Stoughton Invite - Varsity = 5th, JV = 3rd

Since starting at the Stoughton Invite in 2007 it has always been a great test right before our championship season. The winner of the Stoughton Invite has regularly been contending for a state title and most years see at least three ranked teams at the meet. This year's version included Stevens Point (#1), Middleton (#2), Madison LaFollette (#3), Oconomowoc (#7), and our team which was ranked #16. Our team got to see the difference between being a ranked team and contending for a state title. We have a large group of guys coming back next season who can help us make the jump to the state contending team but for this season we had to be happy running well and taking 5th place at the invite. I think this race gave us a good reality check of where we are as we head into the final weeks of the 2019 season and look forward to our team stepping it up to reach our goals that are still attainable for this season.

Varsity started the day off for us and it was clear right away the difference between SPASH, Middleton, and LaFollette as they quickly put 5 - 7 runners in the lead pack. Our group found our way into the tail end of the lead pack with Oconomowoc and then the work begin. The varsity group raced real hard and hopefully learned from their experiences for this year and the future. The group was led to the finish by freshman AJ K in 17:08 (20th). Junior Dylan A earned a top 25 finish (24th) following in 17:18. Junior Bobby R was next in 31st with a time of 17:32. Sophomore Jake Z and senior Brett N pushed either other to the line finishing in 17:44 - 39th and 17:45 - 41st respectively. Junior Cole W and sophomore Henry B rounded out our top seven runners. It was nice to beat some conference foes like East and Parker and some sectional competition like Monona Grove and Waunakee. I think this group is hungry to keep improving and I think we have some better races in us still this season and look forward to what kind of off-season training can get this group ready to compete with the best in future seasons.

In JV we thought we could be more competitive with Middleton but today they had a much better day than our team. Not sure if it was training, race strategy, or just they are simply better but we will get to see them one more time at the Big 8 Conference meet and I think we can give them a better race to finish the season. Two weeks ago we got handily beat by a strong SPASH JV program and today we came close to beating them (only losing by 3 points). This group keeps getting better and hopefully the last two weeks we are at our best. Junior Aidan P led our JV kids today with a strong 2nd place finish in 17:40. We then had a large gap today (which is why Middleton beat us) but or next group came in nice is tight. This tight group needs to mover closer to the front of the race. Sophomore Mick S (18:03) led seniors Jacob W (18:11) and Peter B (18:20) to top twenty finishes. While junior Charles ML (18:36) gave us five scorers in the top 30. Our JV kids have raced better this season and we look for improved focus during championship season so we run at our best regardless of the course, conditions, or competition.

As we enter the final meets it is important we continue to take care of the little things. Get to class on time, stay on top of your schoolwork, and make sure your grades are good. Get some sleep at night, wash your hands, eat/drink well, and stay healthy. Take care of your legs/body, stretch, ice, and avoid injuries. Time for JMM to shine. Every Runner. Every Run. Every Day.

RESULTS
Varsity
JV

NEXT MEET
Friday October 11th
Madison City Championships @ Lake Farm Park - Madison, WI
Please Note Race Time Adjustment
Early Release - 1:45pm
Bus - 2:00pm (ONE WAY BUS)
3:30pm - First Race
4:00pm - Boys Varsity (2018 Results)
5:10pm - Boys JV (2018 Results)
5:45pm - Awards - Varsity = top 10 individuals, JV = top 10 individuals
***One way bus....all athletes will need to plan for a ride home after the awards ceremony***

NEWS & NOTES
- Practice Saturday October 12th @ Verona Park & Ride (Military Ridge Trail) 8:00am - 9:15am
- JV athletes last practice will be Monday October 21st
- Championship season...two races left for JV, varsity has three races and a chance to earn a fourth