How Charlie Bennett overcame health issues to get back to top form in cross country
Charlie Bennett is back.
The Ames senior spent his junior year battling COVID-19 complications that prevented him from competing at 100% in both cross country and track. It was a huge setback for Bennett, who qualified for the state cross country meet individually as a sophomore, and a Little Cyclone boys cross country team that finished just short of qualifying last fall.
"It has been frustrating at times," said Ames Coach Ravi Bhave. "They thought they had something figured out, but then he'd take two steps back."
Eventually, Bennett's health issues began to dissipate. He was able to do a good amount of training over the summer.
"I had to have patience," Bennett said. "I couldn't rush back from a long-term sickness. I had to take it slow and know it was going to come day by day."
On Monday, that training and resolution paid off. Bennett ran a 5-kilometer time of 16 minutes, 14.3 seconds to place 15th overall in the loaded boys field.
"I haven't felt this good in a long time," Bennett said.
Bennett's time was over 28 seconds faster than his 2021 qualifying time.
"I'm happy where we're starting this year," Bhave said. "I think we're going to keep progressing and getting stronger throughout the season. Having him healthy and back to the old Charlie that we know is good for everyone."
Bennett credited teammates Erik Anderson and Brennen Bhave for pushing him during practices to help get him ready for the start of the season.
"They've been right there with me working their tails off," Bennett said. "They've gotten better every practice. Hearing them behind me, I know their work is paying off and it motivated me to run as hard as I could."
Anderson and Brennen Bhave both finished close behind Bennett on Monday. Anderson placed 23rd in 16:28.5 and Brennen 26th in 16:34.5.
"We do this all the time at practice," Brennen Bhave said. "This is the best team I could ask for. It makes me feel so much stronger knowing they're out here doing the same work as me."
Anderson is a senior classmate of Bennett's. He was moved by Bennett's determination to overcome his health issue.
"It was really inspiring," said Anderson. "It helped push me a lot seeing he was coming back and getting better, and that I could be close to his level."
Brennen Bhave is Ravi's son. He is starting his junior season.
Brennen is glad to see Bennett back leading the way for his team
"It honestly made me sad when I saw what happened to him," Brennen Bhave said. "It was rough, but he's gotten so much stronger. I'm really proud of him."
Bennett may be pleased with his opening performance. But he is far from satisfied.
He did not fight through his illness just to come back for one meet.
"I just want to keep getting better every meet and help my team get better," Bennett said. "Hopefully we can get our team to state and hopefully I can get myself on the podium."
Joe Randleman covers high school sports for the Ames Tribune. Contact him atjrandleman@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at@JoeRandleman
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Ames' Charlie Bennett opens the 2023 cross country season in top form
