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Comments and Stories About The State Championships
I thought that the location was great! Course was very spectator friendly! I thought that the breakdowns and competition were GREAT! My son ran the race of his life: Josh Irvin - 7th grade Silver and finished 7th - he set his PR that day! That said - I was VERY disappointed that his medal did not have the engraving on the back to state his place and the year. I have ordered trophies in the past, and it's my experience that the engraving is included. That said, my son is still very proud of his accomplishment that day! I have no opinion about the team race - because I feel that our school would not enter as a team. I thought that the breakdowns were great and I love that the 7th and 8th graders competed seperately. That is just my opinion though. My son as a 7th grader could never compete with the pace set by the 8th graders. Overall - what a wonderful experience! Thank you for providing these kids this opportunity! Just work on getting the medals engraved!
-A parent-
I know that kids from Fremont really enjoyed the experience from the fastest runner to the slowest it was a day I am sure they will never forget. Maybe the teams that were there should be spreading the positives, so the meet will be what it should be in years to come. The sad thing to me is that more teams didn't sign up to enjoy the experience. We need to figure out why more teams didn't sign up- the teams that were there are awesome teams because they make cross country important and are passionate about the sport.
When you bring great teams and runners together awesome things can happen and that's what took place all day Sunday. I am sure a lot of people look at the results and say that course must be so easy but I think the major factor was the overall numbers of great runners at the meet. I would like to thank everyone that was a part of this event and keep up the good work!
-A Fan-
Very positive experience for our daughter. Big confidence boost to carry us into her high school cross county experience. Thanks for holding such a beneficial event.
-A Parent-
You and your volunteers did a wonderful job. You just can not make everyone happy. My daughter Carissa and her teammate William had so much fun and really gave it their all for this meet. I would recommand this meet to anyone for next year.
Thank You so much for everything you did.
Jessica Jenkins-Dailey
Thanks for a great meet. Sarah said this was her favorite meet this year, even better than Tiffin Carnival, and we all look forward to next year. She loved the fast course, knocked 57 sec. off her PR! Very impressed with the quality of runners. The host hotel was great.
A Parent
"Awesome event today! We were there for our daughter, Jordan, (10th
place 7th grade gold) and to cheer on two other Boardman runners in
the 8th grade gold boys race. This is our second year coming down to
Columbus for this and we plan on being back next year (hopefully with
more runners).
We took advantage of the host hotel and enjoyed our time there, too.
Thank you!"
A Parent
Jim
"I cannot thank you enough. Again, the event was great. We really liked this location - nice course, easy to get to, close to restaurants/hotels. Do you think the meet will be there next year?
Thank you, again!!"
A Parent
"Maybe I am not seeing things the same because my child was not in a team race but I was there to watch quite a few but I thought it was nicely done. We just did not have enough kids to make a team.
The registration was easy online, checking in and getting the numbers was easy and fast enough. The stadium area was very nice for a cross country race.
We were there to get DD and another friend to compete against the best of the best in middle school and to prepare them what high school might be like. We were going to have my DD sit out because she was not well with her chest cold but once we were there at the stadium there was no way of stopping her when she saw the going ons."
A Parent
"There was a total of 18 athletes from Beavercreek that came to this meet. The water park was a blast for the kids Saturday, they stayed up late that night in the hotel and were really able to build the team cohesion that they will need in High School. I have not heard one athlete say one word about the race, or how the race was set up. Only how much fun it was. Its Middle School, who cares who is the 'fastest' or best team..just have fun!!!
We had a blast and will be there next year with a less talented team and probably will lose. But we will lose with dignity."
Creek Fan
My son is now a freshman in High School. Thank you for all your great work on the Middle School Cross Country State Championships. My son ran in the Championships the past several years and they were a FABULOUS experience and one that make him a far stronger high school runner this year.
Thanks again,
Julie Steible
Sorry I didn't get to meet you at the meet, but I wanted to thank you and your staff for making it a wonderful experience for my runners and I. They had a great time and made memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you again for putting on this event! We will be back next year!
Greg DeRodes
Good Morning!
Just wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed the day in Dublin yesterday. The meet was well-organized, the facilities terrific, and weather ideal. My daughter enjoyed the race and said how nice all the girls in her event were. It is great that kids from all over the state can get together and demonstrate good sportsmanship and camaraderie.
Thanks for all your hard work -- it was a great experience!
Joan Kaatz
Coach Clay
Nice job on today's meet! Hopefully it will continue for future middle school athletes.
Marisa enjoyed the day even though she said she didn't run her best. She got boxed in at the beginning and finished 9th. A great experience overall.
Thanks again to you and others for providing this experience for Marisa.
Sincerely,
Mick Papp
Coach Clay----- Thank you!!!!-- I am Paulette Thomas and I had the little 5th grader , Grace, from St Brigid at the meet Yesterday( we talked via e-mail in Sept). I am writing to tell you how much our family enjoyed the event----- it was soooooo well run , everyone was GREAT to my daughter and helpful, as this was her first experience------ Kudos !!!!!to you and your Staff----please make sure they all know what a great job they did!!!! Grace can't wait to do some more, next time she may even know what to do!!!! She placed 11th with a 16:07 and was so excited to get a medal( you know 10 year olds still like the medal thing!!!!)--- I am going to try and get St Brigid to start a Cross Country team next fall!!!!!--- I will continue to check the web-site to school myself in this sport!!!! If you have any suggestions-- I could sure use them!!!!
Thanks Again-------------Paulette Thomas and Grace
Again a great event. We enjoyed and appreciated the chance to run against competition from around the state. Everyone I was around on Sunday I believed felt the same. Good job and thanks for your time meet directors.
Dave
On a side note, I've heard complaints on the length of the course, but Abby enjoyed the race and knows that courses vary in difficulty along with other factors. I'm a track and cross country coach, and I enjoyed going to the meet also. You guys did a great job, and I hope you keep it going.
Bob Masters
The meet was fantastic, very well organized and pleasant hosts. I know the kids enjoyed the day with friendly competitors and especially, the fun music which lead to some interesting and creative dance moves between races and on the staring line. Carly had so much fun, we stayed to cheer on her friends in 8th grade. She just started running in August and already looks forward to next year. Thanks for a great day.
Holly and Carly Croyle
By SEAN GOLDEN • Sports Writer • November 10, 2008
Buzz up! BALTIMORE - Brandon Altiers had a plan, but as it turned out all he needed was his speed and endurance.
The seventh-grader at Liberty Union Middle School capped off his first-ever season of cross country by winning the seventh-grade race at the Ohio Middle School Cross Country State Championships at Dublin Coffman on Oct. 26.
"It was pretty cool, just to be out there in front of all the fastest kids in the state," Brandon said.
Altiers helped Liberty Union Middle School win a Mid-State League Cardinal title this season, finishing at or near the top in every race he ran.
The competition that Brandon faced - 76 seventh-graders from around the state - was unfamiliar, but the uneasiness that came with facing a new field didn't last long.
"That made it harder because I didn't know who was running up against me," Brandon said. "Me and another runner were in the lead pretty much the whole time, and I just started pulling away from him."
The 12-year old hoped to figure out where he stood by the midway point of the 3,200 meter race. The strategy was a bit simpler once he took the lead.
"You just have to kind of pace yourself, and if you hear the kid behind you know you've gotta go harder," Brandon said.
Brandon had never run cross country before this season, but it quickly became apparent that he had a knack for withstanding the grind competitors face in every race.
"By the end of the first week of practice, I knew he was going to be a really positive asset to the team," Lions coach Renee Mangette said. "His mental mindset is what has made him so good."
On Sept. 24, Brandon placed second behind teammate Jeff Hanson at the MSL-Cardinal junior high meet. After that impressive finish, discussion began with Mangette about entering the state championships.
Brandon put in two weeks of training with Liberty Union's high school cross country team before competing at Dublin Coffman.
The training worked, as Brandon defeated the race's second-place finisher by nine seconds.
"I knew by the mile mark that he was going to win," Mangette said. "I was just so happy for Brandon and his family, because I know he worked hard for it and he deserved it."
Matt and Brandon's mother, Lori, followed Brandon from various points on the course during the race. Matt was on the backstretch to let Brandon know if anyone was closing in on his lead.
"It was a neat experience," Matt said. "It was emotional. It makes you feel good that your kid does well at something and to see them happy is just wonderful."
Brandon also played soccer this fall for the U-13 Lancaster Select Wildcats, who were 2008 Mid-Ohio Select Soccer League regular season champions.
Matt said that, along with his team training for Liberty Union, the extra workouts he got for the Wildcats helped turn Brandon into a tough runner.
"Brandon's the type of kid that wants to perform at the top of his ability in every game," Wildcats coach Tim Galecki said. "Every time he steps out on the field it's 100 percent, nothing is left in reserve when it's over."
Brandon said that he plans on sticking with cross country for his eighth-grade year, and also trying out the sport at the high school level at Liberty Union.
"He holds nothing back," Galecki said. "I don't think this will be his last state championship."
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