Day 1 - 2021 Cross Country

I explained to you at practice that biggest difference between the Head Coach and the Assistants is the Head Coach schedules the bus trips.  I learned today that is not entirely true.  I spent most of my morning communicating with parents, student-athletes and school personnel trying to insure all were registered for the team and that physical exams were in the hands of our school nurse.  After countless emails just about everybody was in compliance and we started practice with teams of 30 Boys and 16 Girls.  Not overwhelming numbers but I'm very pleased with the kids who have decided to join us.  The grades of our student athletes breaks down like this:

Seniors - 6 Boys, 4 Girls

Juniors - 4 Boys, 2 Girls

Sophomores - 17 Boys, 6 Girls

Freshmen - 3 Boys, 4 Girls

There are some very experienced runners and quite a few with less experience but who show outstanding potential.  In the latter category for example L to R (Adrianna Kelly, McKenna McCarthy, Bobby Silva, Colin O'Sullivan, Shaine Mwicigi, Anne Tilley and Sydney Pires.)

I'm still hoping to pick up a few stragglers or kids cut from other teams and I urge you all to encourage others to give XC a try.  I promise it will be a rewarding experience for them.  Today following warmup, we separated into three general groups.  Group 1 consisted of those who have spent their summer training and have been running 4-5 miles, 6 days per week.                                                                                 

Today's Group 1

 

The other groups were comprised of (1) Boys who ran less than Group 1, and (2) Girls that ran less than Group 1.  Today Group 1 went 4-5 miles then headed to the weight room for about 45 minutes for both lower and upper body workouts similar to those they conducted all summer long.  Groups 2 and 3 ran easy and comfortably along our home course route covering about 3 miles.  Among groups 2 and 3 were a number of athletes who participated in our strength and conditioning sessions all summer but have not covered the same miles as Group 1.  Those athletes will be in the weight room tomorrow following another easy run on our course.

Tomorrow, as well as Wednesday and Thursday, promise to be steamy.  Make sure you hydrate and bring your water bottles to practice.  ALL athletes will remain on school grounds and it is expected that we will be taking numerous water and shade breaks throughout the practice.  A return to more seasonable weather is expected on Friday.  And Saturday promises to be perfect!

Just about everybody had a smile on his/her face following today's practice, including the coaching staff.  We were all impressed by you on Day 1, but we also know we'll see enormous improvement in all of you over the next few weeks.  I know it will be a memorable and enjoyable season.  Can't wait to get back at it.  See you at 2:30 for warm up.