A wonderful finish to our season...our 93.31 team time at the California State Finals is the tenth fastest all time in the history of the meet ,dating back to 1987, and earned our girls a third place finish in Division 1 AND the entire state of California. Our effort earned the girls consideration...we were in the conversation...for an at-large (two teams, Saugus and Esperanza, received automatic berths, we were third) to the Nike High School National Championships of Cross Country in Portland next weekend; however, we were not selected, losing out(by a point system thatawards teams points for defeating teams during the season that qualified forNTN) to four teams from Alabama, New York(2), and New Hampshire. The girlswere extremely disappointed upon hearing the news; nevertheless, this doesnot detract from a memorable season, from Seaside to State Finals. I can not state enough positive comments about the girls decorum andpreparation the entire weekend in Fresno. Focused, settled, determined, thegirls "managed the moment" of competing in a State Final to the utmost, andthe proof is in the results. Sure, we would have loved to have defeatedEsperanza, we were only seventeen points away. The fact is, Esperanza ranwell, very well as a matter of fact, and my hat is off to them. We offer no excuses, never will, and to the girls credit, all were gracious to Esperanzaat the award's stand. All week Mama Clemons and myself were confident ourteam would run well, we did just that, and I could not be prouder as a headc oach than I am today. A huge thank you to the athletes who arrived in Fresno, ten or so, to cheeron our athletes. It was much appreciated by the athletes, believe me. The girls also appreciated the loud cheering section...parents, friends, andfans...at the award's ceremony, three teams are accorded the privilege ofclimbing the award's stand, and we were one of them. I also appreciate the numerous phone calls, emails, and correspondence to myself from parents ofvarsity or non-varsity athletes that have offered congratulatory comments onour accolades. Thank you!!! To the girls who traveled to Fresno: Kristin Arkin(12), Ximena Cruz(11),Lindsay Enright(11), Lori Hoffman(11), Rachel Moore(12), Hayley Niles(11),Sabrina Rathor(11), and Makenna Smith(10)...congratulations. The future isbright with five of our seven runners who ran Saturday returning, and a slewof enthusiastic and talented juniors, sophomores, and freshmen on thehorizon. I expect the competition for the seven varsity spots to be intensein the 2008 season, and the returners will be told on Monday that there are284 days until the Seaside Invitational on Friday, September 12, and their preparation begins immediately. To our two departing seniors and captainswho competed in Fresno, thank you. Kristin and Rachel's exemplary leadershipwas one of the reasons for our success this season, not to mention each oftheir respective running prowess. I will miss, appreciate, and never forgetthe 2007 Trabuco Hills Girls' Cross Country team. You have set the bar forfuture teams, no THHS Girls' Cross Country program did it better, and thankyou for the memory.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
2007 CaliforniaState Finals
A wonderful finish to our season...our 93.31 team time at the California State Finals is the tenth fastest all time in the history of the meet ,dating back to 1987, and earned our girls a third place finish in Division 1 AND the entire state of California. Our effort earned the girls consideration...we were in the conversation...for an at-large (two teams, Saugus and Esperanza, received automatic berths, we were third) to the Nike High School National Championships of Cross Country in Portland next weekend; however, we were not selected, losing out(by a point system thatawards teams points for defeating teams during the season that qualified forNTN) to four teams from Alabama, New York(2), and New Hampshire. The girlswere extremely disappointed upon hearing the news; nevertheless, this doesnot detract from a memorable season, from Seaside to State Finals. I can not state enough positive comments about the girls decorum andpreparation the entire weekend in Fresno. Focused, settled, determined, thegirls "managed the moment" of competing in a State Final to the utmost, andthe proof is in the results. Sure, we would have loved to have defeatedEsperanza, we were only seventeen points away. The fact is, Esperanza ranwell, very well as a matter of fact, and my hat is off to them. We offer no excuses, never will, and to the girls credit, all were gracious to Esperanzaat the award's stand. All week Mama Clemons and myself were confident ourteam would run well, we did just that, and I could not be prouder as a headc oach than I am today. A huge thank you to the athletes who arrived in Fresno, ten or so, to cheeron our athletes. It was much appreciated by the athletes, believe me. The girls also appreciated the loud cheering section...parents, friends, andfans...at the award's ceremony, three teams are accorded the privilege ofclimbing the award's stand, and we were one of them. I also appreciate the numerous phone calls, emails, and correspondence to myself from parents ofvarsity or non-varsity athletes that have offered congratulatory comments onour accolades. Thank you!!! To the girls who traveled to Fresno: Kristin Arkin(12), Ximena Cruz(11),Lindsay Enright(11), Lori Hoffman(11), Rachel Moore(12), Hayley Niles(11),Sabrina Rathor(11), and Makenna Smith(10)...congratulations. The future isbright with five of our seven runners who ran Saturday returning, and a slewof enthusiastic and talented juniors, sophomores, and freshmen on thehorizon. I expect the competition for the seven varsity spots to be intensein the 2008 season, and the returners will be told on Monday that there are284 days until the Seaside Invitational on Friday, September 12, and their preparation begins immediately. To our two departing seniors and captainswho competed in Fresno, thank you. Kristin and Rachel's exemplary leadershipwas one of the reasons for our success this season, not to mention each oftheir respective running prowess. I will miss, appreciate, and never forgetthe 2007 Trabuco Hills Girls' Cross Country team. You have set the bar forfuture teams, no THHS Girls' Cross Country program did it better, and thankyou for the memory.
