XC Season

I have definitely been a slacker posting about XC season this year so I'll just give you the highlights since it has now ended for the year!!!

The season was definitely different than others and both the guys and girls teams were FULL of injuries this year.  It was a great time of testing and rejoicing and lots of teachable moments throughout the season when things do not go as planned (because I'm not sure anything went as planned!).

The season also looked very different for Rance as the head coach since he was injured in September and was unable to run at every practice with his team.  I am thankful for times of trials and the way the teams prevailed!

Just a few random pictures from the season:

Coaching moments!

Lil Frank's discipline this season was incredible!

Ava continued to be my running partner this year during the week races!



We LOVED having the cutest little fan ever this year at all of our races!




There was lots of weekend travel but a fun group to travel with!  The next few pictures below are at the Invitational race in Kernersville, NC which is basically a pre-state race!

squinty eyes!

Love supporting him!

racing shoes at the starting line (LOVE bright XC shoes)

Team talks...

Devin running his FIRST invitational race and FIRST time running on the state course!

This gal is one dedicated runner and to
watch her grow spiritually this past year
has been the most fun!

love watching him race!

The top 3 teams in the conference this year were literally separated by a point or two at the CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP race in October.  We were estatic that our Robbinsville high school boys team pulled off the Conference Championship!

FINALLY a healthy team at the end of the season!

 

Of course a jumping pic would have to take place!

Jess & Wyatt were HUGE XC fans this year!  Not to mention - Lil Frank loves him some Wyatt!

LOVE these two!

Shawnda won #1 in the conference for the girls!

The Cline Family!

Coach Latter & Coach Shuler walking away with a conference championship title (Latter's girls team won conference while Shuler's boys team won!).



It's hard to get a picture with Coach!



Shawnda & Frank were both #1 in the conference with Ashlyn & Irvin both placing in top 10!

At the end of October the regionals race took place in Cherokee, North Carolina!

Lil Frank warming up!

Daddy/Daughter talks!

I can't resist this cute face!!!

PRECIOUS boy & mommy!

Love that previous XC runners come out to SUPPORT Rance & the team at regionals!

Lil Frank got 2nd at regionals and Irvin got 8th (qualifying them for the state race)!

Shawnda also got 2nd at regionals, qualifying for the state race!



Regional medal winners & coaches!

2 buddies bonding! 
Wyatt is very proud of Lil Frank!

A week later (first week of November), we headed to the State race in Kernersville, North Carolina.  This year, we left on a Thursday so that we could go watch the ACC Cross Country teams race on the same course that Friday! 

It was VERY cool to watch the #1 runner for the
guys be a Wolfpacker (since I am a former alumni). 
He is even holding up the wolfpack sign as he gets
ready to cross the finish line!



Lil Frank even got a chance to talk to Mr. #1 Wolfpacker!

 
We then headed to the mall and then to dinner at Olive Garden (runners got to get those carbs in the night before a BIG race!)

LOVE that Hamilton & Creighton joined us for the weekend to support these guys/gals!

Saturday, November 2nd was the State Championship race which officially marks the end of XC season! 

Shawnda focusing on STATE RACE DAY!

Lil Frank & Irvin relaxing!

These two ALWAYS keep things entertaining!  The state race would not be the same without them!

I feel like a proud parent in this picture!

And let's give a SHOUT OUT to my family (cousin Brooke/brother Travis) in Nahunta that came out to SUPPORT where a huge part of our time in the fall is spent!

AND my bff Mandy who is FAMILY too came!!!



Serious talks



Shawnda warming up!

Shawnda's dad praying before her race!

Brother moments!

family portrait!

Lil Frank placed 3rd in the state!

Shawnda also placed 3rd in the state!

And I had to get a picture of these crazies!  3 of these guys were on the 2010 State Championship XC team!

And that's the end of the 2013 XC season!!!

We love the journey of walking with these runners through life and spiritually encouraging them along the way.  This season was even more special as a group of the XC runners started going through the book of Ephesians on Sunday mornings with Rance and that study is currently still meeting!

 

Until next season folks...