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
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
