Mid-January Update

I drove over to N-City School today in my never ending effort to get paid for the Cross Country duties performed last fall. This would hopefully be the final step before receiving the money. I had to supply them with SSN and Birth Certificate proof. All went well and I should be receiving my stipend soon.

As I cut thru the gym to get to the front entrance of the school I recognized one of last year's runners and she recognized me. I couldn't remember her name so I just said hi and she said "hi coach" back to me. I couldn't remember her name because she only came to about two or three practices at the beginning of the season. Then she had to drop out because there seemed to be a problem with her lung or heart, I can't remember which. And she wasn't one of the top runners on the squad either. But she always seemed to be positive, always smiling, and always giving her best at the few practices she attended. During the season if I ever ran into her before the start of practice, she would say that she was hoping to be healthy and back running next season.

Well, today she said that her "ailment" turned out to be absolutely nothing. She then said that she was ready for next year and would be training during the summer. If I had 10 runners with her positive attitude never mind the lack of speed, the decision of whether or not to go back to N-City would be even tougher than it is now. So I then said good-bye to her, told her to have a good winter, and then went home to find out her name. Of all the runners from last year's team to run into today, it had to be the one who probably cared the most about the team.

As for the E-City team, my plan is still to put the recruitment flyer up, but a week earlier than last mentioned. I hope to put it up on Monday February 23rd, after the girls basketball season ends. I've been attending the girls' games, both home and away, to show them that I'm a big supporter and hopefully to convert that into some interested runners. Not that I normally don't go and support the team, I do. But I am making more road games this year.

I've finally got an accurate count on the girls basketball team. They number 15, 10 of whom are freshman. As for my softball team, 12 freshman girls have expressed interest in trying out for the team. Of those, there are 3 who are in both groups.

This is exam week which means proctoring exams. And as I scan the room for cheaters, I am also getting to know who the freshman girls are and gauging as to whether they look like running material. There are about four more girls who aren't in either of the above two sports groups who may make decent runners. So all told there are about 23 female freshman candidates who could be X-C runners. Again, I try to contain my excitement and will only hope that a handful come forward in late February and early March to sign up.

And maybe I can also hope that the N-City girl will transfer to E-City!!