STATE SECTIONALS

Raining WAY TOO HARD out there. I wanted to hand out uniforms for tomorrow. They will get SOAKED during transport.

NOT GONNA HAPPEN!

For those seven running, will bring them at 7AM tomorrow and you all can change into them.

Decide if you want red shorts or not.  I shall collect and clean them after you all run. 

Be prepared for MUD, SLICK CONDITIONS, and COLD.

Bring sweats, coat, hat, gloves...whatever you need. If you have spiked racing flats, bring them. If not be prepared to protect yourself out there!

BUS LEAVES at 7:30 for those NOT competing.

WATER ANYONE?

MAD HATTER DAY

We had the field today, so we decided to have a MAD HATTER contest!

SITH LORD PRACTICE

While we were practicing at our most sacred place because the PVIAC meet was postponed, ( NO DAYS OFF), a SITH LORD joined us!

We also saw a deer, but who's really looking at a deer?

YOUR OLYMPIC CONNECTION

Well, sort of... NO, THERE IS A CONNECTION HEREJOAN BENOIT WINS THE FIRST WOMEN'S OLYMPIC MARATHON IN 1984IN 1984, THE STARTER WAS MY GOOD FRIEND KEN CAOUETTE ( PICTURED HERE RECEIVING ONE OF THE ORIGINAL  DUCK RACES SHIRTS)

(PICTURE COURTESY OF COACH RYAN CORBETT'S DAD, KEN)

DUCK, ALSO WORKED THOSE SAME OLYMPIC GAMES ALONG WITH THE GREAT BILL KANE OF HOLYOKE (PICTURED BELOW DUCK)

TED DUTKIEWICZ

BILL KANE

ALSO, THE GUY ON THE RIGHT CARRIED THE OLYMPIC FLAME AND TORCH THROUGH WESTERN MASS BACK IN 1984

TODAY'S MEET

Sorry I did not leave you all with instructions for today. Too many things going on.

Today, arrive sometime after 2:30. Get your assignments started for school, or any meetings you might have to attend (you folks are good at this already). 

I can get the boys to put out the cones (which I have to go get in Holyoke...another story!)

Be dressed warm-up as well as bring a jacket in case of rain.

Renassiance shall arrive and we shall walk the course together (or necessary parts). They have a skeleton crew.  We should get underway quickly. 

When we reach the entrance way back to the school....everyone jog in. Once you have reached the track upon your return, go to the tennis court and start your cycle to run. I shall give the teams about 15 to 20 minutes on they have arrived to begin the race.

It is important that you manage your time - this includes bathroom. 

Will blow a whistle at 2 minutes and again at 1 minute, then I shall raise the flag and fire the pistol. If you are NOT there, it is not MY fault. I shall make no exceptions (unless it is something within reason).

THIS prepares you for the Championship meets. They will start without you if need be.

Use the FORCE today ( Focus On Respect, Commitment, Excellence)

 

OCTOBER SHIRTS

Will order shirt sizes in pink tomorrow.

Instead of Spartan Cross Country, would you like to go with this logo instead on the front? 

Whether yes or no, do you want a black border around whatever logo is selected? (imagine our red shirts without a white border around the silver...unless you all want a darker pink?

 

 

MEET vs. PUTNAM & CENTRAL

Expect anything today. 

Thundershowers are forecast. If so, meet COULD be moved to Wednesday. If that is the case, we shall practice inside today - bring practice gear. Yoga on Wednesday would have to cancel. Meets take priority.

We will not know until after 1pm. Springfield Athletic Director will make the call.

Other options include (but are not limited to):

1) Not walking the course since we know it already to get it in sooner

2) Later start either on today or Wednesday

3) A day other than Wednesday since we have team pictures that day

4) A VERY WET race today...if so, be cautious when we run - could be slippery

5) Something else...listen for announcements from Mr. Magee

OLD SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY AT FOREST PARK

MARATHON MAN

East Longmeadow Assistant Coach Scott Besser runs in his first marathon this weekend in New Hampshire. Let's wish him well and a lot of success in this endeavor!

Coach Besser from College XC to Marathon

TODAY WE LOST THE BEST

DICK ATKINSON 

E-MAIL ALSO SENT

 Tomorrow we go to Holyoke's Ashley Reservoir to race. This is located by the Elk's Lodge off of Whitney Avenue (250), opposite the Holyoke Mall.

When you arrive, go through the pathway which I believe is North of the Lodge to the starting line.

A number of things to be aware of:

Our bus is scheduled to leave at 2:30. Go to the bathroom beforehand, but the Lodge will eventually open before the race.

Holyoke shall probably arrive late, and we still must walk the course.  

I think the Boys shall go first or at least a few minutes before the Girls.

Parts of that course could have mosquitoes or gnats at this time of the year. My suggestion is that you bring your own bug spray or repellent. If you are not allergic to it, you might need it.  Maybe a lotion or some sort of protectant pad. I will bring cleaning pads to wipe off afterwards if needed. Check with your parents first. Coaches are NOT permitted to supply you with anything else except cleaning wipes.

Parents ARE encouraged to bring fruit, water and beverages for the team as recovery items! We are GREEDY! THIS coach likes watermelon.( it is still in season)..better SAVE him some!

MASKS: Must wear on the bus and I would suggest while walking the course.  STAY TOGETHER as we discussed Saturday...look for landmarks so that you do not get lost.

Guests must also wear masks, unless instructed by the home team not to. ALWAYS be prepared!  Guests should social distance whenever possible. Holyoke has not released any limitations yet. Springfield on the other hand HAS. We shall go over their's this week.

Let's have some FUN tomorrow and LEARN!

WINNING

 

USE THOSE ARMS AND LEGS IN UNISON!

 Athing Mu, a 19 year old from Trenton, New Jersey wins the 800 meter run in an American Record time at the Tokyo Olympics.

WATCH her form and how she utilizes her legs. Watch her arms and how she extends them with perfect form.

F.O.R.C.E.

I guess it had to happen some day. Coach Budd would use the FORCE as a method of training.

Focus

On

Respect,

Commitment,

Excellence

 

HEAT

Heat index is high most of this week. It is suggested that you run early in the morning as lightning and thunder are predicted for the evenings. Stay safe!

MASSACHUSETTS SENIOR OLYMPICS

Thank you to Alumni for helping to make the Massachusetts Senior Olympic Games a great success as well as members of the East Longmeadow Lady Spartan family.

Pictured here is Discus School record holder and Regis College graduate/thrower Elisabeth Cooke (r) and Springfield College graduate Carolynn Bedell(l). 

We also received some assistance from Western Mass Recordholder and Morgan State graduate's Mom, Mrs. Everett (Jenise Everett was our school and Western Mass record triple jumper- soon to be a Hall of Famer), Coach Carr, and former boys Long Jumper and assistant Coach Benoit.

For those of you seeking community service hours, you should volunteer for events Coach Budd puts out there, because a lot of the time there are other incentives, like free meals or in this case, free tee-shirts that commemorate the occasion. This time volunteers also got paid.

FORMER LADY SPARTANS THAT ALSO COMPETED IN THE YOUTH OLYMPICS