2019 USATF Junior Olympic National Cross-Country Championship Recap

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For 7 Hawks, one more race laid on the horizon for the last two weeks.  This weekend, 7 Hawks and their parents flew to Madison Wisconsin to compete at the National Level.  Let’s pause for a moment and recognize the fact that in our first year of Cross Country, with less than a year of workouts, the Hawks community first grew to 31 athletes.  Then, in Association Championships qualified 16 athletes to Regional's where 14 athletes qualified to Nationals!  Hawks, we have much to be thankful for and celebrate.  The entire team did this: Athletes, Parents and Coaches.  Well done, Hawks.

​I have always shared that to be a great runner, an athlete needs Talent, Training, and Toughness.  We saw toughness in full force this weekend!

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Leading the pack was Abigail.  Starting her warm up in 26 degree weather and all alone in her age group, she braved the cold and made us all proud!  She “broke the ice” and inspired her teammates to run tough as well.

Abigail Lockhard, 2k, 9:54  88th place out of 157

Next race was the mighty Natalie.  With temperatures dropping and again, running solo, Natalie gained the courage to jump onto that starting line.  I even saw a smile as she ran by!  This weekend, Natalie showed us a glimpse of a bright future.

Natalie Mittleman, 3k, 15:09, 214th place out of 241.
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​Next up, Da Boys.  It was so fun seeing these boys get ready for this race.  They were focused and yet fun, determined and at the same enjoying the opportunity.  The Team of Matthew, Dylan, Sully, Myles and John braved 22 degree weather dropping to 13 degrees with wind chill.  There were 364 people in this 3k race and after a rough start in the first 200 meters, our boys ran with toughness passing several runners and we even saw 3 PRs!

Matthew Ogilvie, 11:40 (4 sec PR), 183rd Place
Dylan Bonilla, 11:59 (10 sec PR), 225th Place
Sully Harding, 12:45 (20 sec PR), 303rd Place
Myles Whitney, 13:15, 329th Place
John Barreiro, 13:15, 331st Place
 
These great races could not have happened without the team of parents helping prepare the kids and keep them warm.  Thank you Michelle, Trin, Hannah, Mike, Kelsey and Clint, Andrew and Alicia for helping our kids compete the best they could in such tough conditions.
 
Toughness wins.  You all were winners this weekend in my book. 

Thank you for running so hard.
#WhoFlysWeDo 
Coach Phil.