bob
If he hadn't caught the attention of spectators and fanss by then, maybe he did when he won his first District title in 15:46 or even his 10th place finish at the state meet that year, running a new PR of 15:36.
Though his sophomore season was a spectacular one, it wasn't enough for him. Coming face to face with what he was capable of, Steven also faced adversities which proved only more motivational.
"I have been fortunate enough to avoid any serious injuries but have been faced with adversities," he explained. "These include getting counted out as a contender numerous times, as well as having the hurdle that every runner faces that is getting past hard losses."
Now out of the shadows, he grinded his way to his first state meet for track, qualifying in both the 1600 and 3200 meters. He placed 14th in the 3A 1600 (4:28.10) and 13th in the 3200 (9:53.15) respectively.
In the wake of his upcoming junior cross country season, predictions came out for the top returning cross country teams and individuals in the state. Once again, Steven was counted out as a serious contender. Thus he began to work harder than ever, not that he hadn't in the past. Fame was not his goal, he just wanted to race the clock and no longer wanted to be a dark horse.
The Mustang was coming, and the reigns had been let loose.
2014 Mt Dew Invitational by Bob Murphy/Justshootitphotography.com
Steven continued to show why he was running for that number one spot in the state. From going toe-to-toe with Nick Diaz all season, including two memorable battles at the UF Mountain Dew Invitational and the FSU Pre-State Invite, to being state runner-up, Steven ran as though he was never going to stop. He credits that drive to the many people who push him to be the best. With that kind of backing, one might wonder how you can't perform well?
FSU Pre-State Invitational
A key moment of Steven's junior year came at the Foot Locker South Regional Championships. Again, as we had seen already during the seaon at Mt. Dew and FSU, Steven duked it out with Nick Diaz, finishing in 15:01 as Steven was 8th and Nick 9th. They had both qualified for Foot Locker Nationals and he was just merely 1 second away from breaking the 15 minute barrier.
He would go on to end his season in sunny California at Foot Locker Nationals placing 29th, running 16:12.
In track, he would drop his 3200 meter time by 20 seconds, finishing as the state runner-up in the event going 9:22.73. He also dropped his 1600 time by about 13 seconds, finishing third in the state with a new PR of 4:13.97.
"I would judge my performance last year as satisfactory," he said. "This meaning that I still need more, and still expect better next year, because I believe there is always room for improvement."
Steven says that he didn't quite meet the standards that he aspired for in track. Shooting for possible state titles in the 1600 and 3200, as well as sub 4:10 and sub 9:10 performances, he says that the season still provided him with a good experience for future races.
"I am grateful for what some may look at as defeats, for the important things they showed me about myself," he said. "It was only after my defeats I saw my big success."
Steven broke down how he feels that his defeats are equally important as his victories. They showed him what he did wrong.
"There are some races that I feel I would like to redo," he explained. "To maybe give a little more push, hang on to someone a little longer, but nothing that I regret significantly."
Steven is looking forward to a strong cross country season, and not just for himself but for his team as well. When there's a top individual, spectators tend to forget that those individuals still have teams and teammates that they compete for.
"We have some new, as well as some returning runners that look like they are going to make some very important contributions to the team."
Along with doing all he can to help his team, Steven looks to dip under the 15 minute barrier. He wants to see how far he can drive his time down. Along with a fast time, he aims for a top five placement and First Team All-American status when he returns to Foot Locker Nationals.
And of course, being a state champion is on his list along the way.
In addition to leaving it all on the course, Steven does the same thing when it comes to his studies. Going through the constant battle that all student-athletes go through, Steven, much like in his competitions, comes out on top, having earned straight A's sophomore and junior year after a mixture of A's and B's as a freshman.
"It is a very busy schedule, but I have to try to make sure that I have all of my academic obligations handled before I go and see my other activities," he says.
Like most rising seniors, Steven looks to go to college next year, though he hasn't made any firm decisions on where he would like to attend college.
Throughout his time in high school, he's seen himself develop and grow more focused on his goals in the classroom and with his running. Clearly an incredibly self-motivated individual, Steven says that he has the mindset that when he needs to get something done, he gets it done.
Steven thinks back at why he wakes up early to do something that requires so much dedication. He says that it relaxes him, yet makes him focused and quick-witted. Best of all, it brings out some of his best character.
Steven Cross is more than a runner and a great student. A staunch individual, Cross is now marching to the beat of his own drum.
He leads by example, living by simple ideals. He says that "you can only truly rely on yourself for how much you want to achieve."
"Don't hope for victory, train for it."
