ALHS Norris Stakes Claim as Top Distance Runner

Considering the lost some key performers from last year's state meet squad, the boys cross-country team was expected to be down this year.

That's what outsiders thought.

Instead, led by senior Trevor Norris who has become one of the area's top distance runners, they might be better than last year’s edition. Already the Shoremen have beat St. Edward High School, won a few invitationals, and along the way mustered themselves into the states top teams.

But don't try telling Norris that he is the reason Avon Lake has excelled. True he is burning up the paths, but for him, its all about team.

"It takes more than just me to do what we want to do," Norris said. "As a group we are going to go out there do what we can, and hopefully at the end of the day win.  We look at it as being fun."

Should the way Norris is burning up the trails come as any surprise. The answer to that is no. Former teammate Matt Marron, now running for Mt. Union said that Norris is one of the hardest workers he has ever met, and that he was a great training partner and helped propel him to new heights last season.

"It all comes down to last year. I had injuries and didn't really have the season I wanted to," Norris said. "So over the winter and summer I got the mileage on track and got back to where I thought I could be running as one of the top people in the conference.

Cross country is an outdoor sport, and unless there is a tornado or hurricane, the show goes on. Already this season Avon Lake's harriers have encountered a number of harsh elements, but Norris says they don't mind.

"I wouldn't say I like it," Norris said with a laugh. "But we run with it. We train in it year round, and it makes us tough as runners."

This weekend, the varsity runners catch a rare breaks as head coach Rob Jeurgans, whom Norris says is an amazing coach gets them in shape for the second season, which begins next Saturday at Lorain Community College with the SWC meet. The goals remains the same there, to win, which is exactly what Avon Lake has done the past two years.

From there, the Shoremen head to District action, which this year is different than the past, and from there hopefully regional and then state as a team once again.

"We have a good team and a great coach," Norris said.  "Of course we want to win a third SWC, but you can never count on anything in those other meets. This year we are in a different district. Two years ago, we missed going to state by two points, and last year we went. So that's the goal this year, to get back there as a team."

Personally, Norris' goals are simple.

"I'd like to place well in conference, hopefully place well in districts and qualify as one of the top guys in regionals," Norris said. "Then at states since this is my last year, let it all fly."