2012 WIAA State Championships

The WIAA held its 2012 State Championships this Saturday at the Ridges Golf Course in Wisconsin Rapids, WI. This was the 25th year the event was held at the Ridges and the 100th running of State Cross Country. Many dignitaries were on hand to help celebrate the 100th anniversary including Madison Memorial's very own 3-time State Champion Phil Downs. Additionally, Madison Memorial athletes who attended the meet were able to spend some time talking with Phil and state meet course record holder Chris Solinsky. The weather was perfect for cross country on Saturday and the course was in great shape. The competition helped lead to amazing races, performances, and times throughout all the divisions.

Although JMM did not have any competitors at the state meet this year we were able to learn a lot about where our team ranks in the state. As we have talked about all year long, we do not shy away from competition and being in the city of Madison and the Big 8 Conference we can not avoid competition. When we learn to be competitive at the city, conference, and sectional level by default we will be competitive at state. Our last team trip to state (2009) the boys team was able to finish 2nd at city, 2nd at conference, and 1st at sectionals...this team took 6th (out of 20 teams) at that 2009 State Championships. At the 2012 championships the Madison City was represented by Madison West (state champions) and Madison LaFollette (state runner ups). Additionally, our conference was represented by Janesville Craig (7th place) and two of six podium positions by Ryan Nameth (Verona) in 3rd and Chandler Diffee (LaFollette) defending state champion and 5th this year. Overall our first team all-conference (top 7 guys) finished in the top 26 at state...all being recognized as all state runners. Teams that beat JMM at the start of the season (when we were semi-healthy) LaFollette (2nd), West (1st), Craig (7th), Baraboo (15th), and Wisconsin Lutheran (3rd in D2). Teams that we got beat by in the middle/end of the season (when we were missing some more key components) Stevens Point (3rd), Eau Claire Memorial (10th), Kimberly (12th), Wausau East (16th), a plethora of teams at Midwest. What does all this mean? If we can go to our invitationals all season long and be competitive, we will be ready at the end of the season to compete at state. Also, it means it is easy for us next year to compare to kids who were at state this year in our 2013 invites and see where we are ranking and how we need to improve.

RESULTS - (look at mile splits and places...very telling/interesting)
Boys Division One
All State Meet Results

More pictures added to Picasa Web Album (almost have them all up now)

UPCOMING EVENTS
November 1st - End of Season Banquet @ Rocky's - 5:30pm (RSVP to jmmcc@rocketmail.com)
November 6th - Begin Winter Speed & Strength Training - 3:45pm (lower weightroom)
November 7th - End of 1st quarter (get in all assignments, be ready for tests, end the quarter strong)
December 1st - Boys Cross Country WORKS Basketball Concessions - 5:00pm - 9:00pm