Hale XC Week 3

Palmyra Invite and Runathon Recaps

The early season heat didn't subdue the feeling of fall in the air as the 2021 cross country season officially kicked off last Thursday.  The men put in a big week of training with the focus on being on growth as a team through the season.  Workouts and races are all used as part of the learning process in becoming better racers and a better team.  Thursday brought a great opportunity to get back to racing and in both races the men were able to take home first place.

In the first race, the field was a bit smaller but the Hale men were focused internally on our own race plan and put in great efforts nonetheless.  Sam Walder went out near the front and kept his teammates close behind on the pedal.  Deven got out aggressive and we LOVED that.  These are the meets we look for athletes to take risks and show courage in challenging themselves.  It is risks and failing that bring about improvement.  If Deven continues to take those types of risks in practices and meets, great things will happen.  While he fell back a bit this week, Mikey and Dylen were able to come back up on Sam and form a pack of three.  Mikey kept fighting and ultimately finished as our top scorer with Sam and Dylen right behind him.  For his effort in staying with the pack, Mikey earned athlete of the week.  This has been stressed a lot at practice, to give yourself a chance to stay latched on with teammates as although you'll experience discomfort in the short term, ultimately you'll be rewarded with the energy of your teammate.

Chase Witty and Deven rounded out the team scoring.  A shout out as well to Elijah Sayeg for completing his first 5k and putting in positive work his first two weeks.  We look forward to watching him improve!

In the 2nd race the men experienced a quick start with Carson leading the Huskies out.  Collin and Alex stayed right off his pace while Jack and Parker created a bit of work for themselves early but were positioned ready to move up.   We sent just five men to the line, so all of them knew they would be needed for scoring.  Alex found himself in 5th place on his 2nd lap entering the woods and was able to focus ahead seeing 1st place not too far ahead.  Coming out of the woods Alex was in 2nd place and finished 3rd overall in a tight battle.  Collin was able to finish strong as well after feeling fatigued coming off a great Tuesday workout and Monday double.  He is a guy who will do well off a restful Sunday and reap huge gains from the great week.  He finished with a great runathon Saturday to boot.  

Jack Hutter was our 3 man and ran a solid first race.  He has made huge strides with some great training and is now working on improving the pace to go off his already strong aerobic capacity.  Carson Shane, who took the race out, fought back late to help his team garner a lower score toward the victory and earned runner of the week for this.  Parker Szura rounded out our 5 man scoring and didn't have his best race but is fit and ready to surprise a lot of people this year.

The team finished the busy week with a Runathon Saturday night.  We faced some adversity at first with the lights not being able to get on, but we were patient and ready to find a way to overcome any obstacles.  The night turned out to be a great success and we thank all the parents who came to be involved with it!  

Donations to our Runathon will be due by Thursday's practice.  Make any checks payable to 'Nathan Hale Boy's Cross Country'.  Athletes can turn the money into me.

Below are the meet results and Runathon results so you can use for lap donations!  Let me know if you have any questions on that.  


2021 Hale XC Results.

2021 Runathon Results
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Betz Invitational this week!

Meet information and lineups can be found here -  Betz Invitational

​This is our home invitational and it's a 20 team invite.  It's one of the best invitationals in the state every year and we look to put on a great meet.  With that, any parent help is appreciated and we have some simple jobs if you are willing to help when your son isn't racing.

I can use a few parents from 3:45 - 5:30 (var parents), and a few from 5:30 to 6:30 (frosh/jv parents).  Just let me know if you can help.  Thanks!

Here's what the week looks like, all the way through Labor day practice next Monday.
Monday - 7:45 a.m. practice at Hale
Tuesday - 7:45 a.m. practice at Hale
Wednesday - First day of school!  Practice will now be 3:30 p.m.  - meet in Room 108 (Dewitt's room)
Thursday - 3:30 p.m. practice  - 5:00 pasta party at 1750 S. 96th St.  (Thanks Zabzebski's and Witty's!)
Friday - Betz Invitational!  See the meet information.
Saturday - On own runs assigned (no formal practice)
Sunday - Veteran's long run meet up / assigned (younger athletes off)
Monday - Practice at 6:00 p.m. - is mandatory so please communicate