Banquet

Celebrating another CC season! We value each runner who participates, so we strive to recognize each one with words of affirmation and appreciation for their unique part of the team. It may take a while to acknowledge them all, but it brings near-perfect attendance at banquets. :) Thanks to everyone who helped make this a great night--we have the best banquet team, and we appreciate all of your work and creativity. Thanks to our captains for serving the team and to the coaches for investing so much in these student-athletes. Congratulations to those who earned volunteer service awards, varsity letters, athlete of the meet, and other fun awards. And we sure will miss you, seniors! Thanks also to all who supported us this season in various ways.

Litchfield

Because of the heavy rains earlier in the week, the course was creatively rerouted to run partly on the golf course but mostly on the roads. It was a new situation for most of our runners as few had road-racing experience; but the flat, mostly-paved course provided the opportunity to run especially fast. Fast running times aside, what was most exciting to see was the teamwork on the varsity boys' team, where our 2nd through 6th runners held a 16-second spread at the finish. Their JV comrades are closing in, and it's fun to watch. On the girls' side, there were a few major time drops, and we're hoping that boosts their confidence. We've emphasized strength more this year, which is important for these young women in many ways. Nighthawk strong!

Mega Fun Day

What began in our very first season as a way to clear the original cross country trail, has now become a great team builder with different work projects each year (although brush clearing is standard). Morning practice, breakfast, a couple hours of work, lunch, and movie in the barn. Mega 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...)

Bagging for Tips

Grocery bagging fundraiser at Cub Foods in Rogers. Two shifts of three hours each, and a great success. Thanks to all student-athletes and parents for serving, and thanks to the shoppers who were so generous with us!

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.

Burn

This has become a bit of a tradition (because we've done it two years in a row ;) )--recognizing, praying over, and burning our fears and lies. We're into the last days of the season now. Finish well, Nighthawks!

Jacob

With the events in St. Joseph this week, the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center asked that individuals display the number 11 to honor Jacob’s spirit and his sense of fairness. 11 traits were emphasized and shared with each team at the meet this week:
1. Be fair
2. Be kind
3. Be understanding
4. Be honest
5. Be thankful
6. Be a good sport
7. Be a good friend
8. Be joyful
9. Be generous
10. Be gentle with others
11. Be positive
Jacob wore the #11 jersey and was 11 when he was kidnapped from near his home in St. Joseph on Oct. 22, 1989. None of our runners had yet been born, but we parents remember. Every day is a gift.

MFD III

Mega Fun Day: The early-season tradition of running, food, work, more food, and a movie (keep eating). This year's installment was postponed a week due to the weather, but even so we ended up plenty wet. Still, the crew kept smiling and we made good progress on brush clearing and tree planting. Each year the "home course" looks a little better, and these young men and women have much to be proud of.

Celebration

Each individual involved in this team was exactly who our inaugural track & field season needed, and each athlete was invited to the front to be recognized at our end-of-season banquet. The goal is not only to reward performance character strengths but also to highlight moral character strengths—the actions and instances of growth that lead to better relationships with others. Lots of food, fun, and hugs; memories shared, awards given, and senior batons signed. Thanks again to all the families who committed their time to each other this season!

Sportsmanship

Maple Lake Invite: So many things to love about this meet. (Well, except the weather. Always the weather!) Smaller teams meant being "in the mix" in more events than previous competitions and an exciting envelope of medals and ribbons. We continue to develop relationships with other coaches; their support has been remarkable and encouraging. And most significantly, sportsmanship is becoming a natural part of the routine, through volunteering where needed and congratulating competitors at the finish line. Your efforts are being noticed, Nighthawks, and it makes time at the track that much more fun and rewarding for everyone. Keep up the good work!

Brave

Each of these photos has a backstory of a challenge accepted--from the coaches or from within themselves. All kinds of surprise performances out there! We now have starting points of reference and a new perspective for our training. Congratulations to each one (pictured or not) who proved to themselves that they can do hard things and are capable of more than they know. Thanks again to Rockford for your hospitality and for giving us the opportunity to compete close to home.

Service Project

Our first service project of the year: selling concessions at the City of Hanover, Minnesota's winter movie in the park. Such a fun night. The kids learned about planning, budgeting, sales, inventory, and more. We were a few dollars above break-even and brought in some tips as well. Now what to do with the remaining 48 pounds of popcorn...!

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!

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!

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." :)