Wow what a great year we had. We pretty much equaled our best year which was 2010. We did things this year we have never done in the history of our program. First time we took home both individual boys and girls title at a Meet and take the girls team title. First time we took a Sectional and beating Edgar in the process and finally placing 5th at State which puts us in the top tier of the state. We beat Lourde who took the Iola Sectional. Now looking at State for a moment several things are interesting. 2011 our ave. time was a 17:06 2012 16:38. That is pretty significant because of the better times we had better placings by each runner. Lets look at times and places.
Name place 2011 2012 place
Megan 16 15:49 15:33 12
Miranda 50 16:31 16:01 32
Alanna 113 17:54 16:56 74
Amanda 102 17:27 17:12 93
Catherine 17:26 105
Danielle 149 19:16 18:51 146
Teagen 19:16 148
John 42 17:27
Everyone had better times and better places. Alanna had the best race since last year. Kind of interesting looking at Teagyns and Danielles time and placing. Almost identical.
How about our seniors. Our four young ladies Megan, Miranda, Alanna and Amanda(yes I know I forgot you at Laona's pep rally sorry which is why I hate talking at pep rallies) who have carried our team these past four years. These seniors have made it exciting and rewarding for our sport. The Tarlton twins are a great story for running and I hope they continue at my alma mater UW-Milwaukee. The other set of twins are the shin splint sisters, Amanda and Alanna. They have suffered with alot of icing with their shins after each race, but not once did they ever give up. Catherine is our savior this year. We needed someone to come in as the 5th runner in order to go for a 4th time. Catherine was that person like Marissa P. did it for us 2 years ago as Marissa B. was injured. She helped us win at Wittenburg and Sectionals. Lets not forget Danielle who carried us when Catherine was not available. We still pulled a top half at Smiley because of the hard work Danielle put in at the race. It has been my sincere honor to have coached you these past four years. Keep on running.
Finally, many coaches look at success by the hardware they take home or if they go to state. Every year we plan on going to state and that is our goal. BUT, I also look at the success of a program as to what happens after the season. I started the cross country program because several students wanted a different sport, a lifetime sport and I have a passion for endurance sports. Lets face it, when a high school student ends football or volleyball that is it, unless they do it as an intramural in college. Cross country a person can continue until they die. When I hear that our former athletes continue with the sport it warms my heart. Like Elysia(Newtie) doing the Tough Mudder, others doing the Lakewood race, or a father starting to run because his daughter is doing it are great stories. Even a former runner doing an ad for Vibram toe shoes. Continue the success and continue running.
