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