Scott City runners start a tradition in just two years

The Scott City boys cross country program is a perfect two for two.

The program only has been in existence for two seasons and the Rams have qualified for the Class 2 state meet as a team both years.

Scott City advanced to the state meet last season, finishing second in districts on a sixth man tie-breaker. This year the Rams took second outright.

Impressive for a newly created program.

"We just have some really good kids that come in work hard every day they're here," Scott City coach Travis Schiwitz said. "We're blessed to have a lot of kids that try real hard."

Scott City standout Brandon Shemonia admits that it isn't always easy getting people to come out for a sport that requires so much running but is impressed with the early success.

"It's awesome," Shemonia said. "It took a lot of recruiting. We had to tell guys it's good to get in shape for basketball to try getting them out here. A lot of people didn't want to do it because of football. I think it's awesome. It is the second year, and two years in a row going [to state] is impressive."

The Rams are hoping the experience of last year's meet will pay off.

"Obviously last year was a good experience just making it," Schiwitz said. "We got to go on a tiebreaker last year. That was exciting. We got some different kids out there this year that have had running experience."

The Rams have found a way to surpass expectations, competing in a grueling sport that requires more determination and hard work than raw talent.

Sophomore Jesse Sanders and junior Luke Keesee were quick to praise Schiwitz for their success.

"It's good coaching," Keesee said. "He gives us speeches all the time."

Added Sanders: "He knows exactly what we need to do and gets us through it. He's a good motivator."

Shemonia credits another source for success in addition to coaching.

"I think it's our training," Shemonia said. "We have a really good training program and we stick to it. We put in good mileage."

The Rams' training is the same concept each week but with different workouts.

The runners start the week with hard workouts Monday and Tuesday before having a medium day Wednesday.

Then the Rams follow up with recovery days on Thursdays and Fridays to get them ready for the weekend race.

"At practice you just need to push each other," Shemonia said. "You have to stick together. It's a good team sport."

The Rams have a tight-knit group, which makes workouts and races more pleasurable.

"We hang out a lot," Sanders said. "It's big [for success] because it's a pretty big team sport."

Schiwitz tries to encourage the camaraderie of his runners, admitting it's a vital part to the team.

"I would say all of them are real good friends," Schiwitz said. "Every one of them are. They are definitely a diverse group and definitely a handful at times. But there's not any one kid out there that's more important than the other. They know they have to do good for each other to succeed."

Having such a diverse group sometimes can be tricky, but Schiwitz has a method.

"I look at each one of them differently because every one of them are different," Schiwitz said. "Just like yesterday in our practice, we did three different things. You almost have to individualize it for every kid and pay attention and talk to them every day and ask them how they feel."

Standing out amongst the diverse group is Shemonia.

The junior finished second at the state meet as a sophomore. He captured the district crown this season by more than 20 seconds.

"He does a good job getting everybody to compete hard," Schiwitz said. "He sets the example every day. They see him going hard so they try hard."

Scott City is looking to improve on last year's 14th-place finish at the state meet.

"I'm estatic about what we've done so far," Schiwitz said. "Optimistically the goal is to bring home a state trophy. That and just to run the best we can. That's our ultimate goal."