Full Write Up
VIDEO
D1 Boys Race
NEWS & NOTES
End of Season Celebration - 5:45 on Wed Nov 6th @ Memorial in the Wisconsin Study Hall
Off seasons are when good teams become great teams...what can you do individually to make our team better?
NEXT COMPETITION
Saturday August 30th
VPM Team Intrasquad
Will you be ready?
On Saturday the WIAA sent us on a 1/2 trip (no it shouldn't be that long but we took the scenic route?) to Verona for our Sectional competition. We have competed on the course before which is a great course but also a challenging race, especially for a meet where a birth to the state meet is on the line. Our guys were ready for the day and the weather for the most part cooperated. Race leader Manny P (#1 ranker runner in the nation) set a hot early pace and things immediately got stretched out. As the race went on it looked like Will L-S had put himself solidly into a state qualifying position and Nick & Berndt had setup our race plan to be ready for a feverish chase the last mile of the course. The long hill on this course leads you to the 2 mile mark and it took its toll on a lot of runners today, including a couple Spartans. Will L-S came through looking good and cruised to a 3rd place finish qualifying for his second straight WIAA State meet. Nick Z came out of the woods charging but looked like maybe he had left himself too much work to do in the last mile. Undaunted, he ran down guys just like we planned and headed into the last hill of the course with just one more group to pass. Catching them in the woods he came off the hill with momentum heading to the finish line easily distancing himself from the other individual qualifiers by over 8 secs...what a great last mile. There was a bit of panic as we realized Middleton had put 6 runners in front of West's 4th runner but West had done enough to take second and Nick's plan worked out perfectly to punch his first ticket to the WIAA State meet. Berndt battled hard through the last mile to help our team save each point while fellow underclassmen Max B and Anthony L helped guide our team to a 6th place finish. 4 of our 5 scoring runners will be back to help this team in the future and gained valuable racing experience today at a Sectional meet. Seniors PJ M and Finn A completed great 4 year careers at Memorial representing our varsity. Our alternates for the meet were Ian G, Jack C, & Jamie I who all had great seasons for the Spartans. THANK YOU to all the runners, families, & alumni who came out and cheered on the guys...it helped us have such a great race. Will & Nick head off to Wisconsin Rapids next week (would love to see some Green & White cheering them on their too) to keep a great streak of Spartan racers competing at the pinnacle race of the season. This will be the first time since 2016 that we have had multiple runners in the race and we are excited to see what they can do at State.
RESULTS
Verona Sectional Results
All Sectional Results
NEXT COMPETITION
Saturday November 2nd
WIAA State Meet @ Ridges GC in Wisconsin Rapids (Course)
Van - 10:30am
12:00pm 1st Race
1:20pm - D1 Girls Race
3:10pm - D1 Boys Race (2024 Results) (Box 24 for Will & Nick)
3:45pm - Awards - top 2 teams & top 10 individuals
SPECTATOR INFORMATION
Come watch some great cross country & cheer on Will & Nick at the WIAA State Meet
Tickets = $9 (+ processing fee)...must be purchased in advanced & on a mobile device
Parking & Shuttles = $5 (pay with cash) per car --> Arrive early to park & ride shuttle to the course (come watch all the races too)
Course Map - HERE
Live Results - HERE (available the day of the meet)
NEWS & NOTES
Sectional runners...Monday practice = turn in uniforms, last chance mile, & run with Will & Nick
All runners...get your $$ to captains for 2024 team shirts and coaches gifts
End of year awards ceremony will be Wed Nov 6th @ 5:45pm...more info to come soon via email
Will L-S finishes Runner-Up at the
Don Loker Cross Country Championships
The top runners from Madison, WI migrated to Lake Farm Park for the annual running of the Don Loker City CC Championships. Our meet has grown in size as we add more private schools to the mix. Which also makes an interesting clash of mascots as this year we saw a competition between the Crusaders, Guardians, Spartans, Purgolders, Regents, Lancers, Eagles, & Challengers...that would be quite the scene in a drawing. Every year the Madison area produces some of the top runners in all three divisions and this year looks to be the same. This tough competition leads to some fast times and our Spartans were more than happy to run fast including 10 season best times from our group. The varsity was led by a great race from Will L-S as he finished runner-up and was the top underclassmen in the race. Berndt was just a second off his lifetime best running a great race as our number 2 runner. Nick Z had his second best time of the season and is showing he is ready to finish his senior year on a solid note. Freshman Max B continues to step up to help out our varsity being the 4th Spartan across the line and Jack C had a great finish to be our 5th scorer on the day. PJ helped get these guys through the first part of the race and stayed close with his finish as Anthony also was within seconds of these Spartans.
The JV race saw Finn A run a season best time committing to a solid plan from the start and holding on all the way to the finish. Ian G closed really well just off his season best and being our 2nd JV finisher. Andy E crossed the line next in a lifetime best and Mitchell was hot on his trail in a season best time. David rounded out our scoring five in JV who continues to improve each week and is looking for a strong finish to their season at Conference next week on this same course. Other season and lifetime best run by JV runners included Nathan Z dropping another 20 seconds, Grey & Kaiden dropping about 40 seconds each, Asher W dropping about 1 minute lifetime best and Oliver O dropping a minute season best for a new lifetime PR, Elliot D having a 2 minute PR, Ben L battling back from injury to have a 3 minute improvement and a lifetime PR. Big things for these guys next week at conference and in future seasons.
RESULTS
All of the Races
Varsity Boys
JV Boys
NEXT COMPETITION
Saturday October 19th
Big 8 Conference Championship @ Lake Farm Park (Course)
Bus = 8:00am
9:30am = First Race
10:05am = Boys Varsity (2023 Results) (Box 3-4)
11:15am = Boys JV (2023 Results) (Box 3-4)
12:00pm = Awards - Top 16 Varsity, Top 15 JV1 & JV2
** We will NOT stop to eat... back to school around 1:00pm
NEWS & NOTES
--> 10/12 (Sat) - Team Practice at Elver Park - 8:00am - 9:30am
--> Seniors will be collecting money the week of conference for coaches gifts ($10) & team shirts ($15)
--> Weather rollercoaster coming next week...be prepared...get the warm gear, rain gear, and extra clothing out and at practice(s) to avoid getting sick/injured due to the weather
--> JV Runners will have a required practice on Monday Oct 21st...uniforms & other checked out items must be returned at this time. JV runners will run on Monday
--> Only varsity runners preparing for Sectionals will have required practice Oct 22nd & beyond
Our season took us north this weekend and hopes of escaping the grips of the long lasting summer's heat. We headed to Wausau East to compete in the 68th annual Smiley Invite. Our varsity started off the day being led by Berndt & Nick both earning medals for their efforts on the day. Berndt was our top finisher in 17:26 followed closely by Nick Z in a lifetime PR. Freshman Max B had a great day being our third runner and PJ M followed closely behind him. Anthony L stepped up in his first varsity experience of the season to round out our scoring five runners. Seniors Jack C and Jamie I both ran well for the varsity as our team finished 12th on the day in a very competitive race.
The JV runners ran a strong middle part of the race to bring our group to a 10th place team finish. Next week we will look to get out a little faster at the start so we don't have to work so hard in the second half of the race. Finn G led the charge through the field with his 19:47 time. Ian G came in next with a lifetime PR. Freshman Andy E continues to show marked improvement and led a group of teammates including sophomore Mitchell S and senior David B. We look to continue to have this group runner closer together throughout the race to help all in this group improve their performance and times. Nathan Z improved his season PR and Abhi K opened his season with a lifetime best while Asher W continues to improve throughout the season again setting a lifetime best. Lots of good races were run in this group of runners on a challenging course. We are ready for the second half of the season and lots of improvement in the coming races.
RESULTS
All Smiley Results
D1 Varsity results
D1 JV results
NEXT COMPETITION
Saturday September 28th
Midwest Invitational @ Blackhawk GC - Janesville (Course)
Bus - 6:45am
9:00am - First Race
9:35am - Blue JV Race (sub 21:15 racers) (2023 Results)
10:45am - Varsity Race (2023 Results)
12:00pm - White JV Race (2023 Results)
12:40pm - 4th - 8th Grade 1 mile Race **
Awards - Varsity = top 40 individuals & 3 teams, JV (both Blue & White) - top 30 individuals
*We will stop for food on the way home...bring $ or pack a lunch!*
Approximate return to Memorial is 3:30pm
** 4th-8th graders who are siblings/friends of Memorial Athletes or attend Memorial feeder schools can compete in the 1 mile cross country race at 12:40pm representing Memorial...to be entered in the race, parents/coaches must contact Coach Casey (crhopp@hotmail.com) by Wed 9/25 before 6:00pm with athletes Name, Gender, Grade in school...(NO cost)...it is the responsibility of each family to provide transportation for their 4th - 8th grade athlete(s) to and from the meet and provide their own race day attire...timing bibs will need to be picked up the day of the race by 12:25pm in our team camp area.
*** Janesville is charging an entry fee for spectators. Adults = $6 Kids/Senior Citizens = $4 Under 6 years old = free...NO CASH purchase online at https://gofan.co/event/1700162?schoolId=WI19179 or with debit/credit card at the gate
Plan time for parking, walking to course, & paying admission!!
NEWS & NOTES
Clothing order to be handed out this week at practice....write your name in your new gear!
Homecoming week...make good choices. Practice schedule remains the same all week.
Take care of your health...sleep, eat healthy, hydrate, stretch, ice, sleep ;) and wash your hands
The heat was on again for the Big 8 Grade Level Challenge but the spartan harriers put out a solid effort in the quick return to racing. We asked the kids to put in a quality effort in Cross Plains and we were really pleased with all those that raced. Andy E was our top finisher with his 10th place finish in the freshman race. Ian G earned a top 20 finish in the sophomore race to lead all finishers in the frosh/soph race. David B led our team in the junior/senior race. This years race was used more as a workout due to the Monday race schedule. We look forward to getting back out to a full team competition at the Smiley Invitational this coming weekend.
RESULTS
Grade Level Results - ALL
Frosh/Soph Race
Jr/Sr Race
NEXT COMPETITION
Saturday September 21st
Smiley Invitational @ Wausau East HS - Wausau, WI (Course)
Bus - 6:30am
8:30am - First Race
10:00am - First D1 Race (Girls)
11:10am - D1 Boys Varsity (2023 Results) (Lane 9)
11:35am - D1 Boys JV (2023 Results) (Lane 9)
12:00pm - Awards - Varsity = 2 teams & 20 individuals, JV = 1 team & 20 individuals
**We will stop to eat on the way home...bring $$ or a sack lunch**
Approximate return to school is 4:00pm
NEWS & NOTES
After school dinners have begun...athletes can stop in the cafeteria after practice for a free meal (need to get there before 6:15pm)
Still waiting on clothing order....I'll let you know when it arrives
Lots of cold symptoms going around...get sleep, eat & drink well, wash your hands, get more sleep
** Reminder - NO BUS but ALL athletes should arrive at 7:30am AND stay until after the final boys race & team cool down are completed before they may leave (around 11:15am)**
Drop off can occur near the course but parking must take place by the high school G1/F4 (see map)
Give yourself time to walk from the parking lots to the course...parking will take awhile, there are 35 boys & 35 girls teams attending this meet
NO DOGS ALLOWED (this will be the case at most courses we go to this season)
NEWS & NOTES
Athletic Fees ($115 or waiver) - must be paid through Infinite Campus
Uniform Handout (athlete will be assigned top ($35) & bottom ($35) for the duration of the season and must return assigned items at the completion of the season). Uniforms should be worn only at meets and washed in between uses.
Thurs - Varsity (jacket ($75) handout too) & Seniors competing at Verona
Fri - Juniors, Sophomores, & Freshman competing at Verona
Week 3 practices --> 3:45pm - 6:15pm Tues-Fri @ Memorial (note: school starts Sept 3/4...we will start right after school)
Labor Day (Sept 2nd) Practice --> Run on own or captain's practice...4:00pm meet at UW Arboretum Visitors Center
Monday - 6:30am - 8:00am @ Memorial
Tuesday - 8:00am - 9:45am @ Memorial
Wednesday - 4:00pm - 6:15pm @ Memorial
Thursday - 4:00pm - 6:15pm @ Memorial
Friday - 4:00pm - 6:15pm @ Memorial
Saturday - 6:15am ~ 8:45am @ Elver Park - Intrasquad
Monday August 19th - 8:00am - 10:30am - Practice @ Memorial + Family/Athlete Meeting virtual (link will be emailed on Monday)
Tuesday August 20th - 8:00am - 10:30am - Practice @ Memorial
Wednesday August 21st - 8:00am - 10:30am - Practice @ Memorial
Thursday August 22nd - 8:00am - 10:15am - Practice @ Memorial
Friday August 23rd - 8:00am - 10:00am - Practice @ Memorial
Saturday August 24th - 8:00am - 10:00am - Practice @ Elver (meet near softball fields)
** Optional afternoon runs for upperclassmen & varsity contenders...more info shared at practice
-- Planning ahead...week 2 Practices will be 4:00pm - 6:15pm Mon - Fri (Sat = Intrasquad)
PAPERWORK NEEDED
1) Athlete Questionnaire - HERE (Fill out form with contact info for coaches)
2) Online Athletic Forms - HERE
(Parents AND Athletes BOTH must complete - use Infinite Campus log-ins)
Helpful videos & docs from the athletic department
Parent video and parent doc
Student video and student doc
3) Physical Cards
-Physical from a doctor after April 1st 2023
- Questions...e-mail our athletics secretary Leigha Sponsel lksponsel@madison.k12.wi.us or athletics director Tim Richardson ttrichardson@madison.k12.wi.us
TURN IN by sending scan/picture of card to lksponsel@madison.k12.wi.us
4) Watch Spartan Sports Kickoff - (Virtual)
You can watch the recording through the MMSD Youtube page
MONDAY AUGUST 19TH @ 8:00AM - 10:30AM
1st Day of Practice - Mansfield Stadium (South "throws" fields)
Must have all your paperwork completed and turned in to participate
We will run for 30+ minutes on 1st day of practice...have your running shoes and watch
REMINDER - Everyone will need a watch this season!!!! Any watch will do coach's recommendation - Timex Ironman or Garmin Forerunner 55
Bring a filled water bottle!
** We will practice everyday regardless of the weather...plan accordingly
Things to do this summer to prepare for the fall 2024 boys cross country season at Madison Memorial
1) RUN - Get out & run...take a teammate with you
*Summer running group will meet at 8am @ Madison Memorial (Stadium Parking Lot)
2) Fill out the Athlete Questionnaire (provides contact info to coaches)
3) Fill out Online Athletic Forms
Helpful videos & docs from the athletic department
4) Turn in Physical Cards
- Physical card = physical from a doctor after April 1st, 2023
- Questions...email our athletic director's office
5) Watch MMSD Sports Kickoff - (Virtual)
