WHAT HAPPENED AT CARSON CITY? & BNC #2

Yesterday at Carson City the team took a half step forward, and had a lesson illuminated before them that can make a prodigious difference in the remainder of the season. They learned that they can go out together, and at a fast pace. We had 7 guys all together at the mile in 5:21. By that time Miles had lost his shoe put it back on, and made his way back to our pack, which I’m sure hurt him for the latter portion of the race. I believe that he likely tried to catch up too quickly, burning up too much energy. A common mistake, and one that needs to be made in order to learn better. If we had been on a course more like Gaylord’s, then he could have finished without the shoe and been fine.

The second mile saw everyone head for 6 minute pace and even more. That killed the race. We talked about it, I preached, etc. Still it took having a course where they could see their mile splits and learn afterward what that meant and felt like. Then they could see what they had run for the different segments of the race for it to hit home. I think that it did this time. The same thing happened with the JV race, Brad was thru the mile in around 5:20, Hunter was close behind. Being Freshmen they both fell back almost exactly as the Varsity did an hour later. They learned a great deal. Matt Kulka wasn’t able to really get into the race, his foot wouldn’t allow for this to be a good race day, still he bulled through. 

This is a lesson for the full team, you can hold up the middle of the race, you have the fitness to be able to be stronger in the second mile and then persevere in the third mile to bring it home. It’s that time of the season. Get out of your own way and let it happen. The only thing holding you back is you! You must believe in yourself. You must be upbeat and believe that not only can you conquer the challenges, but that you will, and are excelling in doing so. Then you step aside and follow through, with the grit and determination that refuses to fail.

Saturday we finished 12th out of 21 teams. This time everyone in front of us is a formidable team. That’s an improvement. (some are div. 2)

1- Sag. Heritage  57

2- Rockford  71

3- Ionia  115

4- Grand Haven  148

5- Caledonia  158

6- East Kentwood  166

7-  G R Christian  194

8- Grand Ledge  205

9- Jenison  283

10- Kenowa Hills  300

11- Hudsonville  321

12- TCW  323       Can we beat these other teams. You bet we can! Will we? That’s up to you, do you have the drive and determination to accomplish this? Saginaw Heritage was tied for #1 in the rankings with Ann Arbor Pioneer last week.

52- Matt Laylin  17:41

53- Heath Bristol  17:42

65- Ray Innis  17:51

70- Sebby Kucera  17:55

83- Miles Ullenbruch  18:07

89- Jonah Laursen  18:16

101- Jack Lyon  18:33

In the JV race Brad Clark was a strong 8th place in 17:58. Hunter Swogger was around 18th? (I didn’t get JV results) for a great race of his own in 18:22. Matt Kulka persevered to a 19:26.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

BNC #2 at TCC -> Courtade elementary on Rasho Rd.

Same format as usual. 

Out of school at 1:45

arrive at course by 2:30

Boys race at 4:00

Girls race at 4:30

Middle schools at 5:00

Not certain of how to get to Courtade? Check the postings from last week, I have directions on there for last Thurdays race.

Your young racer is able to leave after we’ve completed the cool-down and cheered on the middle schoolers. We will car pool as a team, I’ll pick up the guys at the Jr/Mid school, and we’ll get everyone there. Please pick up your son at the race when we’re done.

UPDATE & THOUGHTS – THE TEAM HAS A NEED

FOR THE GUYS GOING TO CARSON CITY TOMORROW;  - THEY NEED TO BRING A SECONDARY LIGHT BREAKFAST TO EAT ON THE ROAD. WE WILL STOP ON THE WAY HOME, SO A LITTLE MONEY TO FILL THEIR TANKS WOULD BE GOOD TOO. -BRING A WATER BOTTLE WITH YOUR SPIKES AND UNIFORM, ETC.

>>>> MELISSA CHOLGER HAS INFORMED ME THAT SHE IS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH HER HEALTH AT THE MOMENT. OF COURSE WE HOPE THAT WILL CLEAR UP QUICKLY. SHE HAD VOLUNTEERED LAST YEAR TO TAKE OVER THE ORGANIZATION OF THE TEAM BANQUET FOR 2 YEARS. I HAD LOOKED FORWARD TO HER HEADING UP OUR BANQUET, SINCE SHE IS AN EXPERIENCED XC PARENT, HAVING SPENT 4 YEARS WITH US WHILE HER SON DAVE WAS ON THE TEAM, EVEN BEFORE DAN.

SO NOW I HAVE TO MAKE THE PLEA FOR OTHERS THAT HAVE THE ABILITY, TO STEP UP AND HELP TO ORGANIZE THE TEAM BANQUET IN NOVEMBER. IN THE PAST IT HAS BEEN PRIMARILY 1 PERSON WHO HAS TAKEN ON THE RESPONSIBILITY WITH SEVERAL OTHERS HELPING. I’M WONDERING IF A COMMITTEE MIGHT BE A GOOD IDEA. THAT WAY NO ONE PERSON HAS ALL OF THE RESPONSIBILITY, AND PREPARATIONS CAN BE SPREAD OUT TO 2 TO 4 PEOPLE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK? I ENJOY HAVING THIS HANDLED BY CAPABLE PEOPLE SO THAT I DON’T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING BUT GET THE AUDIO VISUAL DONE, + AWARDS AND ALL THE TEAM STUFF. IT DOESN’T LEAVE ME ANY TIME TO THINK OF THE DINNER, DECORATION, CLEAN UP, ETC. WE’VE ALWAYS HAD PEOPLE STEP UP AND DO A GREAT JOB, AND I THINK I’M A BIT SPOILED THAT WAY. E-MAIL ME WHAT YOU THINK OF THE COMMITTEE IDEA, AND IF YOU THINK YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO BE A PART OF THE BANQUET ORGANIZATION. THANKS,   Z

TCW vs TCC DUAL MEET

Well the first – possibly annual dual meet between the 2 schools is history. I must say that it all went our way today. You didn’t need to see the score to know who won this race. Central had a race off for a spot on their varsity, which means that 2 varsity guys were running for them in this JV competition. Of course we have several guys on our squad that run varsity at some point of this season. 

So it was a very strong showing for our team. Good job to all. I studied how we scored overall and class by class, and we outscored them in each way I came up with. We needed a good shot in the arm and this was definitely that.

In the end their varsity guy won by 10 seconds, but our team put on a show of pack running. The score was TCW 22 to TCC 47.

Individual places & times:

2- Ben Dean 18:43

3- Alex Hawke 18:54

4- Ian Butler 19:00

6- Alex Goldsmith 19:05

7- Joe Yancho 19:07

8- Russell Carter 19:09

9- Forrest Verellen 19:09

10- Chris Chargo 19:11

11- Addison Brown 19:12

14- Ryan Ness 19:24

15- Sam Messina 19:32

18- Travis Moran 19:50

19- Max Verellen 19:54

20- Ryan Schaef  20:10

23- Nick Callahan 20:16

26- Trevor Painter 20:30

28- Dan Schmidt 20:36

30- John Troost 20:38

35- Kasey Goss  21:12

38- Brad Allen  21:34

39- Landon Meggison 21:56

40- Tyler Stephens 22:09

42- Ethan Poirier  22:24

44- Sam Yancho  23:13

45- Devin Wennersten  23:19

Carson City – Crystal info.

So for the 10 that travel to CCC on Saturday; here’s the info. for the day.

Once again those team members are: Miles, Heath, Ray, Matt L., Jonah, Sebby, Jack, Brad, Matt K., Hunter.

 We will meet at the back of the school as usual – at 6:55 am.

I plan on a 2 1/2 to 3 hour drive, so we should arrive at the races by 10 or hopefully a little earlier.

The JV race is at 11:30

The Varsity is at 12:30

We’ll make a stop on the way home for food. (fast food at cedar springs exit)

I expect that we’ll be back at the school between 5 & 5:30.

This is a big meet with all divisions having their own races. For our division it’s practically a who’s who of top teams in the state this year. So it’s a busy place. NO DOGS ARE ALLOWED AT THIS RACE. It’s located at a sportsmen’s club, and it is asked that everyone stay off of the berms and any equipment. There is a $5 charge for all non- school vehicles for parking. 

Directions:

You can go to the Carson City Crystal schools web site and under athletics – click on the Don Baese Invitational. In that info. is a link for directions to the meet. That shows the map quest version of the location. (It also has a course map) Otherwise:

I take 131 south, just past Cedar Springs exit, to M-57 / Sparta exit.

Turn left (east) on 57 and follow that thru Greenville and into Carson City. this is quite a few miles of straight 2 lane.

Just past the little downtown- turn right on Mount Hope Rd. – you’ll be headed south out of town. (also known as 555)

After a couple of miles this turns hard to the left, the next intersection is Dailey Rd.

Turn right on Dailey and follow that to the next road – Jenks. 

Right on Jenks and the parking is just up on the right. The entrance to the Fish Creek sportsmans’ club is on the left.

There will be signs for the Fish Creek Sportsman’ club at the last two intersections.

MORE INFO. FOR THIS WEEK

Thursday – as posted previously; the race starts at 5:00 pm.

We will have everyone get out of school quickly and carpool to the course. We should have enough drivers, and I will bring my big van.

When we are done and the team has cooled down, then they are released to go home, so families can take them from there.

The team for Saturday at Carson City is: Miles Ullenbruch, Heath Bristol, Ray Innis, Matt Laylin, Jonah Laursen, Sebby Kucera, Brad Clark, Jack Lyon, Matt Kulka, and Hunter Swogger. 

Everyone else will be racing at Courtade for their one race this week. Erik Wilson will be off this week as we attempt to put him back together again.

Directions to Courtade:

Hammond Rd. going East -> follow it past the stoplight at 4 mile, until it takes a sharp bend to the right.

past that bend Hammond ends and Supply Rd. goes to the left, (High Lake Rd. is straight ahead)

Turn left on Supply Rd. – a short distance up is Rasho Rd. – turn right on Rasho.

The school is up on the right about a half mile, you may be able to park at the school because it is out at that time. Otherwise park in the field south of or beyond the school – on the right.

DIRECTIONS AND DETAILS FOR SATURDAY = COMING UP WHEN I GET OFF WORK TODAY.

WHO GOES WHERE THIS WEEK

OK, so after some deliberation, I believe I sort of almost have this figured out:

We have 2 instances of guys running the same time in different races last Saturday. We don’t know for certain if we may hold Erik Wilson out in order to help him recover from this sciatica, but I think there is a good chance of that. This is a good time to do it. We are also adding Miles to the mix, as he is ready to go for the weekend as well, and was our # 2 runner in the first meet.

I just looked at it again and I just know that I have to talk with team members before making my final decision. People are too close to call, and there are too many variables to name the teams tonight.

Still these are the guys that should be prepared to go to carson city crystal on Sat.:

Miles,  Heath,  Ray,  Matt Laylin,   Jonah,  possibly Erik Wilson,   Sebby,  Brad,  Jack,  Matt Kulka,  Hunter, Ian Butler.

Hunter & Ian Butler are alternates at this point – I don’t want to disappoint either of you, but if Erik doesn’t go then it’s between the 2 of you to fill the last spot, and you both ran the same time. I should be able to finalize it tomorrow.  ( I hope)   Z

RESULTS FOR JACKSON & PETOSKEY

Well, the weekend was better than the weekday.

Performances for many were better on Saturday, of course I only witnessed 7 of them this time. We still had some major ups and downs, and I can’t help but wonder why that is. Annually at this time; whatever bug that’s going around the school is taking a toll on our team. I know that is the case here to some extent. Some though just have to get the mindset formed to race. You have to get mad at something, and use it too create the grit, drive and determination to accomplish what you previously thought was not within your reach. 

In Jackson, the days’ Varsity finished well back in the crowd. Not where we are accustomed to being. Still there were some strong performances, and personal growth. Heath Bristol led the team with about a 30 second PR, in the absence of Erik Wilson who is battling sciatica in both legs. (but improving) Ray Innis also learned that he can move forward to cover for a teammate in trouble and set a PR of his own. Sebby, Matt Kulka and Brad Clark all made good effort in running this meet for their first time, while running against some of the best teams in the state. A very good learning experience, that will serve to make them stronger for the next time.

1 Ann Arbor Pioneer 42    5- East Kentwood 167    10- TCC 259    13- Howell 298   14 TCW- 354

(19 teams)

1-Ben Miller,  Warren De La Salle   15:22

55- Heat Bristol  17:28

65- Ray Innis   17:40

76- Erik Wilson   17:52

78- Sebby Kucera   17:54

85-  Brad Clark   18:07

87- Matt Kulka   18:11

95- Ian Butler   18:22

We had a great time, a good trip, and it was good to start gaining a foothold on this season.

 

PETOSKEY INVITE

Now these results are confusing. They e-mailed them after the meet. There were no team places, there were a lot of mistakes, etc. – so I hope that what I’m able to decipher is correct.

It appears that hear we really had the ups and downs individually, but not having talked to any of the guys – I can see quite a few strong performances. Chris Chargo moved up the ranks in the 9 – 10 race, With Jonah Laursen showing another strong performance. Hunter Swogger must have had a good one with the place that he accomplished. Our 9th & 10th grade classes won their side of the meet.

In the 11 – 12 race we have to remember that all of these guys are running against the varsity runners for all of these other schools. Our guys finished 5th (I read in the paper) which is good for not having several of our varsity present. Those that were there finished well. Joe Yancho looks to have had a good race, finishing close to Ben Dean. Matt Laylin led the crowd, and he’s apparently been fighting off a bug all week. Jack Laylin was next, and from what I was told; battled forward thru the race. 

Good work guys! Now if we can settle on a little more regular varsity team to work with for the upcoming BNC meets.

9 – 10  FIRST PLACE

1- Blake Yard South Lyon  17:15

3- Jonah Laursen  17:52

12- Hunter Swogger  18:22

15- Dylan Snider  18:29

16- Chris Chargo  18:32

17- Alex Hawke  18:33

22- Ryan Ness   18:45

26- Russell Carter  18:55

34- Trevor Painter  19:28

35- Travis Moran  19:29

40- Max Verellen  19:41

48- Joey Vanderbosch  19:54

95- Ethan Poirier  22:57

96- Devin Wennersten  22:58

 

11 – 12 Race  5th PLACE

17- Matt Laylin  17:47

23- Jack Lyon  18:14

32- Ben Dean  18:42

37- Joe Yancho  18:44

47- Addison Brown  19:03

49- Trent Hibbard  19:04

51- Sam Messina  19:06

53- Forrest Verellen  19:09

60- Alex Goldsmith  19:20

62- Ian Hurst   19:28

64- Ryan Schaef   19:33

69- John Troost   19:44

75- Dan Schmidt  19:57

77- Kasey Goss    20:08

***************************************************************************************

THIS WEEK WE HAVE THE JV DUAL MEET VS. TCC AT THEIR COURSE BEHIND COURTADE ELEMENTARY, ON THURSDAY. THEN I AM TAKING THE TOP 10 GUYS ON SATURDAY TO THE CARSON CITY CRYSTAL -DON BAESE INVITATIONAL. I HAVE NOT FIGURED OUT WHO THOSE RUNNERS ARE QUITE YET. I’LL DO IT RIGHT NOW. WE HAVE SOME SPECIAL FACTORS TO CLOUD THE PICK SO STAY TUNED IF YOU OR YOUR FAVORITE RUNNER IS ON THE BORDER LINE FOR THOSE RACES. WE MIGHT END UP RUNNING #12 & ON FOR THURSDAY AGAINST TCC.

FOR NOW THE LEAD INFO. FOR THURSDAY IS THAT I NEGOTIATED WITH JOHN LOBER OF TCC TO RUN THE RACE AT 5:00, SO THAT WE DON’T HAVE TO PULL THE TEAM OUT OF SCHOOL. IT MAY BE EASIER FOR PARENTS AS WELL. 1 RACE, RUN AT 5, LOCATED AT COURTADE ELEMENTARY ON RASHO RD.. DIRECTION, ETC TO FOLLOW.

THIS WEEKEND IN XC

First the meet in Petoskey:

Held at camp Petosega, west and a bit north of Petoskey.

The bus is scheduled for 5:30 – plan to be there by 5:20

there are 2 races, split by classes:

 9 & 10 grades are race 1  and run at 9:30

11 & 12 grades are race 3 and run at 10:30

Many schools, all race together, so it makes for very good competition for our gang.

I would expect that the team should be back at the school by around 2:30 or 3:00.

MIGHT BE GOOD  TO BRING A LUNCH FOR THIS ONE…

DIRECTIONS

Probably fastest to go north on 131 from Kalkaska -> to Petoskey,

Then 131 becomes 31 along the lakeshore, 

after a couple of lights, turn right on Mitchell St. and go thru the downtown.

Follow Mitchell St. out of town going east several (6) miles, it becomes Mitchell Rd. & C-58

Turn left (north) on Blanchard Rd.

go 1 mile – turn right on Pickerel Lake rd.

go 4.7 miles – Pickerel Lake Rd. makes many turns, watch for signs for camp petosega.

Turn Left on Banwell Rd. go half a mile and turn left on Camp Petosega Rd. 

The race will be up about .7 miles

 

<<<<<< NOW ABOUT THE TRIP TO JACKSON >>>>>

ERIK WILSON, RAY INNIS, HEATH BRISTOL, BRAD CLARK, SEBBY KUCERA, IAN BUTLER & MATT KULKA WILL REPRESENT US AS OUR VARSITY FOR THIS WEEKEND AT THE JACKSON INVITE.

THEY ARE EXCUSED FROM CLASSES AT 12:00

WE’LL LEAVE THE SCHOOL BY 12:30

WE’LL ARRIVE AT THE COURSE BY ABOUT 5:00 AND RUN IT SO THAT EVERYONE IS FAMILIAR WITH IT. WE THEN GO BACK AND CHECK INTO THE BAYMONT SUITES HOTEL. (PHONE # 517-789-6000)

WE THEN GET OUT OF THERE AND GET SOME DINNER, SEEMS WE NORMALLY GO TO OLIVE GARDEN.

SATURDAY MORNING WE RACE AT 10:00, AND AFTER THE AWARDS CEREMONY WE ZIP OVER TO “THE PARLOUR” FOR LUNCH AND ICE CREAM. FROM THERE WE HEAD FOR HOME. WHEN WE GET THERE IS HARD TO SAY, AS IT DEPENDS ON WHETHER WE GET THRU OUR LUNCH QUICKLY OR NOT. (MANY TEAMS LIKE TO GO TO THE PARLOUR)

THE AMOUNT FOR THE HOTEL IS $34 FOR EACH OF THE GUYS. (CHECKS MADE TO ME ON THIS ONE, SO THAT I CAN PAY IT PLEASE)

THERE ARE 2 MEALS, AND IT SEEMS TO BE AROUND $15 – 18 FOR THEM THERE,  -  FOR EACH MEAL.

THEN ANY $ FOR SNACKS, T-SHIRTS AT THE MEET OR WHATEVER.  SO $65 TO $70 OR MORE FOR EXTRAS ?

MY CEL # IS 231- 883-4178 IF YOU SHOULD NEED IT AND YOUR SON DOESN’T HAVE A PHONE.

RACING SEASON BEGINS! OFF TO CAD., PET. & JACKSON!

Hello and welcome to the racing portion of our season. We’ll do quite a bit of racing in the next 3 weeks, unlike the first 5 weeks of the season where we focused on training and preparation. Now we’re off to the races.

This Tuesday the 16th we run the first Big North meet at Cadillac. This promises to be interesting, as there seems like we might have a changing of the guard on the boys side. Cadillac is looking pretty good so far this season. 

1:00 excused from class

1:15 leave for Cadillac

4:00  Varsity & JV race together

4:30  Girls race

5:00  Jr. High meet

We should return back to the school by around 6:30.

They state that they will be charging $5 per car for parking.

DIRECTIONS:

The address is the Mackinaw Trail Middle School, 8401 Mackinaw Trail. (near McGuires’ resort)

Either take 131 south – or 115

IF 131 – exit at 115 – turn left & go under 131. 115 follow the same.

Past the gas station turn left on Mackinaw trail. That will take you back across the highway.

Follow Mack. Trail and just past the highway the Middle School will be on the left.

Turn into the school and follow the drive around the back of the school to the parking lot. The start & finish are to the rear of the school.

FREMONT RESULTS & THOUGHTS AND STUFF

Well part of the days’ racing went the way that we wanted it to go. With this batch of results I make some explanation of why our team doesn’t seem to be doing as well this season as we have at this point during past seasons.

I won’t go into elaborate detail; I’ll save that for practice time. We haven’t raced as much up to this point as we have in recent history. We are a race or two behind most other teams in our development, and it shows. Some of these others are doing much better than when we’ve met up with them in past years, and that compounds the effect. 

Most of all, we are accomplishing more in our training than in just about any other season since I’ve been coaching at West. That is good, but it doesn’t allow for the best performances. Yet. After this week we will be through the strength aspect of the season, and we’ll begin sharpening up for racing. The training makes a subtle change and racing becomes more prevalent.

In short; I made a change in our racing schedule and it’s showing. I’m having to remind myself of that. I believe at this point that it will pay off as I designed it to do, at the correct time. Now we need to have everyone get behind that fact. Change is not a comfortable thing, some of your sons are feeling uncertain of their performances. They need to be bolstered at this point of the season both at home as well as from their team. The most important thing that can be accomplished right now is belief in self, and belief in our program.

FREMONT RESULTS:

VARSITY

1- East Kentwood   57

2- Grand Haven      57 (lost by 1 point on tie break / 6th mans’ place)

3- Fremont           89

4- Fruitport           100

5- TCW                 106

6- Big Rapids       144

7- Spring Lake      157

8- Ludington        174

9- Tri county        295

 

11- Erik Wilson  17:17

18- Sebby Kucera  17:31

19- Matt Laylin    17:41

24- Ray Innis     17:50

34- Dylan Snider   18:06

40- Ben Dean      18:22

42 Heath Bristol    18:44

Erik was incredibly sore, but toughed it out. He just wasn’t able to perform up to his usual level this time, but he’ll be back to it. Some of the others didn’t pace themselves correctly early on, as we’ve discussed since, and have now learned a valuable lesson from this meet. Sebby, Matt & Dylan all ran very good races, and really bolstered the varsity on this day. We’ll get it right, as it is still very early.

 

JV

The JV squad went out and followed instructions very well. Simple and to the point for this day, they executed their race plan beautifully. Certainly many could have done better, but that’s part of the effort. Here too there was a lot of learning going on. When the dust had settled we won this race with 30 points, that’s a great – low score for a JV race. Showing a great deal of depth in this group, as we have known that we can have.

I don’t have the finish places beyond the first 7 of our guys, the computer program must kick out runners over #7 from the results for scoring.

1- TCW  30

2- East Kentwood  49

3- Grand Haven   61

4- Fremont     129

5- Spring Lake   136

6- Ludington    161

7- Big Rapids   206

8- Fruitport    incomplete team

Congratulations to Jonah Laursen on winning the race and doing a great job in doing it! Also to Jack Lyon in growing during this one. We know that you’ll be fully present in the next meet with the way you performed in this one. There was hardly a bad race in this group, so I have to once again congratulate enmass.

1- Jonah Laursen  17:50

2- Jack Lyon       18:08

7- Brad Clark      18:34

8- Matt Kulka     18:36

12- Alex Hawke   18:40

13- Russell Carter  18:42

15- Hunter Swogger  18:47

Joe Yancho   18:48

Forrest Verellan  18:58

Ryan Ness    19:12

Dan Cholger    19:20

Alex Goldsmith  19:23

Trent Hibbard   19:25

Travis Moran     19:29

Ian Hurst        19:30

Sam Messina    19:36

Trevor Painter   19:42

Chris Chargo     19:48

Nick Callahan     19:49

Dan Schmidt    19:57

John Troost     20:00

Ryan Schaef    20:17   (welcome back)

Joey Vanderbosch  20:18

Kasey Goss     20:28

Eric Brefka      20:51

Tyler Stephens    21:19

Devin Wennersten   21:22

Ethan Poirier     23:36

Landon Meggison   23:54

Sam Yancho       24:21

Ben Yancho       26:50

NO RACING FOR A WHILE. THE NEXT ONE IS THE FIRST BIG NORTH MEET AT CADILLAC. SEE YOU SOON!    Z