cross country is really great because you dont have to be the very best, and ull still make the team. Cross country teams need some people running that are more there to place well and get in the way of the competition. When i was in 9th grade, i was a middle of the pack runner. my coach always picked a fast girl for me to "bug". So my job was to, at the start of the race, simply get in her way, and then stay with her for as long as i could. this does 2 things, encourages you to run faster and also throws her off a little. every corner i would try to get in her way so she would have to run around me...taking more time.