The Championship race was held today in 6 different races.  JV Girls (top 7 girl runners from each school in grades 2-6), JV Boys (top 7 boys), JV Open (all boys and girls beyond the top 7), Varsity Girls (top 7 runners from each school in grade 7 and 8), Varsity Boys (top 7 boys), Varsity Open (all other 7th and 8th grade runners beyond the fastest 7 from each school).  Our school had kids in all 3 JV races and only the Varsity Girls.  One race started every half hour and each was 1.8 miles long.  The weather was dry and cold with a breeze to start the day- right around the freezing mark.  By the first race, probably about 40 degrees and around 60 by awards time.

Each school was supposed to supply a parent volunteer to be at the finish line for each race to help pass out participation ribbons.  I was "lucky" enough to be that person for the JV Open- the first race of the day.  I was not prepared for how many kids would be puking and heaving as they cross the finish line.  There were also a half dozen or so college cross country runners at the finish and someone had mentioned about the big job they had, but I didn't realize what it was until kids were finishing.  They were trying to pull the pukers over to the side and drag the ones to the side that decided to fall down after crossing the finish (so they wouldn't get trampled by the hundred or so kids right behind them!).  You see, these championship races and invitationals are where each team is putting up a tent and bringing food because you are there for the day.  And lots of kids are sneaking food before they race rather than waiting til they are done.  Under our tent alone we had chili, donuts, granola, apples/bananas/oranges, large chocolate easter eggs, bagels, pretzels, cookies, cereal, and more.

Sean finished his JV career on a good note.  Our JV Boys team finished 19 out of 32 full teams and another 11 without a full compliment of 7 kids.  The first number is their overall place.  The number after the name is their grade level, then their time.  The top JV boy runner did the 1.8 miles in 11 minutes and 23 seconds- crazy fast!  Our JV girls team was 14th place.  It actually turns out that the coach should have put a 2nd grader on our boys team rather than in the open race because his time ended up being faster than 3 of the boys listed below.  I wonder what that would hav done to our score.  I do think that maybe because it was a 2nd grader that he left him in the open race to let the older kids be in the boys jv race one last time before they move up to varsity?  Our Girls Varsity only had 3 girls this year, so no team rankings, but they did well and 2 finished in the top 100 with the other right behind.  All in all, it was a good day!

19. Sspp Pacers 60 Zack, 6 13:43 75 Jonathan, 5 14:02 123 Jude, 3 14:56 134 Sean, 6 15:13 157 Kaden, 6 15:55 158 Josh, 5 15:56 165 Lucas, 6 16:27