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Monday, November 30, 2015

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



Wednesday, November 18, 2015

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.

Saturday, November 14, 2015

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!

Thursday, November 12, 2015

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:

http://pressnews.com/2015/11/12/cross-country-runner-from-greenfield-makes-history-at-state-meet/

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.

Saturday, November 7, 2015

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.

Friday, November 6, 2015

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!