XC Times: Norwalk

The XC Times Our Next Meet October 17

Conference Ames, IA ISU National Championship XC Course

The Following Week October 24

Districts TBA November 2

State Fort Dodge, IA LAKESIDE GOLF COURSE

Dowling Catholic Girls X-Country FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK!

“” The Dowling Project

Dowling Catholic X-Country The Norwalk Invitational October 7, 2013

Dowling Catholic

Kaliana Vila

“”The Dowling Project”

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My XC experience began in 8 grade when my best friend convinced me to join the SEP team. When I joined I didn’t really know what XC was, or the amount of time, and energy I would put into this sport. I was not a good XC runner, but neither was my friend and I had so much fun on the team in middle school, I decided I would try it in high school as well.

My second day of summer practice with the Dowling XC team, I sprained my ankle. I didn’t return to practice until the first day of school freshman year, and when I finally returned, I was extremely nervous about joining the team. After a few weeks I began to get to know a few of the other girls on the team and began having fun.

I’ve loved my team ever since. Although running is nice, improving my time is only a small part of why I joined XC. I joined the Dowling team because of the amazing team I had left. I wanted to find an environment like my middle school team in high school. I never imagined my freshman year the amount of friends I would make because of XC. I’ve strengthened friendships I already had, and made a ton of new friends. When I look back at freshman year, I thank God that He had it in His plan for me to join Dowling XC.

I consider the JV girls my second family. Some of my favorite memories have been joking and laughing during runs, after practice, and at pasta dinners with these girls. The JV girls are my sisters. As this season draws to close, I know I will miss them so much next year. They inspire me to be the best runner, friend, leader, and Catholic. I know that whatever I do, they will support me and love me. This is what has made Dowling Cross Country one of the best experiences I have had. It’s the love, not the running that has kept me on the DCHS team for four years.

Although the running is a great way to stay in shape, nothing can compete with the running buddies, the best friends, the pasta dinners, the inside jokes, fitting as many girls in the ice tubs as possible. They are the reason I run; they are the reason I never quit; they are the reason Cross Country is so much more than just a sport. They make Cross Country a community.

Editors Note: It has been a pleasure having Kaliana on our team. She has been a great role model for our kids and constantly reminds me and everyone else on the team what is really important in life and continues to show us the life lessons that running teaches all of us.

The Norwalk Invitational October 7, 2013 Today’s Preview

This is the first time the Maroons have participated in the Norwalk Invitational. The course is fast and fair. Look for some fast times. The teams that will be participating will be SE Polk, Grinnell, Winterset, Pella, Ballard, Newton, Earlham, Norwalk, Carlisle and DM Lincoln. The Maroons will face some of the best runners of the area such as fourth ranked Grace Coen of Newton, Sierra Mitchell of SE Polk and Abby Kohut Jackson of Ballard. We’ll also see the smiling face of former Maroon Abbie Vaughan, now running for Carlisle.

Junior Varsity Sophomore Caroline Warmuth, Freshmen Jillian Jaeger and Allie McLuen will lead the Maroons in the Junior Varsity race. They are fresh off of their great performance at Griak. Watch Cate Freeman to improve significantly as she continues to recover from a nagging injury. Harriet Hubbell is also back on the mend and will be someone to watch in only her second race of the season. Also looking to improve today will be Senior Ashley Vaughan, juniors Claire Hartlieb and Shannon Beh.

The Varsity R ace The Girls Varsity Race will feature the Maroons, anxious to get back at it after their excellent showing at Griak. While Pleasant Valley edged us out in Minneapolis, the girls are primed for the BIG meets leading to state. “There’s blood in the water” as the Maroons are hungry for their championship run.

Karissa Schweizer is simply En Fuego this year. She is fast, fit and healthy. I can’t wait to see what she does down the stretch of the season. C. Vivian Broderick continues to improve along with Hannah Thomas. Hannah admittedly did not have her best race at Griak she’s ready to reclaim her spot in the state’s top runners. The two biggest surprises this year have been junior Ellen Sullivan and Sophomore Erin Cahalan. Their improvement has provided us the depth that a championship team needs.

The stability of our team is always based on senior leadership. Along with Karissa, Jenny Luksan and Nicole Svendsen have been the dependable leaders that make our team go. What is generally unnoticed by everyone outside of our team, the little but important things our seniors offer is vital to the success of our program.

“"Find though she but little, she is fierce”

William Shakespeare

Middle School XC Wrap!

“The Dowling Project”

From the Other side of the Ropes Mike and Carol Luksan

Dowling Middle School XC is fit, fast, and excited for our final 3 meets. Ten days ago we ventured to the Great White North (Minneapolis) to race at the Mustang Invitational. Both races were shorter than our normal distance of 2 miles (girls raced 2000m and boys raced 2500m) so we were not sure to expect.

We raced well; winning the girls title and finishing 3rd on the boy’s side. Dowling girls took the first 8 spots scoring a perfect score of 15 points. Janey Meilander led the way winning her third race of the season.

Last week was a tough week of training to get that final push of volume before our meet in Ankeny on 10/8, Conference on 10/15, and State on 10/19.

I am the proud parent of two cross-­‐country runners, so when Fr. Kirby asked me to write a few paragraphs about our cross-­‐country experience I quickly said yes. How tough can that be? The tough part is actually keeping it to a few paragraphs. Our cross-­‐country adventure began in seventh grade, as Jenny took up yet another sport. She added cross-­‐ country to soccer, basketball, volleyball, and track. I still recall one day in which she had practices in three sports.

Jenny was a quick study, and enjoyed early success.

Jenny won the state XC championship in seventh grade, and more importantly was part of the team champion as well. Cross country and running success seemed to come easily, and in some ways we all took that success for granted. What followed, however, were some more challenging times. Stress fractures and other maladies gave us perspective. We learned to appreciate good health. We no longer took winning for granted.

As Jenny’s Dowling running days advanced, there continued to be highs and lows. Jenny persevered with the aid of her Dowling support system. It wasn’t just mom and dad helping her through the rough spots. We learned to ask for help. We are thankful for Jenny’s coaches and teammates.

Two years ago Jenny’s twin brother Jake…the shy and quiet one…quit football and joined the boys’ cross-­‐country team. Jake attacks XC like he attacks life, with zest and energy. Jake allowed us To see the sport from yet another perspective. We saw the joy that comes from working hard and playing hard with a great group of young people. Cross county success could now be measured not only in individual and team success, but in PRs and more importantly in the long-­‐term positive relationships gained and nurtured.

And who can forget the loss that hit the Merry family, the Bott family and the Dowling community last year. We were all reminded of how precious and fleeting life itself can be. We found comfort in our faith and in our XC community.

From my perspective, our cross-­‐country experience has been a journey. I liken it to the first time we went to an XC meet.

The spectator experience was all about the running and seeing who would win on that course on that particular day.

There was a lot of running around, a lot of confusion, and some frustration as well. Now that I am a seasoned veteran, I realize that while the winning is still pretty darn fun, it is more about how we navigate a much bigger course each and every day.

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