Merriconeag X-Country finally wrapped up their season with Jack's race at the New England Championship this past weekend. A beautiful late autumn day at Twin Brook in Cumberland- light wind and bright sun. Too bad the course hadn't recovered from Regionals. In fact, despite some slight re-routing, whole sections had devolved into muddy slop. Still, Jack executed a great race, sticking tight to familiar rivals and ultimately placing 12th overall- a huge improvement from last year's race.
Perhaps the best part of the day was having so many teammates, classmates and parents on hand to cheer Jack on all over the course.
Thanks for a great season and enjoy those turkey trots!
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Thursday, November 1, 2012
X-C Season Finale Event! November 6th!
Here's the low down on our end of season event coming up next Tuesday night, November 6th:
We will be starting at 7:00 PM at the Community Hall, Desert Rd campus. This year we are simplifying the event by offering celebratory desserts instead of dinner. I know there are a lot of very impressive bakers in our group! We need 3-4 volunteers to offer some delectable treats for the evening.
We also need just a couple of runners to come early to set up tables etc. Please let me know if you would like to help with either of these important tasks. I will take care of drinks/tea and paper products. Siblings are welcome, of course, and we should be able to wrap up by 8:00.
Look forward to seeing everyone there!
We will be starting at 7:00 PM at the Community Hall, Desert Rd campus. This year we are simplifying the event by offering celebratory desserts instead of dinner. I know there are a lot of very impressive bakers in our group! We need 3-4 volunteers to offer some delectable treats for the evening.
We also need just a couple of runners to come early to set up tables etc. Please let me know if you would like to help with either of these important tasks. I will take care of drinks/tea and paper products. Siblings are welcome, of course, and we should be able to wrap up by 8:00.
Look forward to seeing everyone there!
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
October Race Results
Congrats to Zach, Cesar and (future Merriconeag runner) Nick on their race in the Spooky 5K in Freeport on Sunday the 28th. Just one day after the State meet, Zach managed a 19:16 (so much for a recovery run). Cesar finished in 22:43, while Nick had a time of 19:45.
State Meet @ Belfast 10/27/12
The overnight trip to Belfast had most everything- face paint, co-op breakfast, late night facebook posts, bad tv shows, not one but two team dinners, an awesome pink t-shirt...
And a cross country race.
After the morning fog burned off, the afternoon had blue skies and balmy temperatures on what proved to be a dry, fast course. First to race for Merriconeag were Jack and Zach, who both had stellar races. In an anticipated repeat of the Regional meet, Jack battled it out with Josef from Telstar. After they shook off a few hangers-on at the mile mark, it was neck-and-neck with Jack and Josef trading off the lead...until Jack took decisive control of the race, with Josef on his shoulder. Soon after the two mile mark, Jack put on a surge, leaving Josef behind and giving him the win by a comfortable margin- not to mention the third-fastest finish of the day and a new (sub-16) PR. Zach also followed an accustomed plan, going out with a fast pack of familiar rivals and gradually moving into position for a strong 14th place finish and a new (sub-18) PR as well.
Next up was the girls' team. The start, much like the Festival of Champions, was very fast, and Zoe C-D went out hard, leading the Merriconeag runners for the first mile. She would end up finishing 21st overall, with a season-best time. Sam and Teagan caught up in the second mile, as both runners steadily moved up in the pack, picking off the competition. Sam finished 12th overall, with a new PR, while Teagan was 18th with another season-best time. Providing the real excitement of the day was the duo Carlin and Emelie, who as usual, worked together in the first mile. Carlin raced hard to the finish, sandwiched between Waynflete's #3 and #4. She was 31st overall, with a season-fastest time. Emelie out-kicked (out-leaned?) Waynflete's #5 by less than 0.1 of a second, finishing 43rd with another season's best time. Zoe O was next in at 51st, just two seconds off her all-time fastest race. Emma ran another solid race, finished up in 74th.
In the closest finish in Merriconeag's history, the girls were fourth- one point behind third place Waynflete and two points behind second place Orono. A disappointing loss, but with such great performances and a fun experience, no one could complain. We capped the day off with a surprise birthday cake for Zoe O and one last team dinner on the way home.
Thank you to all the parents, especially our chaperones, Tom and Lisa, our parent coordinator Sarah and our tireless athletic director Susan. Thank you also to all the non-competiting teammates who cheered us on, as well as friends, faculty and relations who made the trip.
We still have one race left- Jack will be competing at Twin Brook in the New England Championship on November 10th. Please come out to cheer him on!
Results for girls and boys can be found here.
And a cross country race.
After the morning fog burned off, the afternoon had blue skies and balmy temperatures on what proved to be a dry, fast course. First to race for Merriconeag were Jack and Zach, who both had stellar races. In an anticipated repeat of the Regional meet, Jack battled it out with Josef from Telstar. After they shook off a few hangers-on at the mile mark, it was neck-and-neck with Jack and Josef trading off the lead...until Jack took decisive control of the race, with Josef on his shoulder. Soon after the two mile mark, Jack put on a surge, leaving Josef behind and giving him the win by a comfortable margin- not to mention the third-fastest finish of the day and a new (sub-16) PR. Zach also followed an accustomed plan, going out with a fast pack of familiar rivals and gradually moving into position for a strong 14th place finish and a new (sub-18) PR as well.
Next up was the girls' team. The start, much like the Festival of Champions, was very fast, and Zoe C-D went out hard, leading the Merriconeag runners for the first mile. She would end up finishing 21st overall, with a season-best time. Sam and Teagan caught up in the second mile, as both runners steadily moved up in the pack, picking off the competition. Sam finished 12th overall, with a new PR, while Teagan was 18th with another season-best time. Providing the real excitement of the day was the duo Carlin and Emelie, who as usual, worked together in the first mile. Carlin raced hard to the finish, sandwiched between Waynflete's #3 and #4. She was 31st overall, with a season-fastest time. Emelie out-kicked (out-leaned?) Waynflete's #5 by less than 0.1 of a second, finishing 43rd with another season's best time. Zoe O was next in at 51st, just two seconds off her all-time fastest race. Emma ran another solid race, finished up in 74th.
In the closest finish in Merriconeag's history, the girls were fourth- one point behind third place Waynflete and two points behind second place Orono. A disappointing loss, but with such great performances and a fun experience, no one could complain. We capped the day off with a surprise birthday cake for Zoe O and one last team dinner on the way home.
Thank you to all the parents, especially our chaperones, Tom and Lisa, our parent coordinator Sarah and our tireless athletic director Susan. Thank you also to all the non-competiting teammates who cheered us on, as well as friends, faculty and relations who made the trip.
We still have one race left- Jack will be competing at Twin Brook in the New England Championship on November 10th. Please come out to cheer him on!
Results for girls and boys can be found here.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Article on Toughness
Just a link to this one, because it's quite long. You will hopefully recognize some of the things we've been talking about this season...
When It Gets Tough
When It Gets Tough
Looking forward to Belfast yet?
"The footing was really atrocious. I loved it. I really like Cross Country; you're one with the mud." -Lynn Jennings
Practice and Departure Time for Friday
Please be at Desert Road with all your gear and ready to practice at 12:30 (at the latest) tomorrow. We will leave for Belfast at 1.
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