XO Meet Xtra Awesome
Even pulling into the driveway at 3:00 a.m., after a four and a half hour drive, did not damper our enthusiasm for the XO Meet. The event actually began with our drive from Capital to Eugene Friday afternoon. We arrived at twilight and quickly walked several blocks to Hayward Field and then the magic began. Walking into Hayward Field, a track and field facility only, the history and tradition of this place was overwelming. To a track and field buff, this is a special place - sacred in a track and field sort of way. And the history: Jay Manning remembers all comers meets when he was a law student. Mrs. Coach Miller recalled a victory lap after winning the 400 in an Oregon - UW duel. I remember all comers meets, watching the Olympic Trials, and seeing a mile match up beween Steve Prefontaine and Dave Wottle.
Saturday was a splendid weather day. I headed to the field early to pick up numbers and then handed them out very slowly missing the coaches meeting and nearly missing seeing the beginning of Noah's race. Perhaps next year I'll get the numbers and give them to an assistant or a parent to hand out. The numbers were cool and definitely a keepsake.
There were a variety of events, more evenly distributed between distance and sprints than the average invite. Nearly everyone had a personal or seasonal record. Watching Bryce in the Steeple was one of the high lights of the day. He now knows what he needs to do before next year to get ready - buy snorkle gear. Graydon's double in the 1500 and 3000, with only one hours rest between, was inspiring. Joe beat John - or was it John beat Joe. Kailyn raced great and survived food poisioning. Rachel won her heat of the 300's and raced like a manaic in the 4x4. Colin won his heat of the hurdles. The dynamic duo of Bailey and Bekah continued to improve. Amanda was double trouble in the 1500 and DMR. Results can be found on line at XO invite 2007. We finished a respectable 12th out of 32 teams. I'm sure Coach Wright will also have more indepth girls facts at his site. School Records: Graydon 1500 and 3000 Senior and overall, Noah 3000 Junior, Kailyn 3000 Frosh, Nathan 3000 Frosh, Amanda 1500 Junior and overall, Emily 3000 Sophomore and overall, and Nick 1500 Sophomore. Also Bryce set a record in the 3000 Steeple Chase.
On the way out of the meet, we bumped into Britany Hincliffe, a former Capital Athlete who throws hammer for Team XO. Britany is training for the 2008 Olympics. I told her to put in a good word for us to the meet director for next year.
And finally, at about one a.m., on the way home we passed Battle Ground and I asked people in our van why they called it Battle Ground. I think Noah got it right by saying there was a battle and it was fought on the ground. I then slipped in some history about the Confederate fighting ship which raided the West Coast during the Civil War. Coach Frazier wondered how the ship was able to sail this far inland. I told him they put wheels on it and sailed up and down the I-5 corridor lobbing shells into nearby towns. This all came to an end when the ship hit an overpass and the locals came out and smacked the crew silly with beaver pelts.
Okay that was silly, but hey - it was one a.m.
Thanks to all the parents who drove and stayed overnight. This whole thing could not have happened without your help and support. I hope you had as much fun as the coaches and athletes.
Saturday was a splendid weather day. I headed to the field early to pick up numbers and then handed them out very slowly missing the coaches meeting and nearly missing seeing the beginning of Noah's race. Perhaps next year I'll get the numbers and give them to an assistant or a parent to hand out. The numbers were cool and definitely a keepsake.
There were a variety of events, more evenly distributed between distance and sprints than the average invite. Nearly everyone had a personal or seasonal record. Watching Bryce in the Steeple was one of the high lights of the day. He now knows what he needs to do before next year to get ready - buy snorkle gear. Graydon's double in the 1500 and 3000, with only one hours rest between, was inspiring. Joe beat John - or was it John beat Joe. Kailyn raced great and survived food poisioning. Rachel won her heat of the 300's and raced like a manaic in the 4x4. Colin won his heat of the hurdles. The dynamic duo of Bailey and Bekah continued to improve. Amanda was double trouble in the 1500 and DMR. Results can be found on line at XO invite 2007. We finished a respectable 12th out of 32 teams. I'm sure Coach Wright will also have more indepth girls facts at his site. School Records: Graydon 1500 and 3000 Senior and overall, Noah 3000 Junior, Kailyn 3000 Frosh, Nathan 3000 Frosh, Amanda 1500 Junior and overall, Emily 3000 Sophomore and overall, and Nick 1500 Sophomore. Also Bryce set a record in the 3000 Steeple Chase.
On the way out of the meet, we bumped into Britany Hincliffe, a former Capital Athlete who throws hammer for Team XO. Britany is training for the 2008 Olympics. I told her to put in a good word for us to the meet director for next year.
And finally, at about one a.m., on the way home we passed Battle Ground and I asked people in our van why they called it Battle Ground. I think Noah got it right by saying there was a battle and it was fought on the ground. I then slipped in some history about the Confederate fighting ship which raided the West Coast during the Civil War. Coach Frazier wondered how the ship was able to sail this far inland. I told him they put wheels on it and sailed up and down the I-5 corridor lobbing shells into nearby towns. This all came to an end when the ship hit an overpass and the locals came out and smacked the crew silly with beaver pelts.
Okay that was silly, but hey - it was one a.m.
Thanks to all the parents who drove and stayed overnight. This whole thing could not have happened without your help and support. I hope you had as much fun as the coaches and athletes.
posted by Milldog at 12:45 PM
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