Madison Memorial Boys Cross Country

Madison Memorial Boys Cross Country

Saturday, September 19, 2015

Smiley Invite - Varsity = 1st, JV = 2nd

1st Place - Smiley D1 Varsity

The buses were loaded before the sun could come up, the team traveled over 2.5 hours to Wausau before most people had their Saturday morning breakfast, and on a sunny fall day the Madison Memorial boys took on 22 teams from all corners of Wisconsin in the 59th annual Smiley Invitational. After racing 5k on a difficult former state meet course the boys stormed Stevens Point local eating establishments and viewed/recited multiple Office episodes. During the day multiple PRs and season bests were run, the JV competed tough against one of the best JV programs in the state, and the Varsity team won its first Smiley Invite title. This is what high school cross country is all about and today the Madison Memorial Spartans excelled because of the work they have done throughout the season. As we head into the second half of the season the team is rounding into great shape and look forward to continuing great success.

The strength of our varsity this season has been our ability to run as a team. This was tested on Saturday against some tough competition but the team rose again to the occasion. The varsity scored 72 points to beat Stevens Point by 6 points. Both Madison Memorial & Stevens Point averaged a 17:03 for their scorers and had a total time of 1:25.12 but our top 5 runners were separated by 35 seconds were as the competitions spread was 1 minute 5 seconds. Our group was again led by Jonas B (7th - 16:46) and Luke V (9th - 16:51) who earned top 10 finishes with there sub 17 minute times. Casey GT (16th - 17:06) and Trevor R (18th - 17:08 PR) worked together throughout the race to stay in the top 20. Our #5, 6, 7, & 8 runners were the best of any team in the race and did a wonderful job of moving through the pack throughout the race. Austin W (17:21 - 22nd) & Jack Z (17:27 - 24th) finished strong as Zach H (17:44 - 36th) got this group out in a good position and Dom G (17:57 - 53) gave us 8 runners under 18 minutes (Stevens Point had 7 runners sub 18 where as the next best was 5 runners). The varsity team beat some very strong programs and continues to improve each meet.

From the start of the JV race our guys knew they were in for a strong battle from a very young but talented Stevens Point JV squad. Our team was missing a few key components but again the guys who were in the race stepped up to compete at a high level. We fell short to beating Stevens Point by 11 points but we will have an opportunity to compete against them again in two weeks at Stoughton. This race should be motivation for our JV guys to want to improve every day at practice to finish the last month of the season strong. The JV was led by Jared G (18:15 PR - 3rd) who ran with the lead pack throughout the entire race. Gabe B (18:25 - 5th) and Davis B (18:26 PR - 6th) closed the last mile great to get into the top 10 while Ty B (18:35 - 11th) just missed but still ran great. Frosh Peter V (18:50 PR - 18th) broke the 19 minute barrier rounding out the top 5 scorers. Ben T (18:50 - 19th) and Eli T (18:56 - 23rd) gave us 7 runners in the top 25. In addition to these great races we had PRs run by Imaad S (1:57), Zane R (1:48), Garrett K (1:45), Joey DR (1:11), Richard T (1:11), Liam H (:57), James B (:52), Peter S (:34), Stryder C (:31), Adrian A (:16), Martin V (:05), Elliot B (:03), Ameya K (:03), & Kyle W (:02). We look forward to more PRs each week as we run on some "faster" courses and hopefully get some more good cross country weather.

Things are getting busy both at practice and in school...take care of business to stay eligible, healthy, and ready to compete. If you need help in the classroom make sure to ask your teachers or classmates NOW for help to ensure you don't fall behind this quarter. Get some sleep, eat healthy, hydrate, stretch, and sleep so we are at our best each day to perform and the end of the season will be a positive and fun experience.

SMILEY INVITE RESULTS
Varsity D1 Combined
Varsity D1 Large
JV D1 Combined

NEXT COMPETITION
Saturday Sept 26th
Midwest Invitational @ Blackhawk GC - Janesville, WI
Bus - 6:45am
9:00am - First Race
9:40am - Boys Frosh/Soph (top 7 fr/so runners) (2014 runners)
10:55am - Boys Varsity (top 7 runners) (2014 Results)
12:10pm - Boys JV (all other eligible & healthy runners) (2014 Results)
12:45pm - Middle School 1 mile race (4th - 8th grade siblings/friends)* (2014 results)
Awards (Fr/So - 2 teams & 20 individuals Var - 3 teams & 30 individuals, JV - 20 individuals)
Bring $$$...we will stop to eat on the way home!

* 4th - 8th Graders who are sibling/friends of Memorial athletes or attend Memorial feeder schools can compete in a mile cross country race at 12:45pm representing JMM...to be entered in the race, parents must contact Coach Casey (crhopp@hotmail.com) by Wed 9/23 before 11:00am with athletes Name, Gender, Grade in School...(NO cost this year) ...it is the responsibility of each family to provide transportation for their Middle School athlete(s) to and from the meet and to provide their own race day attire*

NEWS & NOTES
CHANGE OF VENUE - Please note the Big 8 Grade Level Challenge on Tuesday September 29th hosted by Madison East will be held at Lake Farm Park

Carpooling - Families interested in participating in a cross country carpool for practice &/or meets should contact Sherri Swartz (sherrribeth@gmail.com) - whether you are willing to drive or just looking for help with rides

UPCOMING EVENTS
Wed Sept 23rd - Light of Life Walk @ JMM - 6:00pm - 6:45pm (required for athletes...families are welcome to join) $5 donation towards Cancer Research - turn in to Casey ASAP

Order JMM Cross Country Clothing

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