Fitch sets sights high for Fox Chapel cross country team

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, July 14, 2018 | 12:45 AM

Christian Fitch, a rising junior on the Fox Chapel cross country team, has high hopes for himself and his teammates this season.

“We definitely shocked a lot of people last year when we finished fifth in the WPIAL championships,” he said. “I think we can make a run at the top this year. We only lost one runner from last year, and we have a lot of good freshmen to add to the mix.”

Fitch, who has qualified for states in each of his first two seasons, along with finishing third in the 3,200 at the WPIAL championships this past spring, has set some lofty goals for himself.

“I want to be in the top three at WPIALs and also make a good showing at states,” he said.

Fitch has been running 40 miles a week this summer and will work his way up to 60 a week by the time the season starts. The recent spate of hot weather hasn’t impeded his workouts.

“When I know that it’s going to be extremely hot and humid, I try to run early in the morning or in the early evening,” he said.

“If I do run in the middle of a hot day, I know that the heat will take a toll, and I make sure I stay hydrated. I believe that running in the heat increases your toughness. I also do a weight program to help me get ready for the season.”

Fitch hasn’t started narrowing down his college choices yet, but he knows he wants to go to a school with a good sports medicine program.

“If they have a good med program, they’ll be on the list,” he said. “I also want to continue with track and cross country wherever I end up.”

He and his cross country teammates are looking ahead to the start of the season.

“We’re all confident that we can have some success this year and improve on last year,” he said, “and we’ll be working hard this summer.”

Marty Stewart is a freelance writer.