Team Community Service Week

This week, we had a couple of opportunities to give back to the community that has been so supportive of us. The Corcoran Night to Unite brought hundreds of neighbors together to celebrate community, crime prevention, and strong police/community partnerships. We helped with food and games there. The Hanover Harvest Festival is a big, one-day event that begins with a 5K run and continues with a parade, games, vendors, bands, and lots of other activities. We set up several large tents, tables, etc. in preparation for the action. Everyone were all super appreciative of our help as we had solid crews working at different times over the course of the week. Great work, everyone!

Catching Up

Catching up on some recently published articles--just had to share. :)

http://pressnews.com/2017/06/08/nighthawk-runner-gains-ground-at-sections/

http://pressnews.com/2017/06/05/nighthawk-runners-place-at-sub-section-track-meet/

http://pressnews.com/2017/05/06/nighthawk-runners-place-at-maple-lake-track-meet/

Season Finale

Congratulations to Erika Swanson for a great Section meet, and thanks to the team for coming to cheer her on! Erika represented the Nighthawks well as she improved her standings over last year's event, taking 7th in the 1600m (5:30.71) and 4th in the 3200m (12:05.41).

Being the only competitor from your team at a big meet like this is tough. But you couldn't ask for a better support crew--several carpools made the trek out to St. John's--which says a lot about the team. We're hoping to develop more Section qualifiers by next year, which will make the experience that much better for everyone. (The enthusiasm for summer running and cross country will certainly help!) We've had a great season of improvement in many ways and are pleased with all that these student-athletes have accomplished on both personal and performance levels.

One of the best things about this sport is how generous the other teams' coaches and athletes have been in helping us in these program-building seasons. Rockford has been especially supportive of our bringing more participants to the sport, and our athletes have made new friends through regular competition. It's been a lot of fun.

Early-season Meets

Just a few of the favorite pics from last week's meets. Team records and PR's continue to fall! So proud of our Nighthawks for all the new events they're trying this season. Love this crew and the great people we get to work with. (BTW holding a competitor's blocks is high-class sportsmanship...)

Box Buddies

A favorite moment at the State meet: the Section 5A representatives in a "team huddle"--all worthy competitors and a beautiful demonstration of the sport of cross country.

Found This

Sometimes a simple google search can bring a surprise...I'm writing this in November 2016 but backdating this to February so it falls into our blog/story chronologically. Here you go:

"Just as Heisman Trophy Winner and NFL quarterback Tim Tebow made headlines as a homeschooled student playing public high school football more than a decade ago, Erika Swanson recently made history for homeschoolers at the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) State Championship..." 
http://www.onenewsnow.com/education/2016/02/06/homeschool-athletes-on-the-rise

Um...I have to chuckle--yes, this year was a big journey, but it's not exactly the NFL. :D So thanks, Tim Tebow; congratulations, Erika; and much appreciation to so many supporters involved in the journey!