As always, the end of week 2 of camp, meant it was time for the Cross Country Kickoff at Forest Park. De Smet had a great showing of guys that have trained all summer.
The guys were a little disappointed that they could not sign up as teams, because all week there was negations going on for who would be on what team. Not a probelem, though. The runners would just have to sign up by themselves.
After a warm up with Coach Garwitz and a run through of the new warm up, the guys were ready to break out the old Cross Country spikes again and head to the line.
It rained a lot Friday night, so the grass was tall and wet. It wouldn't have been a surprise if times were slow because of the conditions, but there were actually several PRs!
Jack Husmann led the way, setting a PR of 18:25. Close behind him were seniors Josh Goetz (PR) and the return of John Madey who ran a great race after more than a year off.
After those three came Brian Scherping. Brian ran a great time of 19:27 in his first 5k with De Smet. Brian learned some valuable lessons as he looks to bring his success in track to cross country. Dan Bowman returned from traveling all summer in time to race, and ran 22:55.
It is hard to get sophomores to come to morning practice every day in the summer. They can't drive, so they have to go out of their way to get a ride from an older runner or beg their parents. We had several this summer who did this, and their hard work already paid off in the first 5k of the season.
Mike Callahan, Justin Potter, Glen Mcgann, and Pat Callahan are just a few, and they all ran under 21:30, great times for not officially being in season yet.
It was good to see alumni Connor Callahan, who ran the race. Chris France and Andy McWhorter were there doing a long run around Forest Park.
As if a good Cross Country kickoff time isn't reason enough to wake up early every day and come run, the reward got even better when the guys from Forest Park met Kabes, Jimmy Reed, Mackenzie Smith, and the Russo family at the Traughber house for Pancake Breakfast! As always, Liz had pancakes, sausage, fruit, eggs, and all the chocolate milk we could drink prepared. It was all delicious, thanks for having us Coach Traughber and Liz.
Practice starts August 9. Keep running.
-Potterman
