A cross-country team has to stick together. With the dedication needed to be a runner, a team makes all the drudgery and difficulty worth it. Here are the ways Columbia College's Cross Country team is keepin' it tight, like a second family.

1. They have a mom

..and like seven dads..

There's a role that each member of the team plays and all are necessary for the group dynamic. Even crazy Uncle Chester. Leading the pack through traffic, making fun of a terrible workout, sharing running secrets, knowing the stats of all runners ever: all of these are so essential to the team functioning. Every person, in personality and ability, contributes to the chemistry that is team.

2. No shame

During a 6am workout there is exhaustion, dripping sweat, blown noses and a lot of spitting. Team members see each other at their very worst, and very best: through victory and failure. This brings people together in a way that is different from any other relationships.

3. Every. Day.

A team spends a portion of nearly everyday with each other, stretching, running, working, talking. Some days they will be so loud and rambunctious, other days everyone is quiet and tired. Just like a blood family, there are times when the whole team gets along, and other times when everyone wants to get away.

4. The roasts

True team initiation is being the subject of a roast. It will be the first of many, and it's all in good fun; but just like a family, no one holds back. Like a competitive brother or sister, the team will make everyone aware of who had a bad workout or stayed up too late last night. Back to number 2, there is no shame, and there usually are no secrets for very long. All will eventually be revealed during one of countless roasts.

5. The bond

In a family, everyone puts up with each other because of the shared name and story. The same is true for the Cross Country team. Everyone proudly wears the team name and shares running as part of their identity. To work hard together, to be tired together, to eat breakfast together, this is what it means to be a team.

Here's to a great season, family. Let's kill it.