Hadler Invite - Varsity 4th, JV 1st

Saturday was a day of many firsts as we attended the Matt Hadler Invitational in Menomonee Falls for the first time in school history. After a wrong turn, a U turn, and even a Y turn on a dead end road we finally arrived at a rain soaked Rotary Park. This was nothing new to our team as it was not nearly as wet or muddy as what we had experienced at Verona and we didn't know that the course was changed because we had never experienced the original course. Our team got focused and was prepared to show what they were made of against some of the teams from the southeast of Wisconsin. Our team showed our depth and capability this weekend as we got out at good paces for the first mile and then raced tough for the remainder of the races. If we continue to use this race strategy we will have many more successful meets this season. Our JV runners led the way placing 7 in the top 10 and scoring 24 points for the win. The Varsity capped it off with an impressive 4th place finish putting our top 5 runners within 21 seconds of each other and having the best #5 runner on the day. We get back to work this week in the classroom and at practice as we prepare to head north to see some good competition at the Smiley Invite.

The Hadler Invite was our first JV victory of 2018 and something we can hopefully repeat again this season. There was a lot of JMM green that got to the front of the race and competed for the individual victory. We were led to the finish by Sophomores Cole W (2nd - 17:43) and Sam S (4th - 17:47). Senior Peter S (5th - 17:59) broke 18:00 for the first time giving us 9 athletes on the day to accomplish this feat. Less than 30 seconds after our number 1 runner we had all 5 scorers across the line as Gavin H (6th - 18:11) and Jacob W (7th - 18:12) finished out our scoring 5 giving our team an impressive score of 24 points (had all the other teams been one team...they would have scored 35 points). Avery G (9th - 18:25) and Casey W (10th - 18:26) gave JMM 7 runners in the top 10. Our JV set the tone for the whole day as they were willing to get out at a good pace and competed really hard for each spot all the way to the finish. This not only led to a great performance with our top 7 but throughout all 48 who competed as we saw 35 new lifetime PRs. We also saw 5 freshman (Mick - 19:05, Reese - 19:09, Caleb - 19:27, Jake Z - 19:45, & Jakob M - 19:48) break the 20 minute barrier and now set their sights on going sub 19. Our hard work in practice is starting to show in meets and we can continue to see big time drops the second half of the season.

In the varsity race we got to see some good teams from the southeast as Hamilton is ranked #7 in the state of Wisconsin. Our group got out much better this week and were able to compete as a pack throughout the race. Our top 5 were separated by only 21 seconds (last week it was 51 seconds) and this tight pack gives us a chance against teams who might have better #1 runners. We put our #5 ahead of every teams #5 today but starting at 15th with our #1 put us at too large of a deficit to do any better than 4th place as a team. We have been training hard the finish of that race will come together as we get closer to the end of the season. Had we moved our whole pack just 5 - 10 seconds faster it would had saved us about 40 points...earning second. Imaad S led the team going sub 17 for the first time and having a great kick to earn a medal with his 15th place finish. Our next pack came in within 7 seconds of each other including Aidan P (27th - 17:12), Peter V (28th - 17:12), Aidan S (29th - 17:14), and Dylan A 31st - 17:20). Peter B (40th - 17:35) and Brett N (51st - 18:11) had great races beating 11 of the 15 teams # 5 runners (and many other top teams runners). This depth is important for our team as even Joey C our number 8 runner today would have been on 6 teams scoring 5. Today was a big step forward for our varsity as we get more experience for all of these runners and we learn to race after getting out hard and in good position. Next week we will see three ranked teams and hopefully we can show that we can compete with this level of competition.

As we start to reach the middle of the season it is very important that the athletes are doing everything they can to stay healthy. Being back at school introduces more germs, stress, and chance for illness. The grind of the season continues to introduce risk for injuries, soreness, and fatigue. Help each other out reminding each other to SLEEP, wash your hands, hydrate the entire day, stretch, take advantage of the ice bath, roll out your muscles, eat well and often, and SLEEP. The next two weeks are very important for how the end of our season will turn out. It will take a strong consistent effort over this time to guarantee continued fast time and PRs during championship season.



EVERY RUNNER - EVERY RUN - EVERY DAY

RESULTS
JV Boys - Individual - Team
Varsity Boys - Individual - Team

NEXT MEET
9/15 Saturday - Smile Invite
@ American Legion GC - Wausua, WI
Bus Departs - 5:30am (Arrive at 5:15am - Set TWO Alarms!)
8:30am - First Race
11:10am - D1 Varsity Boys (2017 Results)
11:35am - D1 JV Boys (2017 Results)
12:00pm - Awards (Varsity - top 2 teams & 20 individuals, JV top 1 team & 20 individuals)
*** Bring $...we will stop to eat***
We hope to return about 4:30pm

NEWS & NOTES
Clothing Order #1 is here....put your name in your items...(no word on order #2 yet)
$25 for JMM bucket hats...talk to Coach Casey
Tuesday Reports & Attendance checks start this week...get to class & get ahead on your work
SLEEP, HYDRATE, STRETCH, & EAT WELL....take care of your bodies!

UPCOMING EVENTS
Sept 9th - Ironman Volunteering (Optional) 12 - 4pm or 4 - 8 pm - Lot 60 UW Campus
Sept 17th - Team Pictures - 3:45pm