Youth Runner Magazine November-December 2018

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HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

CABRILLO CROSS COUNTRY AND THE VCSXC CHAMPS

race day preparation

BLUE JAYS TC

EVERETT CAPELLe

SO CAL WILDCAT

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YR MOMENTS HILL TRAINING PAYS OFF Working the hills wasn’t always fun during practice but it’s useful when you’re racing on that tough course. Andres Hernandez #665 from Montalvo and Mekhi Johnson with the Atlas Stars charge the hill during the Varsity Boys Elementary race at the VCXC Championships.

SMOTHERMAN IMAGES

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YR contents: novEMBER-december 2018

READY.SET.GO

Vol. 23 Issue 5

8

Everett Capelle So Cal Wildcat SAM GHERKE FEATURE

CHECK IT OUT

13 BlueJays Track Club

TRAINING

16-17 Instagram FAN SHOTS 18-19 MEET HIGHLIGHTS Holiday Gifts for

20 Runners

story by jeff 24-25 ajohnson

27 Submit an Athlete

MORE

2-3

YR MOMENTS

6

letter from the editor

7

YR Blogger

22-23

Ask a Coach

14-15

poster

29 coming up YOUTHRUNNER.COM | 5

yr

editor VOL. 23 ISSUE 5 | NOV/DEC 2018 Publisher/Editor Dan Kesterson Editor at Large Ian Kesterson Contributing Writers, Bloggers & Reporters Chelsea Ochoa, Ciera Sesock, Kenan Pala, Pat Tyson, Bob Williams, Isabella Vu, Barrett Justema, Matt Walsh, Faith Martinez, Rych McCain, Mick Grant, Andrew Simmons, Cregg Wienmann, Taitum Schaap, Jeff Johnson.

Art Director Sean Kesterson

Ian Kesterson, Youth Runner Editor at Large

LETTER FROM THE

EDITOR Hey Team,

As we cruise through this end of the year time full of thanks, celebration, and new beginnings, I just gotta say that I love this Youth Running lifestyle. Going fast, trying hard, feeling healthy and strong.

I like waking up early to get some miles in before the sun comes up and pushing myself to the next level with my team.

But you know what else I like about being a Youth Runner? Not running. Because other stuff is fun too.

I know, it’s great to have goals and stay focused. But part of getting to those goals is taking care of yourself, exercising your brain, having fun, and trying new things.

This time of year, when the weather gets really cold and stormy, I can laugh to myself about all the people complaining about the weather because I get to go

EDITOR'S NOTES 6 | NOV/DEC 2018

snowboarding in the mountains. For me, this is something different and awesome to do beside just studying and training. It keeps my legs and lungs strong and I have made lots of new friends over the years.

Spending time up in the mountains has given me confidence to try long hikes and trail runs and not worry so much about a cold windy race day. Plus, lots of my snowboard friends like going on long runs all summer.

For Everett Capelle of the Southern California Wildcats, it’s skateboarding.

Check out our interview with Everett. I bet the act of trying a new trick again and again has helped his determination on the track in ways just running could never achieve.

So what’s your fun thing? I hope you all get to spend some fun time with your families and (strategically) goof off a bit this winter. Mix this fun new strategy in a bit and you may train harder than ever.

See you on the track after this snow blows over, Ian

GREAT TO HAVE BARRETT JUSTEMA FROM BEND OREGON AS OUR FEATURED BLOGGER THIS ISSUE

Contributing Designer Scott and Jacqui Scoggin CONTRIBUTING Photographers Smotherman Images, Klotz Images, Rachelle Clinton, Logan Hannigan-Downs, Kyle Peters, Sam Gehrke, PSImages, Eric Ward, Photo Run, Dingo Images, Rebecca Joelsen, Instagrammers, Fans cover photo Photo Run Website-Digital-Video Sean Kesterson THANKS TO: Ventura County XC, Matt and Joy Hammel, Princeton Williams ADVERTISING & SPONSORSHIPS dank@youthrunner.com SUBSCRIPTION RATES US One Year: Print $14.95 Digital $9.95 Subscribe at www.youthrunner.com PUBLISHED BY: Youth Runner Magazine is a registered trademark of GoSportz Media LLC. Published 5 times a year by GoSportz Media, LLC Copyright 2018 all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission. Editorial contributions are welcome, submit queries to editor@ Youthrunner.com. Gosportz Media LLC and it’s publisher assumes no liability for the content or opinion of it’s writers or advertisers and reserves the right to reject any advertising at it’s own discretion. Youth Runner recommends that you consult with your coach and your physician on any changes with your training, fitness and health issues.

YOUTH RUNNER

BLOGGERS chelsea’s Favorites

Color

Subject

Chelsea Ochoa Age 13

CHELSEA OCHOA:

YR BLOGGER & DISTANCE RUNNER Hi! My name is Chelsea Ochoa and I go to Cabrillo Middle School in Ventura, California, and I’m 13 years old.

There are so many reasons why I love running. I started when I was 2 years old and my Mom would always take me to the local High School’s track and she would have me chase her. I realized I loved the idea of having a space for me to run and run and run! Another reason is that I love the feeling of running a race and giving it everything I have. Pushing myself to the very limit gives me such a thrill like no other thing does.

One of my greatest running experiences was winning the 1600 and the 3200 in my Ventura County Youth Track Conference Varsity meet. I raced the 3200 first thing in the morning and I got first place. It was a REALLY hot day, so when I was warming up for my 1600, I dumped my whole water bottle on me!

I was dripping wet when I got onto the line. Right when the gun went off, I got a good start and I felt very strong and I knew that I had enough left for a great kick at the finish. Right as I passed the line, I was so happy. I got a PR of 5:29! Breaking conference age group records has also been a highlight. When I was 8, I broke an 800 record in the VCYTC Championships and my time was 2:55 and I also set a new record for my 10-year-old age group in the 1600 of 5:47.

My advice for runners is to think Positively.

Don’t think about all of the things that could happen like, “I’m too tired, I’m going to get last.” Think about what could go right in your race. You could attack that hill or stick with a certain person. Maybe you’ll even get an amazing PR. Having an open mind is always the better option in running.

Running Shoes

Pre Rac Meal

Pro Athlete

Some of my Favorites are:

Color: Yellow Phone App: I don’t have a phone!

Running Shoe: Brooks Cadence 6 School Subject: American History Pre-Race Meal: Turkey sandwich with

Havarti Cheese Movie: The Sound of Music or any of the

Harry Potters Professional Athlete: Mo Ferah or

Shalane Flanagan

Movie

Tag photos #youthrunner YOUTHRUNNER.COM | 7

everett capelle Q&A WITH EVERETT: YR: Everett, how is your season is going so far. (This interview was from the first part of September).

It`s been going pretty good so far, and I`m feeling healthy after a year full of injuries. I just won the first race of the season, without having to wear KT tape.

What are your goals now for cross country?

My goals for cross country are to get under 9:30 on my 3k races, and to place first at nationals.

What will your training look like going into November as you look towards nationals?

It will be long repeats and long tempo runs, hill repeats and sprints.

Are there any favorite cross country courses or 8 | NOV/DEC 2018

meets you’re looking forward to this fall.

Yes, I`m looking forward to the Surf City cross country meet where there is a huge hill and a long downhill.

How have you been influenced by former Wildcats such as Daniel White and Jake Ogden?

Whenever I would be struggling to do a run I would say in my head, do you want to be as fast as Jake and Dan, and then I would run faster.

How about Coach Phelps, what is the most important piece of advice he has given you?

It would either be to run my own race and not let anyone take it from me; or suggesting I go to Doctor Nilsson`s office (my chiropractor) because if not I’d probably still be injured.

What has been your most memorable race?

Probably my first race against Jason Parra (Santa Ana Lightning) when I won by .09 seconds. Jason has always pushed me beyond my limits almost every race I`ve ran and helps me learn good strategies. I’m lucky to have such strong competition in my association, we help each other get faster.

What about the toughest race you’ve ever run?

It was XC Nationals in Florida because someone shoved me into the mud and I got 27th. Plus three weeks before the race, I was on crutches with an injury. So I had to crosstrain with swimming to keep in shape.

Thankfully my other team members ran great races and we still were able to win the team title.

your best moves-tricks.

My best trick is a varial kickflip.

How often do you ride?

Pretty much every day.

Do you also surf? or Snowboard?

Yes I do both, my favorite place to snowboard is Mammoth Mountain, and I surf every weekend.

Do you run for your school and the Wildcats? Or just the Cats?

What are your favorites?

My school does not have a running team but 7th and 8th grade get to do a track meet once a year, so technically I run for both.

How was the Mammoth Camp this summer?

It was very fun, but it was hard to breathe and very tiring.

It was fun having you at the YR Camp. Did anything stick that you are using now in your xc season?

Yes, I am using the five part leg strengthening exercise.

So our readers know.....when did you start running and what is the first race or fun run you remember being in?

I started running the city track meets when I was five and got 2nd in the 50m dash, and joined the Wildcats when I was six.

We hear you’re also skateboarder. Tell us about

Color- Dark Blue Pre Race Meal- Eggs with toast or oatmeal and half an avocado Training Shoe- Asics Gel-Kayano 24 XC Racing Shoe Saucony Carrera Sports besides running- I used to do soccer 2 years ago.

Running role models- Prefontaine Skateboard brands- Volcom, Spitfire and Element School subject- Guitar Thing you like to do besides running- I take drum lessons so drums, surfing, snowboarding, skateboarding, and reading good books (the Maze Runner, I Am Number Four, etc.)

Any idea what you’d like to be when you grow up?

I want to be a pro runner and be in a band.

Your advice for other kids that want to be successful runners.

Always be positive and never doubt yourself, work hard, and choose best for you than easier for you if you have the choice.

time line of pr’s: AGE-12 | GRADE-7 CITY-San Juan Capistrano SCHOOL-Journey School AGE 8

800 - 2:36.58 1500 - 5:09.44 (National Record) 5k - 19:27.7 (World Record)

Age 9

800 - 2:33.3 1500 - 4:56.7

Age 10

800 - 2:26.73 1500 - 4:51.14 5k - 17.22 (unofficial world record)

Age 11

800 - 2:20.83 1500 - 4:37.16 3000 - 9:46.16

Age 12

3000 - 9:44.97 YOUTHRUNNER.COM | 9

ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 2013 - USATF Junior Olympics XC National Championships AllAmerican (12th) 2014 - USATF National Outdoor Champion and National Record - 8 and Under 1500m 5:09.44 2014 - World Record 5k - 8 yearold age group (ARRS) 19:27.7 2014 - USATF Junior Olympics XC National Championships AllAmerican (2nd) 2015 - USATF National Outdoor Champion 9-10 1500m 4:56.7 2015 - USATF Junior Olympics XC National Championships AllAmerican (5th) 2016 - USATF National Outdoor Champion 9-10 1500m 4:51.14, 800m 2:26.73 2016 - USATF Junior Olympic National XC Champion 9-10 11:06.7 2016 - USATF Southern California Association Youth Athlete of the Year 2017 - USATF National Outdoor Champion 11-12 1500m 4:37.16, 3000m 9:46.16 2017 - USATF Junior Olympic National XC Team Champion 11-12 2018 - USATF National Outdoor Champion 11-12 1500m 4:41.82, 3000m 10 | NOV/DEC 2018

SMOTHERMAN IMAGES

CABRILLO XC The Cabrillo Middle School Cross Country team is lucky enough to be just a couple blocks from the beach, where about 70 boys and girls from 6th to 8th grade practice three times a week. For most of the kids on the team, other sports, like basketball, soccer and volleyball are the main focus. However, hopefully this little taste of running is enough to fuel the love for the sport and coax them to give Cross Country a shot in high school and beyond. On Mondays, they take their long, easy run (for some, that means topping out at 6 miles) along the beach, Wednesdays are the days they run faster and Thursdays focus on form and technique. Getting out of school for a day to go to the Mt Sac Invitational and frozen yogurt after the longest run of the season are all it takes to convince many of them to give Cross Country a try.

Competing in the Ventura County Schools Cross Country League (VCSXC) gives the team a chance to compete on Friday afternoons in the fall against teams from Camarillo, Oxnard, Ventura, Fillmore and Ojai (all in Ventura County). The girl’s team has been untouchable this season, without a loss and using as many as 10 different scorers over the 7 regular season meets. Led by the one-two punch of Sadie Engelhardt and Chelsea Ochoa, the girls team really stepped it up another notch at the Championship meet, with a 1,2,6,7,8 finish and eight girls finishing with All County Medals (top 25). The future looks just as bright with the emergence of 6th graders Brody Daw (8th), Olivia Mobley (12th) and Bailey Burman (22nd).

The boy’s team came up two points short from third place in the champion-

ship meet, but should see a contending team emerge next season. Led by 7th grader, Henry Hammel, who was in the top 3 in all eight meets this season, and once again a strong group of 6th graders led by Finn Fancher (16th), the Stepan twins (Sean 29th, Nathan 55th) and Ethan Jekogian (53rd) should help compliment a solid group of other returning 7th graders (Jake Auster 24th, Silas Wieners 37th and Owen Siegmund 47th).

Head Coaches Joy and Matt Hammel lead a team of assistant coaches that keep the runs safe and provide the motivation required to keep the practices fun for everyone. They all agree that seeing the performances and smiles of the Cabrillo Cross Country at the end of the Championship meet was worth every minute.

YOUTHRUNNER.COM | 11

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The BluJays Track Club Is A Young Squad Ready to Soar!

By Rych McCain

For the last three years, Princeton Williams has been coaching the California BluJays Youth Track Club. It’s a female track club comprised of runners from ages 7 to 13. The club is young, so they have experienced the growing pains and the sweet victories as such.

The majority of the small 25 member squad is comprised of inner-city youth who are not only athletically talented but are seeking positive opportunities to express that talent in hopes of a brighter future that it can offer.

What is coach Williams’ philosophy and strategy with the California BluJays?

He explains, “I start girls from 7 yearsold and they can go all the way to 17. For those who are on high school teams, when they get to be around 14 years-old, they can come aboard still with my organization to compete at the USATF level and go on to make it to the Junior Olympics. So they have mul-

tiple ways to enhance their talent and keep going instead of sitting out after high school, they still have a couple of months that they can put in as well.”

Coach Williams goes on to say, “As far as our goals for what I am trying to develop with the girls is really to get them prepared and ready for high school with the right type of mentality, training, conditioning and the way they eat and drink water I’ll push them to that level mentally that they can be strong enough to compete with the best runners in the State. The goal is to make it to the Junior Olympics at the end.”

During their short time in existence the California BluJays have been very competitive against the well-established, larger and older youth track clubs not only in California but surrounding states as well.

Good Luck BluJays!

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kate peters super champs 3k SADIE DRUCKER, ON THE RIGHT, CAME UP FROM BEHIND BUT COULDN’T QUITE PASS KATE PETERS IN THE SUPER CHAMPS 3K. AT THE USATF JO XC CHAMPIONSHIPS KATE LED THE CHARGE FOR MUCH OF THE RACE AND FINISHED 2ND IN THE NATION.

logan hannigan-downs YOUTHRUNNER.COM | 15

instagram

fanpage

KIDS RULE THE WORLD! We just showcase them!

Here are some of YOUR best shots this season! Wanna see your own photos in these pages? It's easy! All you have to do is hashtag #youthrunner when you post to Instagram!

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YOUTHRUNNER.COM | 17

MEET HIGHLIGHTS PDXC MIDDLE SCHOOL CHAMPIONSHIPS This meet features a Super Champs and a Champs race for both boys and girls with over a 1000 middle school racers.

LOGAN HANNIGAN-DOWNS

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YOUTH OLYMPIC GAMES The 2018 Summer Youth Olympic Games were an international sports, cultural, and educational event held in Buenos Aires, Argentina between 6 and 18 October 2018.

PHOTO RUN

USATF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA XC ASSOCIATION MEET This was the qualifier for the national competition.

SMOTHERMAN IMAGES

VCSXC CHAMPIONSHIP The meet included races for elementary and middle school.

SMOTHERMAN IMAGES

NOVEMBER IS EITHER THE END OF YOUR SEASON OR THE PUSH TOWARDS A REGIONAL OR NATIONAL COMPETITION. IF CROSS COUNTRY IS OVER FOR YOU, TAKE A BREAK AND THEN MAKE A PLAN WITH YOUR COACH FOR TRACK. THEN CHEER ON YOUR TEAMMATES WHO ARE GOING TO FOOT LOCKER, NIKE NATIONALS, AAU OR USATF JUNIOR OLYMPIC NATIONALS.

YOUTHRUNNER.COM | 19

iTunes Gift Card $25 You can’t go wrong with a iTunes gift card. You can buy in different amounts, we chose.

Swiftwick Socks $14.99 Come in 19 different styles for runners. The Aspire One is a compression sock with great breathability.

Buy at iTunes.com or your local grocery store.

Available at swiftwick.com

FitBit Ionic $269.95 YR Blogger Ciera reviewed the Ionic and loved the features. It comes with two different sizes of wrist bands,is waterproof, has a GPS tracker, about a 5-day battery life, and a heart rate monitor. This smartwatch has many abilities that include tracking your runs, sleep patterns, swim workouts, bike rides, gym workouts, and much more.

At Fitbit.com

Current Debit Card for Teens Get this app based debit card for teensthat teaches you how to save, spend, and even donate to charities.

Your parents will have to set this up.

Details at Currrent.com 20 | NOV/DEC 2018

Soul Electronics Emotion Wireless Earbuds $49.99 The Emotion has a battery life that can last up to 6 hours. It comes with a pocketsized charging pod that allows you to easily charge the earphones on the go.

Available at Soulelectronics.com

Anker PowerCore+ Portable Charger $23.99 Anker PowerCore+ Portable Charger is compatible with iPhone Xs/XR, Android Smartphones and More. Great to keep in your backpack while traveling to meets so you’ll always be able to check in with parents.

We found this at Amazon.com

Apple Watch Nike+ Series 4 (GPS) with Nike Sport Loop

Varsity Seven: An American Rift Valley $17 Paperback | $9.99 Kindle Get your runner inspired with this book about American Distance Running in Spokane, Washington by Peter Hawkins.

At Amazon.com

$399 Apple Watch Nike+ has been redesigned to help make you a better athlete. Featuring a screen that goes nearly edge to edge, you can easily see your next workout. Builtin sensors make your exercise stats more accurate. And thanks to the high-performance Nike Sport Band, you’ll be ready to take your fitness to the next level.

Available at Nike.com

Stocking Stuffer Ideas • Subscription to YR Digital

• Running Journal

• Water Bottle

• Coaching Service

• Gloves

• Travel Money

• Hat

• Trip to a Specialty Running Store

• Backpack

• Cliff Bar YOUTHRUNNER.COM | 21

ASK A

COACH

Quincy Hettinger

Prepare, Prepare, Prepare AS A YOUNG ATHLETE, QUINCY HETTINGER COMPETED IN TWELVE USATF JUNIOR OLYMPIC XC NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS STARTING AS AGE FIVE. THROUGH THAT EXPERIENCE SHE LEARNED SOME THINGS ABOUT BEING PREPARED.

There are some things you cannot fully prepare for when approaching race day.

You might get sick the night before a race, strain a muscle during practice, or allow the nerves to get the best of you. However, there are a number of factors that you can prepare for prior to a cross country or track competition.

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PRACTICE Attend practice every week. You will become a better runner if it becomes your priority to be at practice, rather than hanging out with friends. You cannot cram your preparation for a race because it takes time and consistent effort to improve.

gear

Break in your racing shoes prior to the race so you know they fit properly and will not cause discomfort. Plan what outerwear you will use depending on weather, making sure to consider jackets, hats, mittens, and extra socks.

routine

Have a routine of what you do on the evening before and the morning of race day. This might include eating a certain item for breakfast or doing certain drills. This routine will help you feel comfortable and calm your nerves on race day. This routine will also enable you to feel more prepared for the race.

junk food

My coach would often tell us to stop eating junk food several weeks before important races so we would have more energy. Although this is a sacrifice, it will definitely help you to feel better on race day.

weather

When I was younger, nationals often took place in very cold places such as Rhode Island, Kansas, and Alabama.

Being from San Diego, we were not used to the cold and we would hold practices very early in the morning to see how much gear we would need to wear to feel good during the race.

Check the weather before the race so you will be prepared to run, rain or shine, humidity or snow.

listen to your coaches Your coaches want you to do your best and they know how to get you there.

They can only help you if you listen to them and implement their sound advice.

Although there are many unexpected circumstances that may arise on race day, we can and should prepare for all of the surprises that await us. Confucius said, “Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure.�

Because I run, I have learned the value of anticipating the circumstances that may arise on race day. Because I run, I have trained myself to adapt to new situations and be prepared for anything that might happen. Never let bumps in the road discourage you from achieving your goals!

YOUTHRUNNER.COM | 23

a story by jeff johnson Coach Pat Tyson read this during the Youth Runner Camp last summer. It’s Jeff’s talk at a Gonzaga University XC Banquet. It’s not so much a running story, it’s Jeff’s personal story and packed full of advice for life. Jeff was Nike’s first ever employee and came up with the name Nike.

I used to be a little kid, just groovin’ and sparkin’ along. Like every little kid an innocent victim of the daily events and circumstances that surrounded me.

I had no idea that I had within me any capacity to make plans or set goals, or act in ways that could shape an identity of my own choosing.

It never occurred to me that I could participate in determining the quality of my own life. I was just a little kid.

What did I know?

Just before my 9th birthday, all that changed.

My life began in the 4th grade.

It was a day in early September when a young man appeared in our classroom to announce that he had been authorized by the principal to start a 4th grade boys’ football team.

His name was Bobby Wendell, and he would be our coach.

He explained that we would play “6-man, 2-hand touch” - whatever that was, and we would compete with other schools in and around our town of Menlo Park, California.

When I say “Young Man,” I should clarify that Bobby was an 11-year old 6th grader. But Hillview Elementary School only went to the 6th grade, a grade which to me and my 4th grade peers constituted full adulthood. We believed that 6th graders wee in possession of all knowledge and wisdom.

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I bring Bobby’s age to your attention only because it makes this story all the more remarkable. Of coudrse, for us, as I said, Bobby’s competence and leadership skills were never in question.

So it came as no surprise to us when subsequent events proved that our confidence in Bobby was well-founded.

I should also clarify that at this time in my life, had you presented me with a football, a basketball, and a baseball, I might have identified the football in fewer than three tries. But quite possibly not.

Nevertheless, when Bobby asked, “Who wants to play?” my skinny arm went up. I must have liked the sound of that world “Play.”

Was I in for a surprise.

In the next few weeks, Bobby taught us the rules and techniques of football.

He taught us to carry the ball, to hand off, to lateral and throw the forward pass. He taught us ball security and to use ou tiny bodies to screen the ball as it moved through our backfield so as to deceive the other team. He taught us to drive block, to plant little kids on their butts.

It may have been “touch” football, but there was no rule against blocking.

Then, he taught us our plays.

We learned line bucks and counters, sweeps and reverses, end-arounds and bootlegs.

After school, into darkness, Bobby drilled us. We walked through our plays, then jogged through them. Feeling the music and rhythm of our bodies, a ball, and a team in a symphony of motion.

Then, when Bobby judged we were executing as close to perfection as anyone could reasonable expect from a clamor of 9-year olds. We ran our plays

at full speed, at game speed, perfecting our timing.

Finally, Bobby taught us smothering defense.

Football practice, I had discovered was demanding and rigorous. But it was a revelation to me that play could have a purpose, that there was a right way and a wrong way to play a competitive game, and that when every one of us was playing the right way, and playing the right way together it was beautiful! And so much fun!

I was to become our stating left halfback.

My favorite play was the “2 left sweep” in which I would take a quick pitch from Cliff Davis, our quarterback.

Break left behind a pancake block by Tommy Douglas, our left end, fake out the cornerback. Then, as often as not, outrun the defense to the end zone. (I was really fast.)

By the way, the “2 left sweep” and the “3 right sweep” - which was the right halfback to the other side – were forerunners of Vince Lombardi’s Green Bay Packers power sweep, still some 10 years in the future. Our plays and player positions were numbered, signifying where the ball was going. “2” in my case being the number for the left halfback.

I have always believed that the power sweep and the numbering of the plays and player positions were two things the NFL picked up from Bobby, our 11-year old coach.

We would plan six games. In our first four games we killed. We were undefeated and unscored upon. Averaging something like 40 points a game.

Our ball handling was so good that in one game, against Central, I slipped the ball to Tommy Douglas on an end-

around, and no one saw the exchange.

When I was run out of bounds, the play was whistled dead. Though the ball was on the other side of the field, headed for the end zone.

I remember extending my empty hands to the official with what was probably the most self-satisfied smile I had ever bestowed on a grown-up.

For the entire week, we returned to basics: Ball handling and blocking, walking through each of our plays, again and again, into the increasing chill and darkness of the late fall afternoons. That week we threw not a single forward pass. No did we do anything at game speed. Everything was in slow motion. We were bored and frustrated.

Already, at age 9, I took such total delight in successfully executing a hidden ball play that fooled everyone, that I didn’t mind the bad call. And neither did my teammates.

Back in our huddle, we were grinning so foolishly at each othe that we were all but useless on the next play.

Instead he stood with his back to us, ams folded, staring at the opposite sideline where our opponents sprawled on the grass while their two coaches – big, heavy set men, paces back and forth, waved their arms, and yelled at them in voices that carried across the field.

But by our 5th game, we had grown full of ourselves.

We ignored Bobby’s lessons of disciplined play, execution, timing and teamwork.

Against a good team, we played carelessly.

We were sloppy.

We showed off. We horsed around. We played like children.

The following week, as we prepared for our final game, the championship game, against a similarly unbeaten team, Bobby made sure that we appreciated the seriousness of our crimes; he made sure we felt the full burden of our shame.

And then, on a bright Saturday morning, the championship game was upon us. We played as well as we knew how. Played as well as we had been coached. With a speed, fury and precision born of repentance and a desperate need for redemption. At halftime, we came of the field leading 30-to-nothing.

In those 4th grade football games, halftime lasted about 5 minutes. You sat on the sideline grass, got a sip of water, and listened to encouraging words from your coach. But this day, Bobby was silent. He said nothing at all.

We were taking as much pleasure in the process as in the outcome.

We won that game 8-to-nothing, but we had embarrassed ourselves and more importantly we’d embarrassed Bobby.

of what that something was.

Finally, the whistle blew to start the second half as we got to our feet, only then did Bobby turn and face us. To this day I remember his exact words.

But we kept our mouths shut.

We understood that we were being punished for disrespecting ourselves, our coach, our lessons, and our own hard earned excellence. We also understood that we deserved our punishment. We were traitors. We had betrayed something larger than ourselves. Though as yet we had no notion

“I want 30 more in the second half.”

We burst onto the field, no time to waste. We had played hard in that first half. To score another 30 points would take all we had left.

That frantic second period became an all-out team effort. We were moving the ball, but the other team was doing YOUTHRUNNER.COM | 25

all they could to stop us. Late in the game, still needing points, we went to the air. Nat Floyd snagging a Cliff Davis pass for our final score.

When the last whistle blew, we dragged our exhausted bodies off the field, narrowly escaping with a 62-tonothing championship game victory.

In the aftermath, as we mingled with the other players and coaches, all of them stunned, some of them in tears, I absorbed another life lesson: When you dare to compete, you take a terrible risk. Not just that you might lose – there’s nothing wrong with losing, losing is part of life. But rather, the greater risk is that you might be crushed, killed, destroyed, humiliated.

Losing is one thing. But 62-to-nothing?

That’s getting wiped out.

So you better be ready. Every way you know how, mentally and physically. You better be ready. For to be unprepared for competition is to invite disaster.

In later years, when I was more familiar with the concept of sportsmanship and the questionable ethics of running up the score against an overmatched opponent, I briefly wondered at Bobby’s ruthless second half challenge. Then I realized that he had one last lesson to teach us: He didn’t wan’t us putting on the brakes. He wanted us to floor it! He wanted us to understand the level of success we could achieve.

When we prepared as well as we had.

When we performed as well as we had practiced. And when we harnessed the best of our individual abilities in service to a team, a team united by a common purpose. We could be successful beyond our imaginations.

The lesson on sportsmanship could wait for another day.

Well......from that day forward, I was a different boy. No longer a clueless little kid being ping-ponged back and forth by parents, teachers and events. Though I did not yet fully realize it, I had been handed the keys to the kingdom. I had been given the roadmap for success. Success at everything worth doing in life.

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I was 9 years old, and suddenly the world was mine.

spot to advance yourself and your team toward a goal that you share.

My story must sound familiar to you, because each of you has had coaches who taught you the rules and the beauty of the game. Who revealed to you the process. Who set you on the path to success. (If you didn’t have those coaches before, you certainly have them now...right here.)

Sooner than you think, you will be approaching halftime in your lives.

Armed, as you now are with the habits and conduct of professionals. Armed, as you soon will be, with your Gonzaga education and degree. You’re already ahead of the game. In fact, your halftime score is 30-to-nothing. You’ve been kicking it.

But have you yet realized that the world is yours, too?

You are here tonight being honored and celebrated for your achievements in cross country, indoors and outdoor track. Congratulations to each and every one of you. You have challenged your limits and pushed them back, which is work of fundamental importance.

But the ultimate reward of competitive spots is not what you achieve on the field of play. Rather, the ultimate reward is what you become from having committed yourselves to the imperatives of athletic training and competition. You have become Super Heroes. That is not too strong a word.

And what’s more – I’m happy to report your super powers are of equal strength. Whether you run a sub-4 minute mile or a sub-5, or even a sub6, it’s all the same, each of you by your dedication, effort, and persistence has gained a set of skills and attitudes that elevates you above your non-competitor peers.

Each of you, by your choices, resolve, and focus has acquired the behavior of champions: Preparation, hard work, repetition, doing it right, doing it right every time, no detail too small.

Regardless of your athletic achievements, every one of you has been irreversably transformed. There’s no going back. You are winners. Now and forever. You are winners.

In the future, wherever your dreams and aspirations take you, rarely will a day pass when you don’t draw upon the lessons and experiences of competitive

The second half of your lives will include the larger challenges of marriage, family and productive, satisfying work.

To meet those challenges will require the same courage, same discipline, the same passion, patience, persistence, and the same teamwork that has brought you here tonight.

Just that. Nothing new. Nothing More. And nothing less.

But you are ready. You are prepared.

You won’t be wiped out. You hold in your hands the keys to the kingdom.

The world is yours.

So, you know what you have to do.

Make a plan, show up, do the work, compete.

Be brave. Be tough. Take risks.

Leave your comfort zone. Put yourselves on the line.

Embrace challenge. Commit to the process. Welcome the pressure. Believe in yourselves. Believe in your teammates.

Never give up. Do what you love.

Do what you fear. Keep pluggin’.

And most of all, most of all, have fun.

Because preparation, competition, doing your utmost, and achieving excellence is fun. It’s so much fun.

It’s what got you through the first phase of your lives; it’s what will get you through the next.

“I want 30 more in the second half.”

submit an

athlete

BRYAN HAILEY Bryan runs TAAF and AAU track & cross country, but his favorite distance so far is the 5k road race.

In his first 5k he got out front early, took a wrong turn and finished early. When he learned he didn’t run the correct route he took off and finished the course but disappointed he didn’t win.

Since then he and his dad have run all across Texas from Dallas to Midland and from Lubbock to McAllen. His dad can’t keep up any longer so now he watches from the side lines and cheers him on.

At AAU Junior Olympic Games in Iowa last summer Bryan won the 11yr 3000m with a 10:02, and was 3rd in the 1500m with a 4:53.

On a super muddy course at AAU XC Nationals in Knoxville Bryan was 1st.

Keep a watch out for Bryan during indoor track season.

9yr old PR. (5k. 20:07) 9yr old PR. (1500m. 5:45) 9yr old PR. (Mile. 6:03) 9yr old PR. (800m. 2:46)

YOUTH RUNNER TOP DOG OF THE MONTH TOP DOG OF THE MONTH

NORTHEAST REGION CHAMPION

Nathan Morales, 14 San Antonio, TX

Jack Stanley, 17 Lake Oswego, Oregon

8th grader Nathan took first in a big meet called the Patriot 16th Annual XC Invitational with 651 runners.

Way to Go Nathan!

Senior, Jack Stanley from West Morris Mendham High School finished the Foot Locker Northeast championship race in 15:30.2 for the win.

Good Luck Jack!

FOOT LOCKER SOUTH CHAMPION

London Culbreath McKinney, TX High school junior has won three consecutive state championships and won the Foot Locker South Region 5,000 in 17:12.9.

Nice running London!

ARE YOU A yr-kid?

Let us know what makes you a Youth Runner.

Submit an Athlete at: youthrunner. com/events/ athlete/submit

READ MORE ABOUT THESE ATHLETES AT YOUTHRUNNER.COM YOUTHRUNNER.COM | 27

ELITE MIDDLE

SCHOOL

CAMP

AUGUST 5-9, 2O19 OPEN TO BOYS & GIRLS ENTERING 6TH-8TH GRADE THIS FALL FOR MORE DETAILS GO TO: YOUTHRUNNERCAMP.COM

LIMITED SPACE MIDDLE SCHOOL ATHLETES SCHOLARSHIPS MAY BE AVAILABLE EMAIL CAMP@YOUTHRUNNER.COM

REGISTER NOW AT: YOUTHRUNNERCAMP.COM 28 | NOV/DEC 2018

COMING UP! Here’s just a few of the track meets and runs you’ll want to add to your calendar.

AAU XC AAU CROSS COUNTRY NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP | KNOXVILLE, TN| DECEMBER 1st Regional and Association Meets go to youthrunner.com or aautrackandfield.org

HIGH SCHOOL BORDER MEETS NIKE BORDER CLASH | BEAVERTON, OR | NOVEMBER 17th

FOOT LOCKER MIDWEST REGIONAL | KENOSHA, WI. | NOVEMBER 24TH NORTHEAST REGIONAL | BRONX, NY. | NOVEMBER 24TH SOUTHEAST REGIONAL | CHARLOTTE, NC | NOVEMBER 24TH WEST REGIONAL | WALNUT, CA. | DECEMBER 1st NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS | BALBOA PARK-SAN DIEGO, CAL. | DEC 8TH More info @ footlockercc.om

NIKE CROSS NATIONALS HEARTLAND | SIOUX FALLS, SD | NOVEMBER 11th NORTHWEST REGIONAL | BOISE, IDAHO | NOVEMBER 10TH MIDWEST | TERRE HAUTE, IN. | NOVEMBER 11TH SOUTHWEST | CASA GRANDE, AZ | NOVEMBER 17th SOUTH | THE WOODLANDS, TX | NOVEMBER 17th SOUTHEAST | CARY, NC | NOVEMBER 24th NORTHEAST-NY | WAPPINGERS FALLS, NY | NOVEMBER 24TH NEW YORK-NY | WAPPINGERS FALLS, NY | NOVEMBER 24th NATIONALS | PORTLAND, OR | DECEMBER 1st

USATF JUNIOR OLYMPICS XC NATIONALS | RENO, NV | DECEMBER 8th Regional and Association Meets - youthrunner.com or usatf.org For more results, and event dates check the calendar at youthrunner.com

XC COACHES ASSOCIATION EAST REGIONAL | NEWTOWN, PA | NOVEMBER 4TH NATIONAL YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIPS | LOUISVILLE, KY | NOVEMBER 17TH FOR THE DETAILS AND REGISTRATION LINKS GO TO YOUTHRUNNER.COM YOUTHRUNNER.COM | 29

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