Clarkston Everest Collegiate senior Kate Funke was invited to attend the United State Naval Academy cross country camp.
For Funke it was an honor as she has been running cross country since her freshman year at Everest, and her dream is to attend the Naval Academy next year.
“Navy athletics are some of the most competitive in the country,” Funke said. “Through this opportunity, I was able to train firsthand with Navy coaches and learn the same exercises practiced at the Academy.”
She shared each day she was at camp had three sessions. The activities ranged from mile repeats, long runs, and strengthening workouts.
“I remember after my first day of camp I was exhausted and could barely walk,” Funke said. “I called my parents and explained I didn’t know how I was going to survive another seven days. The other runners were some of the best in the country, and the workouts were hard. But one of the things the coach talked about on the first day was everyone is going to struggle with something at camp. Not every runner is the same and although someone may be faster or slower than you, the only person who matters is yourself.”

Funke added there was rarely a time they weren’t outside but they did have classroom time. During the time, they talked about running education, techniques, proper fueling and the importance of sleep.
She admitted the sleep is one aspect she struggles with as a high school student.
“One thing that stuck with me from the discussion is the sacrifice it takes to be a good athlete,” Funke said. “I remember Coach Aaron Lanzel saying how if it was supposed to be easy, everyone could do it. It is those who truly want it and work hard that are the best athletes. These talks really made me realize the sport of cross country is more than running.”
She added so many aspects go into becoming a better runner and it’s not about being the fastest on the team.
“It is about giving everything you have because that is the only way to get better,” she shared. “An example of this at camp was when we did mile repeats. It was 95 degrees out, and the trail was very hilly without much shade. You could do as many repeats as you wanted.”
She admitted she didn’t know how she was even going to do one.
“I was sore and tired, but I fought through the pain and ended up doing four,” Funke said. “One of the best rewards in running is the feeling you get after finishing something you didn’t think you could do in the first place. All in all, I am so grateful for this experience. Being able to run with athletes who are on the US Navy cross country team is something I never imagined I would do. I not only grew as a runner from this experience, but I was exposed to daily life at the Naval Academy. After getting to see Induction Day and the incoming midshipmen while I was there, it is crazy to think that could be me next year.”
Funke and her teammates on Everest Girls Cross Country officially started the fall season on Aug. 12.
They compete this Saturday at the Michigan Catholic XC Invitational at St. Francis Retreat Center in DeWitt. Then, they compete in the Third Annual Trenton Watermelon Invitational at Elizabeth Park in Trenton, Aug. 29.
Funke is looking forward to making her fourth and final season at Everest the best one yet.

  cross country, Everest