For Idabel senior Victor Jefferson, success begins long before the starting gun ever fires. “My personal goal heading into the season is having a good mindset. One of my main goals for this year would be to make it to state, having a goal time around 17:30,” Jefferson said.

He believes this season carries a special energy. “The team we have this year is going to be one to remember, having an additional runner that run really well. The mindset we have going into each practice, or a meet is we show up and get to work,” he said. That commitment has already paid off. “The biggest improvement I’ve seen so far is taking practice more seriously. With our times getting better, the team pushes hard every time we run.”

The group has its sights set on big goals. “Our goal by the end of the season is to hopefully make it to state with our top 7 runners,” Jefferson explained. Along the way, he feels the team’s connection is just as important as their times. “The team’s biggest strength right now is getting our bond closer while getting in the work, making it the season to remember,” he said.

As a senior, he carries an added responsibility. “I am a senior so I should be the one making everyone better and to have a good attitude all into the season. I am a big part of the team because your attitude impacts the team’s morale, training, and overall score,” Jefferson said.

His race-day preparation is simple but effective. “Before a race, I would drink a little bit of water, stretch, then I would jog around for about five minutes, then I would get ready to start,” he explained. Once the competition begins, his mentality takes over. “My mindset when I step on the track is to embrace the pain, expect the tough moments and when they come, see them as a sign you’re exactly where you need to be.”

Looking ahead, Jefferson is determined to leave his mark. “When I graduate, I want to have a gritty legacy. When things got tough, injury, bad race, tough workouts, I am not folding. I pushed through and showed others how to respond to adversity. I want to hopefully be one of Idabel’s cross-country runners that have ran after high school,” he said.

Through it all, one thing remains clear for him and his teammates. “No matter how the outcomes turnout, we will always be proud of one another, cheering them on as they cross the finish line.”