A New Take on Hill Training

Making good on a promise today! They do seem to enjoy sliding down it in the winter more than running up it in the fall. :)

Academic Excellence: Gold

Exciting news: We just received official word that the Nighthawk Cross Country​ Varsity Girls' and Boys' teams both earned Team Academic Excellence Recognition through the Minnesota State High School Coaches' Association! Both teams were awarded Gold Level status, based on cumulative GPA's going into the 2015 season. Congratulations to our student-athletes!

2015 Promo Slideshow

The best we could do to condense 3 months in to 3 minutes! Practices, home course work day (a.k.a. Mega Fun Day), games, races/meets, sibling fun runs, and all around good times... This is Nighthawk Cross Country:

From 28th to First

Home Schooled Madeleine Davison Wins Foot Locker Northeast. 17:39 5K. Wow. The real story here is how she paced herself to make it happen. Read about it here: http://bit.ly/1Rd3TwA

501(c)(3)

Big news! (Seriously. More big news.) We just received our letter from the IRS, confirming our tax exemption status under IRC Section 501(c)(3). Because of our "effective date" (*before* the fundraising push), those of you who financially supported our team this year will get a tax deduction! Woo hoo! We'll be sending letters for your records.

Anyone else looking for an organization to bless with a year-end donation? Send it our way. :) For more information, visit Our Sponsors page.

End-of-Season Awards Banquet 2015

A sweet ending to a great season. We had over 100 in attendance--everyone brought their families, which is so representative of our team and the support these kids have. Amazingly there was plenty of food (one of our team-girls made the Nighthawk cakes!), and cleanup was quick with all hands on deck.

The program takes a while, with words of encouragement spoken over each athlete, one at a time, as Participation and Dedication awards are presented. Additional awards include Presidential Volunteer Service, Athlete of the Meet (given for any number of reasons and one of our favorites), Most Improved, MVP, Captains, and Seniors. And now being a Varsity program, we had the exciting privilege of awarding our very first Varsity Letters (pictured, minus a couple boys).

So cool to have all these "firsts." Love this crew. Go Nighthawks!

Press

A little publicity is good for a new program, don't you think? :) Erika had the amazing opportunity to be interviewed by the sports writer from our local paper. She enjoyed it very much, and he did a great job representing her and our team in this article:

There was another sub-plot that didn't make it into the story: another new homeschool CC team in our state. After our team's League membership was approved, we were able to help the Rochester team through the process. Good thing, too, because they ended the season with an individual State qualifier as well, from their boys' team. Talk about an exciting debut varsity season for homeschool cooperative teams! Since the girls' State race was held before the boys' event, Erika had the honor of competing first, but the two share a place in homeschool sports history. It is so exciting to watch opportunities unfold that so very recently didn't even exist for these kids.

State

Wow, what a day. Erika Swanson finished the Class A Minnesota State Cross Country Championship race in 31st place, running smart and tough with competition (and crowds!) like nothing we'd ever seen. Thousands of girls statewide (over 200 schools' worth) compete each year for the privilege of the final 176 spots at the starting line. She ran the race set before her (Heb. 12:1) and has much to be thankful for in this season as a whole.

She also made history--whether or not it will be recorded anywhere ;) -- as the first athlete in Minnesota, in any sport, to compete in a State Championship representing a homeschool cooperative team. We all learned so much. The experience itself was more fun and exciting for her and her teammates than any of them thought it would be, and several left starry-eyed with their own State dreams. Erika's highlights? Being allowed into athlete-access-only areas, just by flashing her race number. Visiting St. Olaf College. Sharing a starting box with one of her heroes. Having the onsite support of teammates and families. And, of course, finding her name listed on the State t-shirt. :)

All typical of what cross country means to our team: fun, new experiences, inspiration, and a side of surprise. We just love Nighthawk Cross Country. Thanks to all who helped make this happen.

Pre-State Fun

The CC course was open this afternoon so the athletes could check it out before the big day. The starting area is massive. In fact, *everything* here is BIG. And there are a lot of *very* excited kids here. We brought buddies today for pre-meet warmups and moral support...okay, comic relief. We also were thrilled to meet up with our college track/CC coach (we parent-coaches met at St. Olaf, where the State meet has been held since our time there) as well as one of Erika's childhood babysitters who now runs there. It's all a bit surreal. Will keep you posted Saturday--Go Erika!

Sections

It was a great day for the Nighthawks at our very first Section cross country meet. There were a few "Who?" comments, but all seemed positive. The course was cold, wet, and slow; but over half our boys' team came home with PR's, both boys' and girls' teams outscored a few other teams (gotta start somewhere), and our top girl qualified for State! So...it turns out the season has been extended while she makes a little more history for us, representing a homeschool cooperative team at a State Championship. Congrats to all of our Nighthawks for a great season, and we'll be cheering for you next week, Erika!

Final

This event was a big "grade level" meet where runners were grouped by age and not varsity, JV, etc. A Nighthawk highlight was our representative senior girl, a first-year runner, in her final high school cross country race. She went to the line singly, but not alone. Her teammates looked out for her, warmed up with her, and stood with her until it was time to take the line. She found her pace, responded to her coaches at critical points along the way, and truly competed, finishing strong as family and friends cheered with all their hearts. She took 58 seconds off her personal record! And once she caught her breath, she said it was really fun. This is cross country.

Burned

Cold days are also good for building fires. After our run, we talked about the lies that come into our minds when we're tired or hurting--especially in a race--but also the lies about who we are. We wrote them on notecards and burned them. Maybe next time I'll think to bring marshmallows. This week we head into the post season--the Section meet!

Chilly

What do you do for end-of-season morale when it's cold and raining? Go for a run, play a game, and come back to the barn for hot cider and popcorn. Of course you do. ;)

Fall Bliss

Once a week we meet for practice at the location of the co-op where many of the kids take classes. The road/traffic situation is limiting, so we plan workouts that can be managed on a one-mile stretch of gravel road. In principle it sounds pretty boring; but practically it does work out, the kids don't complain, and dirt roads are nice for the legs.

This was one of those perfect fall days when you feel like you can run forever and wish the season would never end.

Breakthrough: Flat and Fast

 Amidst all the fun, we've had some tough weeks. Very challenging race courses, training through, and lots of coaching/teaching on form and breathing. Pre-race day, the kids were a little low on "oomph" and not super excited about competing. We arrived at the meet to be greeted by cold (50s) and wind. But the consensus was that it was better than the heat, and in walking the course they discovered it to be crazy flat and promised to be fast.

The junior highers were up first, taking 1st place individuals in both boys' and girls' races and PR's by everyone else. That set the tone for some excitement. Girls' high schoolers were next, with our first runner breaking the 20-minute barrier and most of the rest smashing their PR's as well. They sent the boys out to ride the wave, and they too crushed their previous records. [Pictured: much needed and well deserved breakthrough performances for these runners!]

Meets are not the end all. We strive to create a balance of fun and competition (with themselves and others), and we've been proud of these kids all season. Although times and places aren't the only determination of progress, today they just *looked* different: strong, confident, athletic. Things came together for them, and our hope is that they will see races as a place to find what's inside them and show themselves how far they've come.

Team Moms

Shout-out to our team-moms! Most of them are full-time teachers of multiple ages and grade levels. They juggle schedules, field emails, shop for shoes, and sign enough paperwork to fell a tree. They coerce their kids out of bed for early-practice days, help watch coaches' kids (and even run "CC Jr." sibling-practices for fun), organize carpools that smell like locker rooms, and do a ton of laundry. They check the lists, criss-cross town for meets (often with younger children in tow), take lots of photos, and cheer with pride and often tears for their precious Nighthawks. We'd be sunk without your support. Thanks, moms.<3

Cross Country Junior Fun Run

Team siblings come watch and cheer for so many meets, so this was their chance at a race of their own--and this time, the Nighthawks were out there cheering for *them*! Cutest thing ever (e.g., "I have to take off my warmups"). Several of these kids have been working out with a few of the team moms at a local park during regular CC practice on Mondays, so there were some pretty impressive performances out there.

 It was also an opportunity for a few of our high school student-athletes to take on a service project of organizing an event: plan the races (various distances depending on age group, up to one mile), promote the event, take registrations, purchase awards and post-race snacks, enlist their teammates as race-day volunteers...and make sure the course was mowed and marked, the horses in, and the electric fences OFF. ;)

Overall, lots of smiles from kids and spectators alike. Looking forward to having these "juniors" on the team in the future!

Poker Run

In our continual pursuit of running gimmicks, we've introduced our newest game: Cross Country Poker. We sent the runners out with maps of the neighborhood, showing them where to find cards. Teams had to report back to Home Base after retrieving each card. Five card draw, best hand wins.

Team Dads

Notecards

One of our post-race traditions/exercises is to reflect on the race just run. (1) What did you like about it? (2) What didn't you like? (3) What do you want to change for next time? (4) What did you notice about another teammate or competitor? Some kids are more reflective than others, but our goal is to see thought-growth over time in each athlete as s/he becomes more aware and intentional. This week's gems: "I pushed myself and used the downhills to my advantage," "Everyone was hurting, so I hurt harder," "My hair was in my eyes--I need a haircut," "Sportsmanship--the girl who beat me thanked me for pushing her." Love these kids!

Gale Woods

 "The Farm" is known as one of the toughest cross country courses in the state. One of the hardest parts of endurance coaching is out in No Man's Land: that place beyond where most spectators are willing to run, where your precious athletes are experiencing major mental and physical challenges, where your role as coach has to override your instinct to mother. They're tired and hurting and everything burns. They see you and they tell you with their mouths or their eyes that they *can't*, and you have to be the voice that tells them they *can*. Although there were some struggling performances, every single one finished the race set before them. In the end they went home with a number of PR's and some "hardware" (awards), too. Never give up.

Facilities

Me, noting the facilities at a big Class AA cross country meet: "I'm sorry guys, I can't give you a fieldhouse."
Nighthawk runner: "What's a fieldhouse?"
Me: "Kind of like our barn. A place to stretch when it's raining.";)

Rum River

Yesterday's team talk was on "racing": finding someone to run with and sticking with them, taking control versus letting the race happen around you. Life lesson, really. And these kids think we're just coaching them to *run*. ;)

Unfortunately most of today's races were thunderstormed out, but I did get this shot of the girls' varsity race that demonstrates the concept. She took the message to heart, maintained contact to take 6th place, and came within 2 seconds of the 20-minute barrier--so close, but still worth a t-shirt and a big PR. Wouldn't you know, one of her favorite stories was of chatting at the starting line with her competitors about runners' tan lines...but during the race, it was really quiet (except for the spectators, of course).

Gotta love cross country.

Rocket Run

First official (scores & uniforms) meet of the year, and we had 3 remaining high school kids who didn't think they could run a 5K without walking, as they were still walking during practices. So during pre-race warmup, Coach presented them the challenge: an ice cream gift card to whichever could do it--and each one of them DID. We'd never seen them put out so much effort and heart. *We* knew they could do it, because we had the cards ready. But sometimes a little incentive is just what a kid needs to believe in him/her*self*.

On with the season!

Uniforms

The uniforms came in, so picture day was ON! Big thanks to our sponsors for helping us fund our uniforms and other needs this season: Dashboard Gear, Comfort Matters Heating & Cooling, Inc., Accorde Orthodontists, Kottemann Orthodontics, Orluck Organic-All Natural Housecleaning, Cornerstone Custom Concrete, River Inn Bar & Grill, Miller Trucking & Landscape Supply Inc, Four Hills Advisors, Cedar Creek Golf Course, and All Jack's Trades. And of course all the family and friends who donated personally to help make this happen. We appreciate every single one of you!

Candyland

New and improved Cross Country Candyland this year, after putting our daughter in charge of the redesign. Of course that meant running for *real* candy...but only in certain buckets, and they had to *work* for it. ;)

Geezer Chase!

This is a 2-mile fun-run/fundraiser for another CC team, and it's a great way to get parents and younger siblings involved. Geezers (advertised as 18+ but there were a *lot* of young kids out there) get a 2-minute head start, and then the CC runners take off and chase the Geezers. Total chaos. Totally awesome. And a few real showdowns out there! Next week the official racing season begins. Stay tuned.

Mega Fun Day II

Cross country, Nighthawk style! Practice at 8:00 A.M. followed by breakfast, trail/farm work crews (cleared & hauled brush, pulled posts, planted trees, and built a bridge!), lunch, and a movie in the barn. Done by 2:30 P.M. Impressed?

This is what we call "empowerment." :)

Spirit Wear - Taking Clothing Orders Through Wed., Sept. 2

We're all set!
<https://jjathletics.tuosystems.com/stores/nighthawkcrosscountry2015>

A few important points:

1. The store will close Wednesday night, September 2, at 11:59 P.M.
2. The "package deal" includes names printed/embroidered on all three (3) items. (T-shirt in the package is short sleeved.) I was told that most kids just use their last name for this kind of thing, but obviously you can do whatever you want. 
3. There are sizing charts in green clickable text under each item.
4. If you are concerned about sizing, you're welcome to visit the shop in Buffalo and try things on! <http://jjathletics.com/>

For reference: Erika tried on the Adult XS sweatshirt, and it looked plenty big for her, but she chose the Adult S because it was easier to get on and off (starting line on the brain). She chose the Adult XS for sweatpants. These are roomy (long rise/crotch), so the inseams are a little shorter than a pair of jeans. These are not "fitted performance pants" so much as warm-ups to pull on/off your other clothes. The sweatpants do have drawstrings, and you can fold the waistband down if you really want to.

Luke tried the Adult XXS sweatshirt and had plenty of room. :) His best bet for pants was the Youth L and had plenty of length.

The sweatshirt is a 60/40 blend so might shrink a little; the pants are all cotton and as such will have some shrinkage but again, they're big to start.

Ladies' sizing is going to be a smaller cut/fit. We ordered some of these last year for the red t-shirts. The long-sleeved style is new for us this year.

All is optional as a service to the team and fans.

Hope that helps!

THANK YOU

We (you) did it--reached our fundraising goal in just two weeks! Anything more that comes in at this point will allow us to add a few needed items back into the budget and help us prepare to move forward into next year. What a relief that will be. The process of collecting support has been humbling to say the least: friends coming out of nowhere, team-kids chipping in their own money, team parents and grandparents, local businesses, people I've never met...

It's been months of intense planning for this team and season, all the while wondering how we'd manage to pay for it. But the answer kept coming back: If God helps you navigate all these other obstacles and the last one is money? Seriously, that is *not* too big for Him. Thanks to all for believing in us. Keep in touch, give our sponsors a high-five when you see them, and 'Like' and 'Follow' us on our team Facebook page for updates!

Photo: missing a few kids as summer winds down, but a great bunch!

Rain

What cross country practice looks like when it's pouring rain and your team is based at a farm... And of course you go out and run anyway! I was pretty impressed by the enthusiastic attitudes out there, I must say.

First Day

Of course "running photos" would have been ideal, but since I was running...all I have are pics of the start and end. Yes, you can still register! Our team includes grades 7-12, and we could really use a couple more junior highers to complete a scoring team.

Such a great practice. We couldn't have asked for better weather--or a better group of kids. Great attitudes and hard workers. Thanks for getting us off to a strong start!

Approved

Big news! We finally received the call we've been waiting for: "We've received your paperwork, and everything appears to be in order..." It has been a year-long journey toward team membership in the Minnesota State High School League, and thanks to your patience and support, we've made it! This means our season is "on," and we're able to compete with area school teams as well at the Section and (someday) State meets. The news is particularly exciting because we're joining in the year the League is celebrating its 100th anniversary, and we're the first all-homeschool team to do so. So thank you.

This also means it’s time for our fundraising push. We need your help to raise the remaining $2500 needed to support the team this season. If each athlete can find $100 worth of sponsors (grandparents/relatives, employers, local businesses, doctor/dentist, etc.), we’ll be set in no time. Plus the sooner we get this done, the sooner I can get back to coaching, making up new CC games, and mowing the course. :) In the future, we hope to find additional ways to offset our costs; but this is our reality for this year, so here goes.

This is a great opportunity to bring others in--it's not every day you get to be part of something that's never been done in your state. See the Sponsorship Page for details and benefits.

Looking forward to a great season and all the opportunities and connections we'll make out there,

Coach Jennifer

Blazin'

I've been thinking of writing and posting here once in a while to make the site a little more dynamic, so here goes: First post.

It's finally dry enough to cross the marsh with the "tractor" (riding lawn mower), so the course is complete and fully operational for the season! This is yet another object lesson for me this year as we make a new path towards membership in the state high school league. It's been a long wait, but the timing is right. Any earlier and we could have found ourselves spinning our wheels, stuck in the mud, waiting for the pickup truck and/or winch to pull us out. Not that that's ever happened...

When I arrived back at the house, this crew showed up, highly interested in whatever might have been stuck to the mower. Yum.

Happy trails. :)
Coach Jennifer