Ike Everard is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Chandler High School for AZPreps365.

Chandler High School at 5:28 in the morning is a ghost town.

Empty busses idle in the parking lot, the black sky looming overhead. Literal crickets chirp, cutting through the darkened silence.

Yet, deep in the shadows of Austin Field, Sarah Plant and the Chandler cross country team prepare for their daily practice. The team heads out for their morning run, leaving their bags next to the shuttered concessions stand.

For Plant, the practice is part of a routine that is anything but.

“It’s kind of difficult. I’m here at five in the morning. School ends at 2:15 then I’m here till 3:30 or 4,” Plant said.

Along with being a member of the swim, cross country and track teams, Plant competes all over the country in various triathlons. Her experience makes her a natural fit to lead the team, a role she is slowly getting used to.

“She’s growing into it,” head coach Matt Lincoln said. “She’s a junior now so we don’t normally look for that from the underclassmen. Starting this year and next year hopefully she’ll develop more of a leadership role.”

Even Plant shows some reluctancy to step up.

“Honestly I’m still kind of getting used to it. I’m always used to being the younger person in the group but now that its junior year I can see where the younger kids are coming from and help them out,” Plant said.

Despite her feelings about her role, Plant’s dedication to the team is unquestioned.

Lincoln recounts a tale from last year when Plant ran a triathlon on a Friday but wouldn’t let him pull her from the team’s race the next day.

“I think she ran even ran a PR (personal record)… so she’s a tough kid,” Lincoln said.

Her teammates also notice her dedication to the sport.

“She’s always super consistent and every time during the warmup she does the maximum possible,” senior Carlos Arryo said. “She always does one more rep and she stays super consistent and focused.”

Arryo added that Plant has taken it upon herself to correct bad warmup habits among the girls team.

At 6:23 a.m., the sky brightens and the runners take to the track performing various warmups between laughs and banter. Still, it is clear that other runners look up to Plant.

“Some of them aren’t used to doing the type of work that we do here so motivating them and telling them that they can do it and keep up with everyone is definitely a big part of it,” Plant said.

Her experience motivates the runners, adding credibility to her words.

“Last year our leadership was kind of weak and I’m hoping this year we can lead the team to a better place,” Arryo said.

Plant is set to lead that charge on and off the track. Lincoln made clear her drive is as evident in the classroom as it is at the meets.

“I think her GPA is four point something. She’s a great example of just being able to balance sports as well as the academic side. Pretty much exactly what you look for in a student athlete,” Lincoln said.

Still, the grueling schedule isn’t as easy as Plant makes it look.

“It is a lot,” Plant said. “I get home then its eating, homework and then sleep.”

Even if Plant is hesitant to step into her new role as a leader, it is clear she has been positively impacting the team for some time now.

“Being a team leader doesn’t mean that you command the troops,” Arryo said. “It means that you run right there with them and that when you get on the line, you’re able to trust the person beside you.”