10/21 update

Braves,

We are so proud of this team. Not because the girls team is the greatest in BHS history or because the boys finished 2 places higher than last year, and ran the second fastest cumulative team time in the past 20 years at BHS, but because of the effort given each day, the support for each other, the determination to be your best every single day, your willingness to work hard and give your all no matter the workout, etc. I’ve said this many times but it can’t be overstated: it isn’t about what place you or the team finish, but it is about the journey and what you do to make those things happen. Accomplishments are made rewarding by what you do to get there. Finishing in 3^rd place was an exciting and historical thing for the team, and it is made better because of the work that it took to get there.

Our girls finished just 1 point ahead of Skyline, who was ranked ahead of us going in. The amazing thing is that several of our girls finished just ahead of one person which would have made us 4^th place. If just one of the scoring 5 had finished one place back we would have been fourth, as Skyline had the tie-breaker. In other words, it was a total team effort to lift us into 3^rd. During the race it was clear that every single one of them was giving their all. Laurie, Trish, and Anna Sophia all ran times faster than the previous school record, formerly held by, who else, Nan Evans Kennard. Going through the all time list, if you take the five girls from this year’s team and faced them off against any five girls from any year in BHS history, these five would win. That isn’t only because of these five of course, but the entire team and what you ALL contributed in practice and in meets to help everyone be successful, not just individuals. Team culture leads to team accomplishments, not individuals.

Our boys gave a similar effort, exhausting themselves every step of the way. They battled with all they had, just missing a top ten team finish. 10^th or 11^th doesn’t ultimately matter, what matters is the way these guys approached the season, which was with a dedication that surely propel them to new heights in the months and years to come. Dalton came away with a 10^th place finish, which was pretty awesome considering he spent most of the race in about 15^th, but really found another level over the final mile. Evidence of course that an individual contributes more to a team than their place in the race is Justin Wood. Justin has been an extension of our coaching staff and has made every single person around him better through his leadership and commitment to the team. He was constantly seen encouraging his teammates and working to make the team better. Regardless of where he finished his contribution to the team was cemented by his actions on a daily basis, which were consistently aimed and helping the team.

We were extremely pleased with all those who came to support even though they weren’t racing, understanding that this is just as much their team as it is of those were raced. You got out all over the course and made yourselves known and really pushed our team. Your support on race day made a difference, but what you gave in practice each day was even more important. It’s easier to work hard when those around you are working hard, and that is something you brought each day.

Two years ago we had 5 runners at state, Anna Sophia and Belle were the only girls and the only 2 of those 5 who also raced this year. The girls were 6^th at region (ahead of East who didn’t field a team) 2 years later and the girls have two region championships and finished 3^rd at state. Our boys returned 2 of the 7 runners from last year’s state team and finished higher than last year. The remarkable thing about that is the amount of determination shown from our ENTIRE team to make that possible.

Thank you to our seniors for your examples, leadership, and all you have given the program. Our team is better thanks to each of you. Moving forward we are hopeful that our teams will accomplish more great things and compete at the highest levels. As that happens, a great deal of credit will go to those who helped create a culture of hard work and determination. Any future accomplishments this team has will be owed in part to you, just like what we do now is in part thanks to those who have done it here before.

We thank all of you for your dedication this season during the past season. This has been our most enjoyable season yet because of each of you. Our job has become easier each year because more and more are giving their best each day, increasing their dedication, and working to help the team succeed. Thank you!

Moving forward, we feel extremely optimistic about the direction of our team. Our boys are returning all 5 scoring runners from state, with more right behind them eager to compete. Our girls, coming off their best season ever, return 5 of the seven from state, also with more right behind them ready to fight for positions, and if we take out the scores of our two amazing seniors, Laurie and Anna Sophia, and score the other 2 who raced at state, our team would have finished 9^th, with just ten more points than last year, one place behind last year, but that is with the addition of Farmington who wasn’t there last year and will most likely be 6A next year, so it is essentially the same spot. Which means they could be in for another great year next year if they put in the same work that got the team to this point this year. Just because we talk about it obviously doesn’t mean it will happen. A lot of work is going to have to be done.

We are going to continue training in preparation for Footlocker. Footlocker is a regional race in California, not far from Anaheim. The dates would be 11/29-12/2. We will spend some time at the beach Friday, and then after the race on Saturday go to Disneyland, returning home on Sunday. Parents will be driving kids down, chaperoning, and leading the trip. More info on that below.

Even if you aren’t planning on going to footlocker we encourage you to continue to come out so you can continue to improve. If you read up on the state championship girls team, Springville, and perennial national powerhouse American Fork, both mention the fact that they worked for those things since they were freshman/sophomores. Becoming a great team doesn’t happen overnight, it takes years of preparation (which is also evident by our results two years ago, missing out on state qualifying). If we want to continue to compete at the highest level we need to take that same approach, and understand that we have to improve as individuals and a team each year and each season. The next two months are a big chance to put that into practice by getting better before indoor track, and then of course through indoor and outdoor track.

Training until Indoor track will be Monday/Wednesday/Friday at the track like usual. The other days will be for you to go on long runs with your teammates or on your own. Again, this is for all who are interested, not just those going to footlocker.

Those interested in going to footlocker, Jeremy Adamson is going to lead the trip. We are hoping to have the price at $500 or below. We hope to have those prices finalized within the next week or so. The decision on if you are going or not will need to be made shortly after the prices are finalized. Jeremy is arranging hotels and Disneyland tickets and will make this a great trip for you. If you have any questions about Footlocker please let me know.

Indoor track will begin the week after footlocker. Indoor track goes from December until February, with meets on Saturdays, and some Friday’s in January and February. We compete at Weber, BYU, the Olympic Oval twice, and Idaho State. There are only about 5 meets in those two months. Training is M-F and is a huge part of why our track teams have had so much success the past few years (4 straight region wins for the boys with a 3^rd and 4^th place finish at state in those years), and I think our girls team this year could be the strongest that I have had in my years at BHS, due to our strong distance team in addition to our returning sprinters/hurdlers, and field eventers. Indoor is one of my favorite seasons because of the unique training opportunities and the dedication of those who participate.

Indoor is open to students in grades 7-12, and we love to have the younger kids join us. We train inside when the weather won’t allow us to go outside. The term indoor track really just means the races are indoors. When weather permits we will go outside as often as possible. If you have any questions about indoor track, please let me know.

Lastly, we will have a team dinner in the next couple of weeks, with details to be determined. We will send out some info regarding that as soon as it is available. I will be sending information along about footlocker in the next week or so and then this email list will be discontinued.

Thank you for all you do and have done. I hope to see all who can tomorrow at the usual time and place.

Coach Jacobson

10/14 update

Braves,

State Week. After months of hard work  we are ready to take the course at Sugarhouse Park and see what this team can do. In all my years of coaching I have never looked forward to a state meet as much as this one. This team, boys and girls, has put in more work than any other xc team we’ve had, and this week is the time to enjoy it, run together as a team, and simply leave it out there on the course. For our 3 seniors racing, Anna Sophia, Laurie, and Justin this is their final state meet. For them, and the entire team, let’s enjoy this week and race by competing the best we can and leaving with no regrets.

Nan Kennard left our team with some excellent advice. One that stood out to me most was the power of visualization. I encourage each of you to visualize your race, in particular, visualize how you want to feel at different parts of the race – like on the hills, up and down – or as you approach the finish. She shared how visualization trains the mind to behave a certain way and is a powerful tool. Take the next few days to visualize, as often as possible, the state race.

The girls race at 1:30, the boys at 3:00. Due to the early race times, the bus will leave at 11:00 AM. Talk to your 3^rd and 4^th period teachers Monday so you can get the work you will miss in advance.

Everyone is excused to get on the bus on Wednesday, and we want you all there. If you don’t ride the bus I cannot excuse you. For those not racing, we want you there to support the team as they race; this is just as much your team as it is theirs. I said this at practice to, but come ready to run because I have designated places all over the course that we want you to be at so our runners have support have key portions of the race. We’ve been supporting and encouraging each other all season long, and that doesn’t change on Wednesday. (Call it extreme, but I’ve made several maps for groups to follow so they can be at those points on the course for support – we need all of you there on Wednesday to help our team be the best we can be.)

Looking forward to getting back to work on Monday. Let me know if you have any questions.

Coach Jacobson

10/7 update

Braves,

Friday was a great day for the team. One of the great things about region and pre region is the chance to compare your times from the beginning of the year to this course. Looking at the times from those two points in the season shows the improvement that each of you have made through your hard work. One goal for the team is to always be getting better. While that isn’t realistic for every single race, over the course of the year the trend has been faster and faster.

Ultimately our success is not defined by achievements, places, or times. The question is, have you become improved your work ethic, as a teammate, and as a person over the course of the season? Do you give more at practices now than you did when you began? Do you root for the team and your teammates to be successful no matter the circumstances? Did you contribute positively to the environment, and attitude of your teammates at and away from practice? If you can answer yes to those questions then the season has been successful no matter the times you ran or the place you finished. While none of us is perfect in any of these areas, this team has done a better job at this than any other than I have been around. Credit to each of you for that.

The JV girls started off the meet for us on a high note. We had talked going into the meet about how they had a chance to set the tone for the meet. They did just that by getting 4 girls into the top ten and winning the JV race as a team. I was really impressed with how strong they finished and ran as a team. The JV boys followed that up with a strong race, and also ran very well as a team. Our first 5 runners finished right in a row, which is pretty amazing.

For the second year in a row, and for the second time in school history, the girls won the region championship. While we were the clear favorites going in, it was by no means going to be a walk in the park. Farmington had been running well of late and competed hard to try and flip the script. We knew that if we had a poor day and they had a great day they could possibly beat us. Knowing our team and what we are capable of, once the race began I had a sense of calm, knowing they would give their best and compete as a team. The race was very close through the first mile, and at one point I think Farmington was in front. As the race developed we started to improve our position. After each team’s 4^th runner finished we were tied for first. That is where we took control. Sammi came through some ten places ahead of their fifth runner, with Maddy and Sami also being in front of their 5^th. The girls ended up winning by 10 points. No individual can win or lose a race for a TEAM. It takes a total team effort, and these girls ran a great team race to come away with the win. They have now won the last two meets that they have participated in, showing that they are one of the best teams in the state, with one race to go. As I said on Friday, the best is yet to come for this team.

They boys varsity race was tightly contested between the 2^nd and 3^rd place teams, us and WX. Ultimately WX edged us out by 6 points, giving the boys a second straight 3^rd place finish. Considering a new team joined the region, it is still an improvement from a year ago. They battled and competed every step of the way. Over the course of the past 4 months we learn to recognize your running styles and their cues, and facial expressions and what they mean in terms of your effort and how you are feeling. Without exception it was clear each of you was giving all you could, and wanted to give more. While the boys were 3^rd on the day, there is no reason to be disappointed in yourselves, because you controlled what you could, which was your effort.

The fact that we can only take 7 runners from region to state is a difficult thing for us, because so many deserving runners don’t get the opportunity. While that is personally very challenging for those who just miss out, I cannot overstate how admirably those who have just missed the cut have handled their disappointment. Each of them has put the team ahead of themselves and rejoiced in team successes rather than dwelling on their own challenges. I know firsthand how difficult it can be to come up just short after giving so much for so long; it is brutal, and the way they have responded transcends the sport and shows true character. Sami, Naomi, Abby, Isabella, Scott, and Jake were all on the bubble of going or not and just missed the cut for state. That is an amazing group of kids, and a group we are enormously proud of. Your contribution to this team is greater than your place. Without each of you (those 6, and all on the team), our team and experience would not be nearly as great. Because of you are team is better and the experience more enjoyable.

For most of the team, region was the final race. However, we want all of you at practices, for the same reasons just stated above. You may not be racing at state, but we want you on that bus to sugar house and all over the course supporting those who are running. In fact, we are going to strategically place you around the course, moving from point to point, so we can optimize your support to help the team. Our girls have a chance to place really well – throughout the entire year they have only lost once to a 5A school, and our boys have a chance to burst onto the scene, similar to our girls last year, and show that we are for real heading into next season. This state meet could be the best combined effort (boys and girls) that Bountiful High has ever had. Let’s make some great things happen.

We will have a team dinner at the Steenblik’s home on Thursday at 6. Nan Evans Kennard will be coming to speak to the team that evening as well. She is a former Bountiful runner and state record holder, BYU national team champion in Cross Country (twice I believe), and professional runner. She is taking time from her family and incredibly busy schedule to talk to us, because it is something that she thinks is important. I hope you all will make arrangements to be there. It is going to be awesome.

I look forward to getting back to work on Monday.

Coach Jacobson

9/30 update

Braves,

After four months of practices and hundreds of miles, we are finally at the week of the region championships. We are down to two races left, and we are excited for what is ahead. The team is well prepared and running well, and now we get to go see what we can do and enjoy the process.

We will be racing Friday at the Weber County Fairgrounds, with the race schedule as follows:

JV Girls 3:00 pm

JV Boys 3:40 pm

Varsity Girls 4:20 pm

Varsity Boys 4:50 pm

Awards - ASAP after the conclusion of the last race.

The region meet is always one of the most exciting meets of the year, and this year will be no different. We will have this week for some tuning up, but the vast majority of the work is already done. Let’s make each day count this week, getting better one day at a time, and on Friday go out, run hard, and have fun. If we do that and compete with those around us, then good things will happen.

Looks like rain is in store for us this week, although it doesn’t currently say so on Friday, but come prepared to practice in the rain this week; it will certainly be a refreshing change for us.

Team dinner will be Thursday (time tbd) at Jared Smith’s house 1446 Seville Way Bountiful, UT

I’m eager to get back to practice tomorrow in preparation for region and state. Exciting things to come.

Coach Jacobson

9/23 update

Braves,

What a week. We had a great week of work, mentally and physically, and that was on full display on Friday. Our girls team managed to capture first place, led by Laurie who finished 1^st overall. The beauty of XC is that one runner cannot win the race for the team; it requires the entire team to contribute. Trish and Anna Sophia both finished in the top 15, with Sophia at 24 and Sammi at 41. All 5 had their best race of the year, and nearly all had their fastest paces ever. Sammi battled the last 800m at least with severe breathing difficulties but still managed to power through and have a personal best pace. Her effort was incredible. Although those 5 were the scoring runners, races like that don’t just show up out of nowhere, it requires an immense amount of effort over the long term, and without each member of our team, JV and varsity included, our effort would not have been the same. More important than the results is the way we prepare and approach each day. It is a ton of fun seeing individual and team achievements, and those will come as we compete to be our best each day. That was one win, now let’s go get some more.

There were countless races yesterday that deserve highlighting, including that of Riley who battled harder than we have ever seen to have a 20s per mile improvement. Kohl ran so hard and placed so well in the freshman/sopho race that he made himself sick for the rest of the races. I love watching you all battle every race and leave it all out on the course. It is remarkable how hard you have been working this season, and makes coaching this team a blast. We thank you for your hard work and general desires to do right and get better every day.

There are 3 races left in the season , excluding footlocker for those who want to go, but for most of us there are only 2 races left, as state we are only allowed 7 runners for each team that qualifies. Use every day wisely, enjoy these last few weeks as much as possible, because it will be over before we know it.

This week we race Wednesday at Mills Park (Mosquito park) in Woods Cross. There will not be a bus for this meet, and each of you will need to find a way to get there. The school does not order us a bus for this meet because it is so close to home. This will be the last race to help us determine positions for the region meet.

The team dinner will be at the Tew’s home on Tuesday. Time and location tbd.

Looking forward to getting back to it on Monday as we prepare for region and state.

Coach Jacobson

9/16 update - practice Monday at 2:40

Braves,

State is a month from Monday. Region is 3 weeks from yesterday. The time is winding down and leaving us with no time to waste, and a short time to maximize our potential. We will be practicing on Monday, even though there is no school. We will meet at the normal 2:40 time. Enjoy your day off of school and be ready to get to work.

We raced at the district championships on Wednesday and it was a great day. Because we race there every year it was good to be able to see some of the improvement that we have made as individuals and as a team over the years. It’s crazy to think that a couple of years ago our girls finished second to last, and this year were second, behind an excellent Layton team, who happens to be 6A. Our boys team is so young, but so determined that I won’t be surprised to see a similar jump in the coming years. They were 6^th and second of the 5A schools (who are all in our region) behind Farmington.

Remember that success is not defined by the place you finish. I talk about those results because it is fun to see where we stand relative to the competition and how we hope to have improved over the years, but the true success is determined by what we do every day. Over these last few weeks, let’s ramp up the competition with each other to make us all better in the process to push ourselves to the limits and really reach our full potential, accomplish things that have never been done before, and ultimately enjoy these final weeks of this journey.

We will be racing on Friday at the valley regional park in SLC. This is the final “big” meet before region and state. This course is fast and the competition is solid. We have been looking forward to this one all year.

Our team dinner will be 6 PM Thursday at Erika Barker’s house 1405 Madera Hills Dr. Thank you to all those who have and will host. These events have been a blast, and are something I hope to continue through indoor track, and outdoor where possible.

Here is the link to what race you will be in: https://www.runnercard.com/e/runner.Reports?goto=meetTeam&d=&team=21859&meet=1002043 There is a sophomore/freshman race that our young kids not in varsity will compete in. Juniors and seniors not in varsity will be in the JV race.

Here is a link to the map and other info: http://saltlakexcclassic.weebly.com/event-info.html

Below is the schedule.

2:00 Packet Pickup
3:00 JV Girls
3:30 JV Boys
4:00 Freshman/Sophomore Girls
4:30 Freshman/Sophomore Boys
5:00 Varsity Girls
5:30 Varsity Boys
6:00 Varsity Team Awards

If you have any questions please let me know. Looking forward to a great week.

Coach Jacobson

9/9 update

Braves,

Hard to believe we are about halfway through the fall season, counting our summer program we are ¾ of the way done. We now have less than a month until the region meet and just over a month until state. We have 3 races remaining before region. Which means most of you have 4 races left in the year, while 14 of you will have 5, assuming we qualify for state at the region meet, which looks like will happen so long as we keep doing what we’ve been doing.

Once again the Murray Invitational was a huge success for our team. Our girls, who finished 13^th last year with around 350 points, were 5^th this year with about 150 points. That is a huge accomplishment, and it shows that our girls are one of the best teams in 5A. Being first in 5A last week, and second in 5A this week in a much larger race shows that we can compete with the best of them.

Our boys also had a strong day finishing one place higher than last year, which as a group is a great accomplishment considering 3 of our top 5 weren’t in the top 5 last year. Another coach pointed out how well we ran with a young group. I sort of forgot how young our team is, and how few seniors we have, because we have been racing like an experienced team all year.

Here is the link to the results: http://murrayinvite.com/results/

As human beings we often mentally set limits on ourselves that do not physically need to be there. These can take the form of excuses. Excuses are often made because we don’t want to accept responsibility of a bad workout or bad race in part because we feel that reflects badly on who we are as individuals and athletes. Maybe we are worried that a bad day is indicative of being a bad athlete, so we make excuses to spare ourselves feeling bad. The mistake is thinking that the outcome is the measure of who you are as the athlete or the person. In truth it is your effort that defines you. There is no need to make excuses for a bad day so long as you know you gave your best on the given day, and every day. Bad days, workouts, or races are going to happen, it’s the nature of the sport. Instead of allowing that the worry you or make excuses, let it motivate you to get back to work the next day. Moving forward, try to eliminate excuses by focusing on your effort rather than the outcome. Great effort each day will lead you to the best possible outcome.

Other mental limits are found in “I can’t” or “I don’t think I can” statements, or general self-doubt expressions. One unique challenge we face in XC is battling each day in practice against the same people, and racing familiar faces any given week. Sometimes this leads us to believe that someone who has typically been ahead of us in practice is automatically going to be ahead of us every day in practice, or someone who has beat us in a few races is guaranteed to beat us the next time. (This can work in reverse thinking that being ahead of someone means you will always beat them as well). This week, try to change the status quo in practice by challenging people who have been ahead of you, both in practices and in races.

This week we will be racing at Layton City park in the Davis District Championships. We will be facing off against every school in our school district (Syracuse, Clearfield, Northridge, Layton, Davis, Farmington, Viewmont, WX), the first 5 are 6A schools, and the other 3 are in our region. This is a great opportunity to see some great competition. The course is 2.75 miles, and is one of my favorite races of the year, because of the small size of the race, with quality competition.

3:30 pm - Junior Varsity Girls

  3:55 pm - Junior Varsity Boys

  4:20 pm - Varsity Girls

  4:45 pm - Varsity Boys

  5:10 pm - Alumni/Parent/Sibling/Friends of XC (2 mile)

  5:30 pm - Awards Ceremony at the Finish Line area

This is the only race of the week, and our next race will be the following Friday 9/21 in SLC.

The team dinner is on TUESDAY this week, due to the race on Wednesday, and will be at Anna Sophia’s home, 953 Eaglepointe Drive, North Salt Lake @ 7 PM. Please bring a side to share or $2 to help offset costs. Thanks to all who have hosted and to those who have gone, these have been fun events.

Thanks for all you do, let’s get back to work Monday and keep getting better.

The athletic director asked that I send the following information to our team. It is about an assembly on Monday evening at 7 PM in the auditorium.

"Especially for Athletes (“E4A”) is a movement designed to inspire athletes, and those with whom they associate, to maximize their athletic potential and to use their talents and social influence to assist and lift others. E4A is seeking to build a culture of athletes focused on changing lives through better use of the attention and influence that accompanies their position.

E4A provides education, training and motivational tools to inspire athletes to focus on doing more, and becoming more than just a great athlete. Schools, teams, youth organizations, and individual athletes are encouraged to become E4A certified and join the growing group of athletes of all ages and skill levels including college and professional athletes in committing to the E4A promise and wearing proudly their Eyes Up-Do the Work wrist band."

You can also visit the website - and view some of the videos that E4A has made in conjunction with this special assembly.

9/2 update

Braves,

This past week was one of our better ones. With 10 days between the last two races we were really able to take a big step forward, which showed on the course last night. It was unbelievable how well we did as a group. The course was fast and well set up so naturally everyone was going to be somewhat faster than any other race this year, but on so many accounts there were huge improvements. If you go to the following link you can see your time, place, and average mile pace http://www.runnercard.com/results3/meet?meetId=426719aa-77b2-498c-b5f5-45579c1e23ed

Our girls team ended up 4^th overall, but the first of 7 or 8 5A schools, and around 20 schools overall. We were behind a 4A school and two 6A schools. Our boys finished 12^th overall and had some outstanding races as well. Congratulations to our top 10 finishers: Laurie finished 3^rd overall, Trisha was 10^th with Anna Sophia just a step behind her, and Dalton finished 5^th overall.

I rarely, if ever, see the end of a race. I’m always relying on live updates on my phone or someone to tell me where they finished. Not seeing the finish is the price I pay to be able to be back 400-800m to see each of you come through one last time before the final stretch, and it is completely worth it. It is my favorite place to be, hands down. Yesterday in particular I was amazed at how many of you found another gear and made a move at that stage of the race. A woman I didn’t know, supporting another school, was standing near me when I yelled something like “go around this group” at one of our girls – I don’t even remember who it was – and of course she proceeded to make a move around them. Right then, the woman said to me, almost surprised, “Look at her. Don’t you just love it when they do what you tell them to do?” I was kind of confused by the question, because I guess I have become accustomed to seeing our kids make moves like that. Not because I’m some great motivator but because of the heart of the individuals on this team. I don’t have to wonder if you are going to move, because there is no doubt in my mind that each of you is going to give a full effort, it’s just who you are. I thank you for being willing to give your best effort each day, even when you are having a difficult day, physically or mentally. Being around great kids every day can make me forget how privileged we are to have this group, so I apologize for that. I hope that each of you knows how lucky you are to have the teammates that you do. Enjoy this time together because it is going quickly and will be done all too soon.

For those who are in town, we will be practicing Monday at 7:30 AM, per popular request (I took a poll on the bus home). Fair warning, it will be a tough workout, but one that will be greatly beneficial for us, and we are looking forward to it.

This week we will have a home meet at MPJH on Wednesday. Box Elder, Viewmont, and possibly a team from Idaho will be coming down. We will need the help of all our athletes to run/manage the meet., as soon as school lets out. We could also use all the help we can get from any parents who are available. The meet will officially begin at 3:30 with the girls, and the boys will begin at 4:00. I’d like to be cleaned up and done by 5 PM. Parents, if you are available to help, even if not for the entire time, please let me know.

Team dinner will be Thursday at 6 PM at the Wood’s home 1048 N 640 W West Bountiful. Please bring a side to share or $2 to supplement costs.

We will also be racing Friday at Murray. There is a lot of information for that meet, including parking and schedules. That info can be found at http://murrayinvite.com/

If you have any questions for me please let me know.

Let’s make this another great week and take another step forward.

Coach Jacobson

8/26 update

Braves,

We had a great week this week in terms of the quality of work that we were able to get in and the effort levels that we had each day. That isn’t to say that we were perfect, we have many areas in which we can improve. As individuals and as a team we need to find small ways that we can be a little better than we were before, and help your teammates do the same.

The races at pre-region on Wednesday were awesome. So many good things happened. Performances and races are truly great because of what they mean in the full picture of the season. Ultimately that was one step on the journey of the season, so if we don’t continue to build off of it, it won’t mean much. We have to get back to work and get better every day, and I think we responded pretty well, but we gotta keep it going.

I said this at practice but I’ll say it again here. We are allowed to take 7 runners to state in October, it is the only meet where we aren’t allowed a JV team. We have such depth on our team that we have a lot more than 7 kids competing for those spots. I hope everyone has a goal to be one of those 7 runners. If that is a goal, and you work for it each day then you will make yourself and your teammates better in the process. If ultimately you aren’t one of those 7 runners, that overshadowing any disappointment would be pride in your teammates, who you have challenged to be better due to your efforts, and an understanding that without you, our team would be significantly weaker. Each one of you is a valued member of our team. No matter if you are first or last, your efforts day in and day out make those around you better. The season is young, but we are really pleased with the effort of our team, no matter where you have placed.

We have been allowed to be lenient up to this point on having register my athlete completed. That ends this week, so if you do not have it all completed (registermyathlete.com) then you will not be allowed to race this coming week. Make sure it is done ASAP. If you have questions about it, please let me know and I can help guide you through the process.

This week we race Friday at El Monte Golf Course - 1300 Valley Drive, Ogden, UT.  There is a JV race and Varsity race, as well as a “rookie” race for anyone new to xc, but I just assume enter you in the JV or varsity races even if this is your first year, so that you can run with more teammates. However, if the rookie race sounds like something that you would enjoy, please let me know. It is the same course, it is just so they can spread out the numbers in all the races so they are less crowded. I will send out a schedule and bus departure time later in the week, but I believe the varsity girls race around 5:30, and the boys around 6 PM. We need to be there early still for the coaches meeting and to get set up, so you will miss part of your last period on Friday. We do want you on the bus going up so you can be with the team. You are welcome to go home with a parent after the meet but we encourage you to stay to watch all the other races before leaving, barring extenuating circumstances.

Let’s have a great week leading up to this Weber State meet and take another step forward.

Coach Jacobson

8/19 update

Braves,

I love cross country season. The practices, the races, the traveling, all of it. It is such a unique sport. We are lucky to be a part of it, each one of us, so I hope you enjoy this season. State is 2 months away, making the competition season of xc one of the shortest sports done in schools. Let’s continue to use each day wisely, compete together in practice, and continue to improve as a team.

The results for yesterday’s meet can be found here: http://www.runnercard.com/results3/meet?meetId=f6f32bda-9b22-4f49-9150-6ffb071c0f2f

There were so many amazing performances yesterday. I have spent hours looking over the results and comparing them with past years etc., and what I found was some truly great things from our team. One stat that I found amazing was that nearly everyone one of our runners moved up in the field with each mile, meaning over the final 2 miles we past WAY more people than passed us. This tells me that we have a lot of determination and strength, and while we have a long way to go as a team, we couldn’t be happier with the first step we took. There are seriously tons of stats like these, so I cannot share them all. I will try and write down some of the details to be shared at practice, but I haven’t had the time to list them all yet (too busy trying to soak it all in). One thing that stood out was Naomi Campbell ran about 5 minutes faster this year than last, going 1:40 per mile faster. Kimball didn’t run here last year, but the first race he did run was over 7 minute pace and yesterday he was around 6:30. The 2 freshmen that raced yesterday, Sammi and Rylee, also had outstanding races. I was very impressed with their poise and effort as they battled through the heat. Although this was their first xc race, the moment was not too big for them and they controlled their races remarkably well, and looked like experienced racers, which is a credit to the hard work they put in this summer.

Yesterday was an awesome day, but it was one step on this journey. We have a ton of work still to be done, let’s keep building on it, do some great things, and have a lot of fun on the way.

Next week we will be racing at the weber county fairgrounds for our pre region race. We will face all the schools in our region and will be racing on the course that will be used for the region championships in October. This is an important race to get familiar with the course and get some great work in.

The bus for this meet leaves at 12:45, which is crazy early. Although the race begins with the girls (JV and Varsity combined) at 3:30, and the boys at 4, the district is making all schools leave at exactly 12:45 so the bus drivers can get back to pick up the elementary students who have early out all week. After this meet we will not need to leave so ridiculously early for the races, or so I am told. I would like for each of you to email your last period teachers to let them know that you will be excused before class begins, and ask them how you can get the information you will miss, and what you can do to make up anything that is missed. This is a good strategy for the rest of the year as well. If you have any questions about the early departure time, please don’t hesitate to ask me.

On our schedule we have the Westlake grass relays this coming Saturday. At this point we would like to forego that meet, so that we don’t have 3 races in 10 days. It feels like it would be too much racing at this point, which would restrict our training and limit what we are trying to accomplish long term this year.

Practices this week will be at 2:30 Monday/Tuesday, and 2:40 once school has begun (except for freshmen whose practices will begin at 3:15). If you have any questions please let me know. Looking forward to getting back to it on Monday as we prepare for our next step of the year at Pre region.

Coach Jacobson

Beginning of the Season

Braves,

You can see the season schedule at our website bravesxc.blogspot.com

Before school begins you need to have completed the registration at registermyathlete.com and that includes getting a physical and then upload it to the website. The paperwork for that physical can be found on that website, and it must be taken in to the doctor for it to be signed.

Practices this week (8/6-8/10) will be at 7:30 M/W/F and 2:30 on T/Th. Next week practices will all be at 2:30. Our first race is a week from Friday, and there will be a bus to and from the meet at Sugarhouse park. We will be issuing uniforms next week.

If you are going to be out of town for the first meet please let me know so I do not register you.

If you have any questions please let me know.

Coach Jacobson

XC Meeting

The first XC meeting of the year will be this Wednesday at 4:30 PM in the amphitheater. We will be holding our end of year track bbq immediately before, @2:30, then we will have the XC meeting. We are looking forward to another great year, building off of the great success that we had this past season!

If you have any questions feel free to contact me at bjacobson@dsdmail.net