The Noblesville boys cross country team is ranked second in the coaches poll and has won big tournaments this season such as the Hamilton County and Hoosier Crossroads Conference championships. (Photo provided)
By QUINN MATTHEWS
quinn@readthereporter.com
Fueled by camaraderie and determination, the Noblesville Boys Cross Country team runs not just for victory, but for each other.
Currently ranked second in the Indiana state polls, the Millers have already claimed titles as both Hamilton County Champions and Hoosier Crossroads Conference champions. They continue to pick up awards season after season, showcasing the dedication and effort they put into their training and performance.
The team’s success is built on four key pillars: talent, dedication, durability, and courage. Each summer, qualifying runners attend a week-long camp, known to the boys as Monster Island, where they strengthen these values through running, games, and team-building activities. This annual experience not only enhances their endurance and performance but also helps form lasting bonds beyond the course.
“The heat combined with traditions like getting up at 4 a.m. to run creates a challenging environment that calls for physical and mental toughness. But that suffering as a team is what has created the culture that defines the Noblesville Cross Country program,” said a Noblesville Cross Country runner, John Libs
For the coaching staff and team, building caring relationships among teammates is what it’s all about.
“To have a team as good as we are, I think you need to really care about each other. I think that’s very true about our team, we really do care about each other. Whether they’re breaking 16 minutes or barely breaking 20, it’s the enjoyment of each other that separates us from a lot of teams,” said Noblesville head coach Bill Kenley.
Outside of Monster Island and practices, these runners spend almost all their time together. One of their weekly season traditions for building team community is Friday night spaghetti dinner. This event the night before a meet not only fuels the runners with a hearty meal but also strengthens the sense of camaraderie among teammates.
“When you’re part of something that is so focused on personal results, it’s easy to lose track of the most valuable part of high school sports, and that is your friendships with your teammates. Spaghetti dinners do a nice job of bringing guys together to do this,” said Libs.
This close-knit team constantly encourages each other to be the best they can be. Sharing kindness throughout the team is a top priority for them.
“We [the coaches] got a nice note from a dad the other day saying thanks for being kind and encouraging to my son, but it made me think because I don’t talk to his son very often. What he’s talking about is all the guys on our team and encouragement given out on the bus and when they’re out running without me. Our team has really taken on that kind of support for their fellow runners and I’m proud of them for that. I can’t make them do that, they do it,” said Kenley.
Their shared positivity drives this team’s strong work ethic and determination. As they head toward the state competition, they are ready to accept whatever comes from it.
“One of the things I always want to do is be happy on the bus ride home. If you’re as competitive as we are, it’s not easy. I hope that the guys would recognize that what we got out of it was those friendships that you can only get through struggling with other people when taking on hard things,” said Kenley.
