State Group 1 Championship
Saturday, November 14, 2015
Holmdel State Park
This was the sixth consecutive trip to the State Championship meet for our girl’s program. Something to be very proud about. Roshni and Mehek had a great last run. It has been a wonderful ride for both of them, as they have contributed so much to the recent success of SHS girl’s cross-country. We all look forward to seeing them compete at the collegiate level
The meet had some other bright spots – the first being that we were able to stay healthy and get to run here! The other was that our returning underclass runners had a nice showing and gained valuable post season experience. We finished a very respectable 14th.
It was so good to see everyone else from the team show up and support the girls. The boys spirit at yesterday’s was quite evident and it is my hope that you get to enjoy the Group experience next season. I do have high expectations and I know you share those with me.
I have many thoughts and future communications to share with all of you, but would like to address some of these now, if I may:
First, Thank you so much for the gifts that you gave to the coaching staff. They are cherished and mean so much to each of us. I already have mine proudly displayed on my awards case.
To our departing seniors, a big thank you for your loyalty, devotion, and contributions. You should not shortchange yourself in any way by thinking you didn’t make a difference. Each and every one of you made contributions and have made this team the success it is. Our success isn’t determined only by meet results. As I said yesterday at our dinner, the family atmosphere of our program is something that is very special and is not commonplace with every high school team. Our chemistry is a product of many different and wonderful personalities all caring and bonding with each other. Remember – I am always here for you. Please drop me a line from time to time and stay in touch. We will miss you all so much. I wish each of you a bright future that is filled with health, happiness, success, and everything good that life can bring your way.
Special thank you to Suhail, Roshni, and Meek for their valuable contributions as team captains.
To all of our underclassmen – it is my hope that everyone will be back next year. Come back with bigger individual and team goals. Each season must start with a new air of excitement and focus. I already miss XC and can’t wait for another season to begin! However, you all have so many wonderful things in front of you this school year, so take one step at a time and enjoy everything that comes your way. Crack down on your studies, be involved in everything that you can be a part of, and make every day of your high school experience count. You only get to do this once in life – so make the most of it.
Kathy has made countless contributions as an assistant coach. While I know you will all miss her, I can’t begin to put into words how it feels from my side. It is always wonderful to have an alumnus come back and be a part of the program. In this case, it has evolved into much more than that, as she has become a dear friend to me and to my family. We all thank her for the way she cares for everyone, endless devotion, and generosity. I was proud to be her coach, prouder to have her become a part of my coaching staff, and even luckier to have gained a lifetime friend. We all thank her so very much.
Claire and I are quite excited about Chris taking on a bigger role with the program as assistant coach. Again, I feel so fortunate to have a former captain come back to coach with our program. He has spent this past season observing, working with you in the summer and at our meets, as well as sharing his thoughts with the staff about the team. In one short season, he has already made his mark. I value his opinions, his insight to this sport, and cherish his friendship. There is no other way to explain this, but cross-country simply enriches everyone’s lives in one manner or another- especially mine. For me, this is another example.
Team Picture Link:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/136682020@N05/23026354415/in/album-72157658897252993/
