Saturday, October 4, 2014

HHC

Ladies,

It was a tough one out there today. The weather was good in my opinion, if a bit blustery. The course rolled, and certainly wasn't fast, based on the times I saw from other schools. We hoped for 3rd, wound up 5th, if only by 11 points.

That's both disappointing and encouraging. Sure, I'm disappointed about 5th, I won't lie. It was a tough road for you all, and I guess I was hoping luck would break our way. What is encouraging is despite losing a critical piece of the top-5 we could hang within 11 points of the place we wanted. That goes to you, girls.

Of course Joslyn had an outstanding day. Not just because she took 11th and HM honors... no, more because she beat all but TWO of the Seymour girls! That's a pretty great accomplishment!

It's not like you girls ran horribly... I sure hope I don't come off that way. You didn't. You can look up times for the other teams, and I think what you're going to see is how slow the field was overall. I think most of you took your shots, and for that I can't ask more.

And yet I have to.

There are only two possible paths to Semi State for us now... individually or as a team. Unless EVERYONE improves a bit or ONE PERSON improves dramatically, there is no path forward after Regional for the team. I can't sugarcoat that.

The thing is, as a team you've already improved so much. I don't know how much more I can expect or ask from you. I certainly think everyone can be better... why else taper? What I cannot do is point at someone and say, "You HAVE to drop 30 seconds!" and lay that pressure and guilt upon her. I won't do it.

I WILL say everyone CAN improve at least 30 seconds yet from their present time. Taper WILL make you feel better, even on our course. I will remind the veteran runners that many of you ran your best times last year AT SECTIONAL. That's right, ON OUR COURSE. Get it in your heads... you can go fast on our home course. And if you want to go on past Regional, you need to.

We always knew this would be tough. So let's get to it!

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