Nearing the EndOur district week was filled with plenty of memories. From spirit theme days to pumpkin carving, nice and sunny days, wet and nasty ones, two trips to Oak Ridge, and some nice hardware. A full recap and photos from Districts will be up tomorrow, but for now enjoy some pictures from the rest of the week! Practice Going ForwardWith winter sports starting this week, questions sometimes arise about cross country runners who are doing winter sports. Those who qualified for state should continue coming to cross country practice this week, even if they are participating in winter sports. They will be excused from winter sports practices until November 11. Anyone participating in a winter sport who did not qualify for state individually or as part of the team should go ahead and attend practices for those sports starting Monday (11/3). Those who did not qualify for state but who aren't participating in winter sports are welcome to continue attending practice this week. However, attendance is optional. The Week AheadMonday 11/3 (3:30-5:15PM): Easy Run/Strides at School Tuesday 11/4 (3:30-5:30PM): Race-Pace Workout at Course Wednesday 11/5 (3:30-5:00PM): Recovery Run/Fun Day at Park Thursday 11/6 (3:30-5:15PM): Easy run and strides at Blechle Park Friday 11/7 (7:30AM): Team Mass, Send-Off, Travel to Columbia Saturday 11/8 : State Meet (More Info Below) State Meet PreviewThis is it. Our last meet of the season. The state meet is always a unique experience. There is no course in the state like the one at Gans Creek Recreation Area in Columbia. Opening in 2019, it is the home course for the University of Missouri and the site of this year's NCAA Division I National Championships. As a permanent course, it is designed with two overlapping loops, a shorter 2K loop and a larger 3K loop. This makes the course flexible enough to accommodate a number of different race distances. There are digital scoreboards at every kilometer and a giant one at the finish. The meet features live updates at every kilometer and even commentators during the races. For a 5K, athletes run the shorter loop first, which concludes back at the starting line. The third kilometer is then a repetition of the first kilometer before the course shifts to the longer loop. This loop also ends back near the start, with the finish stretch extending straight rather than turning toward the starting line. To fit the large number of athletes in races, the course is incredibly wide, more than 80m at the start and 10m the rest of the way. For most spectators, the best place to watch is near the finish line, as it also gives a view of the starting line and will see the athletes come through in the middle of the race. Unfortunately it will also be insanely crowded with other fans, so let the claustrophobic be warned. For the die-hard fans, the middle of the big loop is no-man's land. This is where the race is won or loss, and it helps runners to have support back there.  As for the races, Classes 3-5 will have already run on Friday, leaving only Classes 1-2 for Saturday. The Class 1 races are first, with the boys racing at 9:00AM followed by the girls at 9:45AM. Each race will feature 16 qualifying teams, 4 from each district. The top 30 individuals from each district will also qualify. In theory that means as many as 234 athletes in each race. However, in reality the number is usually closer to the 150-200 range in Class 1. The top 30 athletes in each race will be recognized as all-state, and the top 4 teams will earn trophies and a spot on the podium.  Admission for the meet for all spectators is $12. Tickets must be purchased in advance online here and must either be printed or opened on one's phone to be scanned at the gate. There is no option to pay at the gate. State Athlete SignsThe tradition has been for parents of athletes who qualified for state to make yard signs from posterboard with their athlete's name and photos. These can be placed in the grass next to the church in front of the rectory the morning of the sendoff and should be removed following the sendoff. State SendoffThe sendoff for state will be on Friday, November 7. All athletes traveling to state with the team will meet at school at 7:30 to load the bus and take pictures. We will then attend the 8AM Mass as a team. Following Mass we will prepare for departure. Students from both the elementary and high schools will line the sides of Rosati Court. At 9:15 athletes will walk down Rosati before boarding the bus at the bottom of the street. First responders will then escort the bus to the interstate. State ItineraryBeyond what has been shared elsewhere in this newsletter, the itinerary for the trip to the state meet will be finalized with the input of athletes at practice this Monday. At that point it will be shared with parents. Last Call for State Shirts/HoodiesState shirts/hoodies are still available to purchase. The official artwork has been completed and is available below. Shirts are $19 and hoodies are $35. Orders will close at 3pm on Sunday 11/2. Orders can be placed here. Payment is due on Tuesday 11/4.  End of Season Team DinnerEach year we hold a end-of-season Christmas family potluck dinner. This is one last opportunity for our team to gather. Gag gifts are presented to all athletes by coaches, real gifts are given to seniors by the rest of the team, and everyone shares photos, memories, and a good time. This is open to athletes, parents, and siblings. This year the Nations have once again graciously agreed to host the dinner at their place (800 Allen Landings Road). Sundays have historically avoided the most conflicts, and in looking at the calendar, November 23 looked better than the other options. We will plan to begin eating at 6pm. Drinks (water, Powerade, and Body Armor will be provided, as will plates and utensils. You may use the link below to RSVP and list the food item(s) you plan to bring. Comments are closed.
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