Wow, I've been postponing this post trying to figure out where to start and what to say. I find myself thinking to last year's State Meet, this summer, and this season. Let's Begin:
2004 State Meet: The seen ended with disappointment. Young men huddled closely, upset over a dismal performance. Between the tears and hardships we made a pact. After six consectutive years we were done coming to State to run. It would no longer be acceptable to just make State, but rather to race and make a statement!
Our summer training started with a lot of different views. Base was our main need coming in to the 2005 season and we made sure to get it. We started the Milage Club,a tradition I hope will surely last. Even at the start there were questions. Beliefs spread from anywhere from Sectional Champions to worse than the previous year. Yes, we had questions, but those began to change as I was sent milage logs and saw people at some of the off-season training sessions.
Our first true glimpse of what was to come occurred at Mudmountain; what performances. We knew we were on the right track. It was at this time I got the itch for the season to begin. The question was no longer would we be good, but just how good could we be. This is where we set our goals: Madison County Champs, Southwestern Conference Champs, Regional Champs, Sectional Champs and top ten at State. Remember, this is coming from a team that finished fourth at Sectionals the year before and lost three runners!
Granite City, the sight of our first invitational! I was so pleased to see our team run well at a meet that usually includes a sluggish Edwardsville team. I tried to down play the meet, but I really knew on that day that our goals could definitely be realities!
The season put a lot of barriers in front of us. First it was Bryan Ryan being sidelined. A senior leader expected to not only be the best number 2 runner on any team in our area, but to also be one of the best runners, Period!!! Well, Bryan showed a lot of guts and struggled to get back. All I can say is Bryan proved his character to us! Bryan worked his tale off and had an outstanding season, especially considering how much he missed! Bryan, your talents, dedication, and hard work to help your team is greatly appreciated!
Bryan's injuries were quickly followed by the loss of Willie Sweat! Willie is a hardworker and great teammate! I wish I could have found a way to keep Willie healthy! The team appreciates all of your support Willie, and we could not have been the team we were without you!
Unfortunately, the injury bug did not end there. Freshman Phenom Devon Dudding wound up with a hip pointer and will be resting and healing when we start the next round of conditioning, but there is no doubt this young man will be better than ever! Here is a freshman who ran with more pain than most young men could imagine competing with. By the way, second fastest freshman in the State Meet on a bum hip should definitely show the State things to come!
Andrew found himself with a shin injury that sidelined him for a week and a half and missing two meets. Andrew battled through the demons of another injury and was finally able to conquer Detweilier!
Charlie Vance has not had a full season during his three years at EHS without some kind of injury. Charlie battled through the last month to month and half with soreness in his hips. Charlie's dedication to the team is obvious. We are proud of his hard work and fighting through the pain. Just think Charlie, look what some tall, skinny, unshaven guy was able to do with one healthy season.
On that note, Dustin Davis should be a role model and inspiration to all cross-country athletes. I have seen Dustin run for five years (sorry Dustin, I don't consider 7th grade as your running)! Okay, so six years. We all knew what Dustin was capable of, but injuries in his first three high school seasons did not allow Dustin to show the State what he could do! You can not say enough of the way Dustin has battled injuries and kept coming back! Congratulations Dustin! All-State with an incredible 14:40 and a 16th place finish!
Since I mentioned everyone else who ran....Way to go Eric and Gil. Eric is probably the only one on the team who wishes that Detweiler was our home coure. You always kick butt there Jo-Jo! Not to mention that Eric went from way back on the list of sophmores, to earning a Mileage Club shirt (see, base does work), to being the number 2 finisher on the 13th place team in the state! What a great year! Gil, I'm proud to say that I will be able to keep my free great kick coupon until your senior season. I will save it for the right time. With your performance this year, I almost forgive you for not running as a seventh grader! Great job G-flo!
To Continue.....even after all of these injuries and hardships, we continued to put things together. Every meet this season we were missing one or two pieces of our puzzle. Yet we were able to win Granite City, Tiger Fall Classic, Edwardsville Invite, Centralia Invite, County, Conference, Regionals, and Sectionals. In fact, the boys were at full strength only twices this year, Sectionals and State.
Our team accomplished almost every goal we set. Sorry guys, but I think 13th place at State is something to be very proud of. Very few people gave us any credit this entire season. I know that your personalities resemble me closely, in that I never am completely satisfied, but I promise you I am a very proud coach! Our crappy, Southern Illinois team who should not be ranked in the top 25, yet alone deserve an appearance at State finished in 13th place. Last year I had to fight back tears from watching you upset and seeing us come up short, this year I had to fight back tears of pride! I am proud of you guys! Great job this season, I'm glad to have been a part of it and get to experience it!
Sidenotes:
1) Coach C, thank you for being such a great supporter to myself and the boys. I am very impressed with the girls season and I want to congratulate you and the ladies for an impressive 12th place finish! Ladies, next year is definitely a goal to finish in the top 5! Way to go!
2) Two things make a coach look good! The first is quality athletes. Thank you to all members of the cross-country team making me look good......I know it is hard work. The second is a supporting cast. Besides the obvious with Coach C., I could not have gotten through the season without all of the members of the Booster Club and the support of EHS Administration and the parents. Thank you for all of your help, support, dedication, and love for the great sport of Cross-Country. The atmosphere and support structure you have created is the envy of all other teams and programs. Thank you!
Thank you again for an incredible season. I appreciate all of the sacrifices made by athletes, parents, administration, etc. that made this season the success it was. Thank you all! I am very proud of the 2005 Edwardsville Tigers Cross-Country Sesaon!
Coach P.
