Regional Results

Sorry to be so late with news.  I was waiting for the results to be posted.  It now seems that may not happen until tomorrow.  Here is an overview:

Boys race:  Zane Coburn finished 2nd overall and advances to the state meet next Saturday.  It was an exciting race through the woods, with some tactical moves used by the front runners to help control the outcome.  The boys team did not qualify as one of the top 4 in the meet, but we don't have an official list of order of finish.  We hope that all of the boys will make plans to join us Saturday, ride the bus to Carrollton and cheer for Zane.

Girls race:  With Nally in the top 10, and Isabelle, Alix and Grace in the top 15, the girls finished with 83 points, and third in the team competition.  They will run as a team Saturday.  We can use any combination of the top 12 in the race, and with Emma twisting her ankle on the slippery trails in the woods, it was exciting to see the JV girls do very well in their race.  Lia ran a very good time to finish in the top 10.  All girls are invited (and top 12 expected) to join us on the bus Saturday.

State Meet:  Carrollton, GA,  Boys at 1:00pm, Girls at 1:30pm.  We will leave Grady at 10:00 am from the parking lot.

Practice as usual Mon - Fri.  Expect a long easy run Monday, a tough speed workout Tuesday, shorter easy run with some drills Wednesday, very light Thursday and Friday.

If you are not running, or an alternate for Saturday, please wash and return your uniform and sweats to my room (C-311) this week.  It takes time to inventory and box them for storage, so give me a head start.

Let's have a huge bus load next Saturday!!!  Go Grady Gnights.

Region 5AAA Championship Meet

Region 5AAA Championship meet will be held Saturday, October 29, 2011. The bus will pick up at the Grady parking lot at 6:25 am. Be on time!

Directions to Mercer University, Atlanta:
I-85 North to Chamblee-Tucker Rd exit (Mercer University).  Turn right at at the exit.  Turn right onto Flowers Rd at the entrance to the University.  Follow Flowers road, bearing left around the campus. Look for the soccer fields on the right.  Follow directions for parking.

8:00  Varsity girls
8:35  Varsity boys
9:15  Junior Varsity girls
10:00  Junior Varsity Boys

Varsity will be seven runners, all others will run JV race.  Top 4 teams from the region qualify for the state meet (11:30 boys, 12:00pm girls) November 5th, at Carrollton.  Any of the 12 on the state roster may run as part of the 7 at region or state.  There is no JV race at state, but we encourage any team members to come with us on the bus to support the team.

Bring:  UNIFORM, sweats (handed out Friday afternoon), shoes (training and spikes), socks, water bottle, gloves.  Pack the night before and double check to be sure you have everything.  Set your alarms and have a backup person to be sure you get to Grady on time.

Weather should be clear, but cool (40o F).  Come with an open mind. Any conditions are perfect for us to race.  No excuses, resolve to run well!

Eat a very light breakfast - granola bar, banana, ½ bagel, OR something like that.  Just take the edge off, don't expect to use the food for energy.  Drink well the two days before.  Go to the bathroom just before coming to Grady.  The ride to Mercer is only 15 minutes.

Awards will be given after the JV races, around 11:00.  I hope you can all stay and even ride back with us on the bus.

Go Grady Knights!!!!

Congratulations to our boys and girls teams for some fine times this morning in Whitesburg, GA. Even though someone gave the bus driver incorrect directions to the meet, we managed to arrive before the gun went off for the first race.  Running in the championship race, the boys ran well.  Zane finished 3rd against several of the fastest individuals in the state from all classifications.  The girls did equally well with fast times on a flat course, and confident runs by everyone.  Check full results at http://ga.milesplit.com/meets/93710.  (Miles Jordan was running with Adrian D'Avanzo's number).

There will be no practice Monday.  The furlough day does not allow us to be involved in any school related activities.  Please do an easy run on your own. (This is not just a suggestion.) We will practice Tuesday at 4:00, Piedmont Park.  Please join us if you are in town.

The City Championship is this Wednesday after school.  We would like as many team members as possible to ride the bus to support the 7 boys and 7 girls that will be running. Alternates should plan to bring your uniform and shoes, and be ready to run if needed. Based on all reported times for all schools we should be able to win both races.

The Region Championship Meet is on Saturday, October 29.  We will let you know who is on the top 12 list we send to state next week.  ALL team members are invited to continue training with us, but we expect you to be regular, 5-days-a-week attendees.

The pictures from the Senior Day have been uploaded to our Picasa Web Albums. A slideshow is also available on this blog (to the left of this post.) Be sure to download those you would like to keep as we may need to edit out some as the season continues. All photos are open to the public so feel free to email the link too relatives and friends!

This Saturday is the Alexander High School/Asics Cross-Country Invitational at McIntosh Nature Preserve in Whitesburg. The bus will leave school at 6:15am. Meet in stadium parking lot on 10th street. It takes over an hour to get to the race site, so please BE ON TIME! Also, please remember that each family is responsible for bringing a snack item to Saturday events; bagels, muffins, donut holes and popular items. When in doubt, more is better!

Next Wednesday is the APS City Championship meet representing the last meet of the regular XC season and we have filled the snack schedule for the last meet. Thanks to all the volunteers who have provided snacks for the meets!

Alexander High School/Asics Cross-Country Invitational

Saturday, October 8th, 2011
McIntosh Nature Preserve

Time schedule:
8:30 Championship Boys 7 runners 5K
9:00 Championship Girls 7 runners 5K
9:30 Varsity Boys 7 runners 5K
10:00 Varsity Girls 7 runners 5K
10:30 JV Boys 7 runners 5K
11:00 JV Girls 7 runners 5K
11:30 Open Boys/Girls Unlimited

Leave school at 6:15am. Meet in stadium parking lot on 10th street. It takes over an hour to get to the race site.  BE ON TIME!

We will run 7 in each championship race, and 7 in each JV race. We will not stay for the open division. This course produces fast times. It is very flat, two 1.5 mile loops.  Check your calendars.  I know this is a Jewish holiday weekend, and a long weekend from school.  Let us know if you can run.  It is a good tune up for APS championship and for region.

Directions:  I-20 West.  Take exit 24, GA-5/Bill Arp Rd.  Go South for 23 miles (around traffic circle at 10 miles).  Turn left on BurnettRd/W McIntosh Circle.  Narrow winding road for 1.8 miles.  Look for signs to Nature Preserve and race site. (Click here for map)

Bring:  Usual paraphernalia, uniform, shirt, shoes, socks, long sleeved top and bottoms, water bottle, snack for breakfast, and a snack for the team after the race.