Metro Suburban Conference Championship Meet

Elmwood Park High School

Elmwood Park, IL

October 18, 2014

As I type this out, the sun is actually shining down on me through the window, so I ask, "Where were you five hours ago?"  Then I remember.  It seems to be tradition that we have bad weather on Conference Day.  So today was no different than previous years.

However, in spite of the cold and wet conditions, Walther did well and was well represented by our athletes, earning recognition in almost every race.

But wait, before we continue with Conference results, let's rewind to last Sunday when some of the team went to work as volunteers at the Chicago Marathon.

 We were joined by Walther alumni, Sonja, for the event.

 

 (Sorry-it looks like I'm favoring my daughter since she's in every picture, but I wasn't there to make sure there was equal coverage.)

OK, back to Conference.

Pre-race Preparations:

Did I mention it was cold???

There's a unique bond among the Cross Country runners, and it seems to get stronger on cold days!

First up, Varsity Girls:

 (Which would be Tammy & Ale)

 

Final time was 20:49.8, finishing in 12th place overall.  Not her PR today, but it was good enough to qualify her for "All Conference." (Our only qualifier for the day.) 

Way to represent Walther well, Ale!!!

Tamron's final time was 23:02.1.  This was 9 seconds faster than her first run at Elmwood Park this year, and she has taken off more than four minutes from her initial 3-mile run at the beginning of the year.  Way to go, Tammy!!!

Next up, Varsity Boys:

 Oh, so ready!!!

The boys changed their order on nearly every single lap.  They really seem to work best when they are all together because it helps to push themselves, and it makes a lot of fun to watch.

Heading toward the finish line:

Luis managed to work his way toward the front of the Walther pack, finishing 14th overall (missing "All Conference" by one place!!) with a time of 17:50.4.  This was his PR for the season.  Impressive!!!

Mitch was next in line, finishing 17th overall, with a time of 17:53.0.  Not his PR for the season, but it was his PR for this course.  Way to go!!!

Jaylin came in 19th, with a time of 18.05.4.    He was the third on our team to finish in the top 20.  Stupendous!!

Jack was only 2 spots behind Jaylin, finishing in 18:12.8, twenty seconds faster than his first run at Elmwood Park earlier this year.  

Way to keep improving!!!

Jacob was our final scorer, finishing 25th overall with a time of 18.49.9.  Not an overall PR, but like Mitch, it was his best time for this particular course. 

Great job!!!

Kobe completed the run in 19:07.2.  This was also his fastest time for this course.  

Super!!!

James finished in 19:51.9.  He has taken 33 seconds off of his mile pace since his first race of the season.  What progress!!!

3rd Race of the Day-JV Girls:

 

 

 

Heading toward the finish...

 

Lauren won the JV race for the second time in a row and achieved her PR for the season as well (21:03.1).

  CONGRATS, Lauren!!!

Jenny came in second, finishing in 21.51.0, getting her fastest time for this course.  Wonderful!!!

Chloe finished in 7th place overall, earning herself a medal along with the others, 

completing the course in 24:38.2.  

Great job!!!

4th Race of the Day-JV Boys:

("Excitement" isn't exactly the feeling you get when you see this picture, is it??)

 Our faithful cheerleaders, rain or shine!

 

 

 

Cruising toward the finish line...

 David achieved his PR today, coming in with a time of 18:57.3, breaking 19 minutes for the first time ever!  He was 7th overall.  
Great show, David!!!

 Gus pushed through the pain.  If there was audio with this picture you would hear the team chanting, "Gus!  Gus!  Gus!  Gus!"  (You get the idea, right??)

 Aaron finished in 23:42.1 for his final race of the season.  Compared to his first 3 mile race, he has improved his mile pace by 17 seconds per mile since he started (mid-season).  
Great improvement, Aaron!!!

 Jose finished his final race in 23.46.2, just missing his PR for the season, but this was definitely his fastest race at this course, 43 seconds faster today than before.  Great way to finish the year, Jose!!  

Zach was struggling with an injury today, and so did not get his PR, but he was still 9 seconds faster than his first race at Elmwood Park.  Looking at his slowest and fastest races of the season, he cut down his mile pace by one minute, 24 seconds overall.  Supurb!!!

 

Final Race of the Day-Open:

Benjie was our sole runner in this race.

 (One of the most important things a cross country runner should do!)

 Urging on his companion at the end.

 And slowing down to make sure the other person crosses the finish line first.  

I would expect nothing less of him!

By the way, it's a fact that Benjie got his PR for this season today and finished in the top ten.  

 

AWARDS CEREMONY:

JV Boys

 Finally, we get to go inside where it's warm!!!

 The 10th and 7th place finishers for JV boys.

 

 JV Girls

Steven going in for Chloe, but pointing out that he is the Coach, and not to be confused for one of the girl runners.

Clarifying again: "I am not Chloe."

 Congratulations, Chloe (or Steven????), for earning 7th place!!

 Our second and first place winners!!!

Varsity Girls

 Our 12th place runner and "All Conference" title earner.  Way to go!

Next week, Regionals!!!

In looking at our times, if everyone gets their PR next week, there are definite possibilities for individuals and/or teams to qualify for Sectionals.

Stay healthy and strong, everyone!!!

See you Saturday!!!