Thundercats Race to Intrasquad Title --> Will L-S Runs 3rd Fastest Course Time.

Since 2007 the Madison Memorial boys cross country runners have descended on Elver Park to kickoff their season and see where their fitness stands. The course at Elver is a true test of ability and a runner who competes here is prepared for a full season of challenges across the state of WI. We have raced on beautiful days, dashed through flooding rains, and sweated out hot humid ends to the summer. This race is just one race in a long season but helps us learn a lot about our team and about ourselves. Today we took a big step forward into a season that will have many unknowns. Our varsity was a combination of senior leaders and young underclassmen. We have already seen tremendous growth in our returning runners and are excited to see what this team will do as we continue to improve and chase our goals. 

This week the local news reporters put out a watch list of top returning area runners and our very own Will L-S made the cut. Today he showed that he is ready to compete in this just his second season of cross country. He ran the 3rd fastest time we have seen on the Elver course in 16:55 (the guys who ran faster were a college alumni and all-state runner...who got to run together). Soph Berndt R and Senior Nick Z ran great races to finish close together. Senior PJ M ran a lifetime best to start off the season and earn varsity spot. While senior teammate Finn G rounded out the scoring five. We will need to close the gap up between these top 5 runners but I'm confident when we are in a race with more people we can keep the gaps smaller. Jack C is coming off a great summer of running to earn a varsity spot in his senior year (not bad for a guy who as a frosh ran 28:55 for his first 5k). Rounding out our varsity is a freshman Max B who had a great first race and has room for more improvement this year.

David B was hot on Max's heels running a lifetime PR to start his senior campaign. Andy, Bowen, Kaiden, and Asher all ran their first 5k's for the team and battled really hard for solid performances. We look forward to seeing some competition next week at Verona and having more fans out on the course cheering on the runners. We hope these things combined with another week of great training lead to even more personal records (PRs) next week. Taking care of our bodies and avoiding illness & injury will be important. Athletes should work on getting into a good sleep pattern as we prepare to head back to school. SLEEP (8-9 hours nightly) is the #1 thing runners can do to enhance their performance and avoid illness & injury. Additionally, continue to stretch, roll, ice, eat well, & hydrate. Looking forward to big things all season long!

RESULTS

2024 Intrasquad & Historical Stats

NEXT COMPETITION
Saturday September 7th
Verona Invitational @ Verona HS (Stewart Woods School Forest)
NO BUS - Arrive at 7:30am
8:30am - First Race (Girls Varsity)
9:05am - Boys Varsity (2023 results) (Lane 7)
10:20am - Boys JV (2023 results) (Lane 7)
NO Open Race this year :(
11:30am - Awards Ceremony - Varsity = 2 teams & 40 individuals, JV = 20 individuals

** 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

Week 2 Practice Schedule (Adjusted due to heat)

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 

2024 Season Begins Monday the 19th...It's Cross Country Time!

CLOTHING ORDER
Orders Due by Tues 8/27
Families, fans, & athletes can order...nothing is mandatory but it is nice to have a couple pieces of Cross Country specific attire to wear at meets :)

WEEK 1 PRACTICE

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)

We will have access to bathrooms if needed but we recommend coming ready to run.
Bring a water bottle (water filler available). Leave valuables in car or at home.

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