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