A New Year

Happy New Year Everyone! I dont really have a whole lot to write about this time around so I thought I would give a 2009 recap and a prelude to 2010.

Here is a brief breakdown of all the Raider accomplishments:

-The boys x/c team won their first team trophy at our home invite since its inception 20 years ago, finished runner up at the conference meet and had a hard fought 7th place finish at the state qualifying sectional meet

-The girls track team qualified their first relay team for the state meet in over 10 years, finishing 10 in the 4x800 and missing a podium finish by 1 place

-Hugh Gill made the finals and finished 10th at the state track meet, missing a medal by 1 place; he also qualified for his first state cross country meet this fall, finishing 83th

-Kevin Eades rebounded from an injured ridden track season to medal at every cross country meet this fall and finish with an all conference performance

-Alec Gonzalez suprised even me by running 16:05 and finishing top 20 at the sectional meet

-Brant Watson dropped almost a minute of his pr to run 16:42 and be the most consistent member of the raider x/c team

-Cody Margetis shocked the world over the spring, running 54 in the 400 and anchored the frosh 4x4 at the conference meet to a win; he also won his first x/c race ever at the flighted Jacksonville Invite

-Gage VanOrder broke 17 for the first time this fall for 3 miles

-Evan Jenkins found a new gear at the conference track meet, running a pr in the 800 of 2:12

-Jacob VanGunten won the conference frosh race in x/c, his first win ever and the third year in a row that a Raider won that race

-Anthony Taapken put in a big summer and knocked 3 minutes off his personal best in cross

-Emily Gustafson medaled in the 1600 at the state meet finishing 7th, and also anchored the 4x800 team which made the finals

-Cassie Lohmeier had a very dissappointing spring after injuring her knee and was forced to watch from the sidelines all season. She did learn the importance of cross training in the mean time and is now a best on the track, in the pool and on the bike! She also rebounded nicely to lead her team to a podium finish in cross country

-Ashley Schmitt ran 3rd leg in the 4x800 and a pbs of 2:34 and 5:42

-Autumn Andrews showed real heart and spirit leading off the 4x800 at the state meet and handing off in first along the way; all this after missing the whole season with a foot injury!

-Rachel Innes made me nuts all season but earned her keep running a suprising leg of 2:28 at the state meet!

I expect big things from my guys and gals this spring. We have a lot of talent that is one year older, one year more mature (realtively speaking) and more motivated than ever to get all of their butts to the state meet and on that podium. I intend to work them like they've never been worked before this winter with my revamped core and plyo program! Cross your fingers that we all stay healthy.

Well, on a personal note, I am looking forward to getting out to Lyme, NH to check out the new facilities that ITA is in the process of acquiring. I'm crossing my fingers that ITA can find a spot for me to help out there this summer on their new campus!

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