Indianola Invite Handout

The XC Times Our Next Meet Saturday September 28

The Roy Griak Invitational University of Minnesota in Minneapolis (Varsity only)

The Following Week Thursday October 3

The Bishop Austin memorial pro-am invitational…for the cure Des Moines Menace Practice Facility

Down the Road October 7

“” The Dowling Project

Norwalk Invitational October 17

Conference Ames, IA ISU National Championship XC Course

Dowling Catholic Girls X-Country FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK!

Dowling Catholic X-Country The Indianola Invitational September 26, 2013

Ashley Vaughan I remember my sister coming home during the summer before her freshman year at Dowling saying that she was going to go out for cross country because some (weird) guy named Father Kirby asked her to. Confused, I asked her how she was possibly going to cross country ski in the Iowa summer…I was a smart seventh grader.

At that point, I never would have guessed that two years later I would be joining the same team and considering running an enjoyable endeavor. Now, anyone who has talked to Father knows that I am no star athlete. In fact I am most famously known for being Queen of the “Wus-­‐wagon” seeing as I have had my fair share of injuries, or what Father calls an extreme case of wuss-­‐itis. But the injuries didn't take me away from the sport. For myself, cross-­‐country was about something more that times or places, I loved the way running made me feel.

In every other sport I participated in I never felt accomplished. I could win medals and trophies but the satisfaction of my hard work never seemed to endure or carry over into my everyday life. When I began running I felt a transformation in myself.

Suddenly I knew the importance of teamwork, the vitality in positive thinking, and the power of sacrifice. I found myself growing into a better leader, a stronger student, and a more driven individual.

With the support of an amazing team, alright coaches ;), and a wonderful program, I am blessed and humbled to say that I have been a part of Dowling Catholic Cross Country for four years. It is hard to imagine summers without early morning runs or school days without my team; however, the friendships and lessons I have made and learned over my time are ones I will cherish going into the next chapter of my life. I look forward to the rest of this season with all of the dorks I call my teammates and hopefully cracking a few more jokes with Father (maybe even a Darlin’ Companion duet) before my XC career is over.

Editor’s Note: Ashley has been a complete joy to have on our team these past four years. I’ve always maintained that Ashley is one of the most gifted athletes on our team, yet injuries and illness have perhaps kept her from achieving some of the achievements she has set for herself. Still, running cross-­‐country has perhaps taught her some of the skills and discipline that she will likely use in pursuing the manifold life possibilities she has before her. While her failed appreciation of quality music, her sense of humor, timing and overall lack of wit is something that needs attention, Ashley will be GREAT at whatever she sets her heart to. We love having Ashley as one of our leaders and teammates. We will miss her next year.

Dowling Catholic “”The Dowling Project” The Indianola Invitational September 26, 2013 Today’s Preview Today the JV takes the stage and basks in the spotlight of today’s meet. While the varsity is off to the Roy Griak Invitational in Minneapolis this weekend, the Second Ten and the rest of the team are excited to show you how tough and fast they are.

With the others out of the way, watch for Claire Hartlieb to set the pace for the Maroons. Claire had an outstanding race Saturday in Ames where she dropped nearly a minute in her season’s best time. Claire’s supporting cast will include junior Shannon Beh and freshmen Cate Freeman and Olivia Denkinger.

Shannon is having a break out season and continues to drop time while at the same time emerging as one of our leaders. We can hardly wait to see how far Shannon can go!

Olivia Denkinger is a quiet yet influential force on the team. Olivia is a hard worker and already a great presence on the team. I saw those qualities in Olivia even as a seventh grader when she broke her arm hurdling. Thank goodness the hurdling thing is no longer a problem as Olivia continues to improve both in time and in confidence.

Cate Freeman is another freshman to keep an eye on. After a great spring and summer track season, Cate found herself on the sidelines injured. Being deliberate and careful in Cate’s recovery, now she is beginning to feel like her old self again and evolving into the quality runner that she will become. Watch for Cate in the second half of her race today as we have agreed to “let the Filly run!”

Two of this week’s Beasts of the Week will also be in action today. Kaliana Vila and Ellen Lloyd will continue to impress as they keep going down in time and up in confidence and aggression.

The Varsity Race The #1 Maroons or “The Maasai,” as I like to call our varsity (The Maasai is a tribe in Africa that is known for their group running and incredible stamina) will be in action at the Roy Griak Invitational where they will face 50 plus teams and more than 500 runners in their race Saturday. The Maroons are three time team champions in recent years and are looking to build on their awesome race last Saturday in Ames. “"Find though she but little, she is fierce”

William Shakespeare

The Bishop Austin Dowling Pro-Am Invitational Select Paradigm Race “For the cure”

“The Dowling Project” From the Other side of the Ropes

In 1912, a young man from Rhode Island was assigned Bishop of the See of Des Moines. His name: Daniel Austin Dowling. And under his leadership Des Moines became an official Diocese of the Church. Bishop Dowling was considered a national leader in church history and education. Dowling had a fine intellect and excellent organizational skills. He founded Dowling Catholic in Des Moines. As Bishop of Des Moines, Dowling was appreciated for his courage, simplicity, kindness, and especially his commitment to education. But history has failed to recognize his significant contributions to athletics; especially to the brave young men and women who, as he stated, “dare to lace ‘em up and race one another over those Iowa rolling hills”.

So to honor this legacy, the Bishop Austin Dowling Memorial Classic R ace for a Cure was born….a race…..not for those who want to win at any cost; but for those who simply don’t want to be last – and….who have a desire to be first in line for dinner.

A number of people have asked, “what is the Bishop Dowling Classic”, especially newcomers to th the team. I think this is about the 10 year of the race; and like most good and fun things, it was started only as solution to a one time small problem as the team flipped to the second half of the season. Each year, the meet schedule seems to have a hole between meets; so to keep the kids focused and competing, this intramural fun race was begun. I am writing to you now to share some important information so you can plan on attending.

rd • The festivities will begin about 4pm on Thursday October 3 .

We hope the whole family will attend. We will even have a short fun run for younger siblings or coaches kids (guess who always wins!)

• This is a fun afternoon; and includes an individual and team competition.

Since dinner will be at least an hour after we arrive, we are going to make this easy and bring in some food for the main items. We’ll ask everyone to make a CONTRIUBTION towards the cost. (FYI, the dinner – plus all athletes will receive a t-­‐shirt – will be a little more than $5 each) PLUS, the Middle School students are being extra generous and bringing DESERT! Yea! Thank you!

None of the runners need a ride to the race. All runners to warm up in a run to the race rd location – which is 63 and GRAND; the MENANCE SOCCER FIELDS near Sand’s Volleyball. They will need a ride home from the meet.

Bring a chair – while this is a perfect location for the kids to get to and all of us to watch most of

It’s going to be a blast again this year. Say a prayer for good weather.

Since the coaches are so busy with the kids and our Team Reps (thank you so much for all your work) have so much to do, I have offered to coordinate the logistics of the Bishop Dowling Classic this year.

Kathy Halliwell

The Girls Cross Country team at Dowling is a community, with every runner supported by each other, and the families of all runners.

Cross-­‐country is a sport where hard work, dedication and determination pay off both on the racecourse and in the classroom. Our Dowling girls are motivated to work hard. It is truly inspiring to watch the runners come in the chute at the finish line. Teammates line up to cheer for their own, until the final runners are in. These kids are tough!

Meagan was introduced to the sport of Cross th Country in the 6 grade. She had the good fortune of having Ann Flood as her track coach, who encouraged her to join the Middle School Cross Country program. Not entirely sure what it was all about, she joined: Meagan came back from her practices with great tales of fun and hard work.

She was hooked!

Running for Father Kirby has been a wonderful experience for Meagan. His passion and dedication for coaching the sport of Cross Country are contagious! She is learning that hard work and determination pay off, and that commitment to being the best you can be is a great goal!

I have been lucky enough to travel with many of the girls to the High Altitude training camp at Estes Park, CO for the last 4 years. What an inspiration these girls are, running and training in the thin air, against a beautiful backdrop of mountains!

The experiences that Meagan and the girls have been afforded through Father Kirby’s and Coach Parriott’s cross-­‐country program are truly outstanding! I also love that faith is present at all practices and meets, and am thankful that Father Kirby provides wonderful spiritual guidance for all of the girls.

Many of the senior girls running today were in the th Middle School Program too, as 8 graders, when Meagan started running. It has been a privilege to watch these young ladies over the past 4 years becomes the talented, dedicated runners and excellent role models that they are today.

Good luck girls, at Indianola and Griak! We wish you all the best this season. We will be there, cheering you on, truly blessed that we are a part of the Cross Country community at Dowling Catholic High School.

Sophomore Megan Halliwell Kathy Halliwell ©Dave Mable

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