Madison Memorial Boys Cross Country

Madison Memorial Boys Cross Country

Sunday, August 30, 2026

Thundercats Win Intrasquad!

Thirty-eight competitors toed the line for our first of many cross country races this season. Will L-S led the athletes over the hills and through the woods of Elver Park to win and establish a course record for the new Elver 2-mile course. Our 2- 5 athletes (Berndt, Charlie, Max, Paul) also ran strong races with a gap of less than 1-minute for our 1-5. Ian and Patrick will round the varsity squad heading into the Verona Invite next weekend.

Going into the Verona invite Anthony, Andy, Bowen, and Mitchell will lead a mix of youth and experience of our JV runners who we hope push to make the varsity team and improve PRs throughout the season. Henry M was the top finisher among athletes new to cross country and Elias K ended up being our top freshman finisher. We had many first cross country races run by Henry M, Elias, Ryan, Luke S, Eli B, Walter, Coda, Jaxon, Declan, Oliver K, Levi, Ephraim, Miguel, and Devon. Lots of improvement in the near future for these guys and all their teammates. We look forward to seeing some competition next week at Verona and having more fans out on the course cheering on the runners. 

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

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Q-rz4BIUyyCBFBDsePE4OKZuntfLRR8AgD3LA63-Juc/edit?usp=sharing


Next Competition

Verona Invite Saturday 9/5 (@ Verona High School)

7am - Bus leaves VPM (arrive 6:45am, if driving to Verona arrive at 7:30am and send me an email to let me know you won't be on the bus!)

9:05am - Boys Varsity

10:20am - Boys JV

11:30am - Awards

Course Map

Parking Info - School parking lots only. We have over 1200 parking spots on campus and if those fill spectators will need to park on the nearby Verona Streets.  Foot entrance to the course is either down Wildcat Way to the parking lot, which is the safest, or one of the crossings of the Military Ridge bike trail. Entrance directly onto the course is prohibited.

NEWS & NOTES
Athletic Fees (or waiver) - must be paid through Infinite Campus
Snap Raise Fundraiser will kick off 9/8
Uniform Handout will occur this week. Athletes will keep their uniform 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.

Saturday, August 22, 2026

2026 Week 2 Schedule

The 2026 boys cross country season is off and running. The guys have been working really hard at practice putting in the miles, learning strength routines, and overall improving as athletes. Each day gives us an opportunity to improve individually and as a team. Take advantage of each opportunity.


1. Athletes please make every effort to attend practice. If you need to miss practice, please send me an email ahead of time and include a parent/guardian on the email.

2. We are doing very well on paperwork as a team, but if you have not yet filled it out, please fill out the Athlete Questionnaire to ensure coaches have the correct contact info.

3. Athletics Fundraiser: We will start prepping for the fall athletics fundraiser this week. Athletes will sign up on the Snap Raise App and add 20 email contacts this week. More information will be emailed out closer to the fundraising kick off date. 



Week 2 Schedule
Monday - 4:00pm - 6:00pm @ Memorial
Tuesday - 4:00pm - 5:30pm @ Memorial

+ Parent meeting in cafeteria at 6pm

Wednesday - 4:00pm - 6:00pm @ Memorial
Thursday - 4:00pm - 6:00pm @ Memorial
Friday - 4:00pm - 5:30pm @ Elver (Meet by softball fields) so athletes can learn the new Intrasquad course

Saturday -Intrasquad - 7:30 - 9:30am @ Elver (meet by main shelter next to splash pad)

Intrasquad is a practice meet to introduce athletes to how a cross country meet works ahead of the Verona meet the following week.

Athletes should arrive at 7:30am to warm up and the race will start at 8:30am.  Friends, family, and alumni are all welcome to join in the race!

** New for 2026 is a new 2-mile course at Elver Park replacing the old 5k course


-- Planning ahead...week 3 practices will be 4pm at Memorial with a meet on Sat (9/5) at Verona HS.





Wednesday, August 19, 2026

2026 Schedule

 August

29th   Intrasquad (Elver Park)         8:30 am         NO BUS (7:30am)


September 

5th     Verona Invite (Verona HS)         9:00 am         Bus = 7:00am

12th  Monona Grove Invite (Monona GC, Monona)         8:30 am         Bus = 7:00am

19th    Smiley Invitational (Wausau East HS, Wausau) 8:30am         Bus = 6:30am

26th   Midwest Invite (Blackhawk GC, Janesville) 9:00am      Bus = 6:45am


October  

3rd    Arrowhead Invite     (Arrowhead HS)         9:30am Bus = 6:40am

9th  City @ Madison West     (Lake Farm Park) 4:00pm         NO BUS (2:30pm)

17th  Conference @ Janesville    (Blackhawk GC, Janesville) 9:30 am         Bus = 6:45am 

24th     Sectional @ Verona     (Verona HS, Verona) TBA am       Bus = 9:00am

31st    State @ Wisconsin Rapids (Ridges GC, Wisconsin Rapids)     3:10 pm    Bus = TBA


Saturday, August 1, 2026

2-Weeks Until 2026 Cross Country Season

The start of the 2026 cross country season is only 2-weeks away! 

 Things to do this summer to prepare for the fall 2026 boys cross country season at Madison Memorial 

1) First day of practice is Monday August 17th 
Week 1 practices will be Monday-Friday at 4pm. Use the fieldhouse entrance and we will meet in the lower locker room 

2) Get out & run...take a teammate with you 
Summer running group will Meet 8am at Memorial Stadium Lot. Mondays will be a rotating location posted in SportsYou. 

 Weeks of 8/3 and 8/10 summer running meets Monday- Friday 

3) Fill out the Athlete Questionnaire (provides contact info to coaches) 


5) Turn in Physical Cards 
- Physical card = physical from a doctor after April 1st, 2025 - 

For questions email our athletic director's office 
 Athletics Director Tim Richardson at ttrichardson@madison.k12.wi.us 
Associate Athletics Director Leigha Sponsel at lksponsel@madison.k12.wi.us 

6) Attend Spartan Sports Kickoff @ Memorial August 5th 6 - 8pm 
 Note: I will be in a tent somewhere near Mt. Hood in Oregon and Coach McIntyre will be out of state for a track meet so we won't have a cross country specific meeting at Spartan Sports Kickoff 

7) Sign up for SportsYou
 VPM coaches will use SportsYou (www.sportsyou.com) to communicate with athletes. Be sure to download the app and join our team page using Access Code S7VRW993

Friday, July 17, 2026

2026 Season Begins August 17th

 Things to do this summer to prepare for the fall 2026 boys cross country season at Madison Memorial

1) Get out & run...take a teammate with you
*Summer running group will 
Meet 8am at Memorial Stadium Lot. First Monday will be at Memorial. Following Mondays will be a rotating location posted in SportsYou.


Weeks of 6/22, 6/29, and 7/6 meet Monday, Tuesday, Thursday
Weeks of 7/13, 7/20, and 7/27 meet Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
Weeks of 8/3 and 8/10 meet Monday- Friday

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, 2025
- Questions...email our athletic director's office 

5) Attend Spartan Sports Kickoff @ Memorial August 5th 6 - 8pm (Note: I will be in a tent somewhere near Mt. Hood in Oregon on 8/5 so we won't have a cross country specific meeting at Spartan Sports Kickoff)

6) Sign up for SporsYou. VPM, coaches will use SportsYou (www.sportsyou.com) to communicate with athletes. Be sure to download the app and join our team page using the QR code or Access Code (S7VRW993) 

First Day of Practice = August 17th, 2026
4 pm @ Madison Memorial HS
Must have all PAPERWORK completed before practices begin!
We will go for a run on the first day of practice...have your running shoes & watch!



Thursday, June 11, 2026

Summer Running (Some are not)


Hello Spartan Cross Country!

I am Coach Ryan Pewowaruk, and I am the head boys' cross country coach at VPM after having been an assistant coach for the past 3 seasons. Coach Brian McIntyre will also be returning as an assistant coach for this upcoming season. We are so grateful for everything Coach Casey Hopp has done for the Madison Memorial boys' cross-country team, including his 20-year tenure as head coach. While we are sad to see Coach Casey step down, we are extremely excited for this upcoming summer and fall cross country season.

 SUMMER RUNNING --> Lay the foundation NOW for a successful season later. Summer miles bring fall smiles

Consistency and building from week to week are essential to a successful fall.

Meet 8am at Memorial Stadium Lot. First Monday will be at Memorial. Following Mondays will be a rotating location posted in SportsYou.

Weeks of 6/22, 6/29, and 7/6 meet Monday, Tuesday, Thursday
Weeks of 7/13, 7/20, and 7/27 meet Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
Weeks of 8/3 and 8/10 meet Monday- Friday

Tuesdays and Thursday's athletes will be able to attend a strength training session at VPM supervised by UW Health and VPM coaches. This will take place right after summer running and athletes should be finished by 9:30. These strength sessions are a great opportunity to become a stronger and more well-rounded athlete!

Training Plan (Also posted in SportsYou)

Bring athletic clothes, shoes, and a water bottle. Led by upperclassmen.

Not being able to attend the summer workouts is not an excuse to skip training! You can go for a run anywhere you are!


SportsYou
In alignment with the rest of the athletic department at VPM, coaches will use SportsYou (www.sportsyou.com) to communicate with athletes. Be sure to download the app and join our team page using the QR code or Access Code (S7VRW993) 


Sunday, June 7, 2026

Thanks for the Memories!!! - Coach Casey signing off

 Dear JMM/VPM runners, alumni, families, friends, fans, & followers -

In 2003 I called Stan Richter and asked for a chance to volunteer at Madison Memorial high school. I stepped into an opportunity that led me on a wonderful 23 year journey (the last 20 as head cross country coach). My time coaching track & field and cross country at Madison Memorial was nothing short of an amazing experience. I treasured this time to give back to a sport that had provided me so many opportunities in my lifetime. I have worked with countless young men & women who have developed as students, runners, and people both on the competition field and in the world of life. I hope I have inspired many of you to create a journey with running that is a lifelong event. I was asked by a neighbor why I was retiring and I said I am only stepping into my next phase of the journey. I have stepped away from coaching cross country so that I can be a cross country parent as my two children embark on their high school and middle cross country experiences. I hope to make as many memories with them that I made with all the Spartans at Memorial. I will never forget countless miles run, hours spent on the bus, mini-golf championships, valedictorians, team championships, rain soaked evenings, getting a newbie to finish their first 3 miler, full ladder workouts, rock-paper-scissor champions, searching for the lost runner, sprinting around the Ridges GC, celebrating a PR, handing out varsity jackets, and more and more and more. I will never be far away from the sport, so I hope to see you on the cross country course someday soon.

The next journey begins for the 2026 team as Coach Ryan Pewowaruk and Coach Brian McIntyre take over the program both have been with the Spartans over the last couple years and I expect nothing but great things this season and into the future. Every Runner Every Run Every Day




Madison Memorial Makes it to State
(click to watch video from 2009)


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