As you are all well-aware, it has been a very succesful XC season so far for Austin, and even Erik. Facebook and Instagram are bursting with updates of our fabulous runners. It's hard to keep from shouting to the world of how proud we are of the hard work their putting into their running that is paying off. Some runners aren't so lucky, as we know a few on Austin's team would like to feel better, do better, and make the kind of strides he's making.
Even though it's already on social media, I'm copying the link to Austin's interview here, just to make sure we can find it more easily in the future.
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/19fbwqMdAz/
Not only was that posted this week on Social News, but he learned that he was awarded the Male Wild Card from Fleet Feet of Detroit to run in the Brooks Midwest Regional Championship the Saturday after Thanksgiving at the Wisconsin Dannehl National XC course. He'll be up against some of the best runners from CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, and WI. Jason and I have known for a month and have to keep quiet about it to make it a surprise. It was hard!
Yesterday, Austin knocked off 3 more seconds from his previous PR in the Gabriel Richard meet. He came in 2nd, though he led the race for most of the time. Apparently, the guy who beat him has a crazy good kick! Erik came in hot during the JV race, shaving a whopping 30 seconds off his time, for a 17:36. This course tends to be where a lot runners make new PRs, so we weren't too surprised that he cut off so much time, but we were surprised that he came in 9th since he was up against some very fast runners. He was our team's first JV runner to finish, again.
It was the perfect day for a race- beautiful fall weather and chilly for the spectators!
Fantastic finish for Erik!
At the mile, Austin was with the first group.
He was in front just after the second mile.
Austin's finish. These pics aren't very close up, but the scenery is gorgeous!
It's always fun when your friends and teammates do well also.
JV top finishers got ribbons, to Erik's dismay!
Varsity got medals!
My boys!
A few days earlier, to no one's surprise, Salem took first place in our dual meet against Plymouth and Canton, winning us the PCEP Championship (PCEP, meaning our highschool of 3 schools). Austin and his two fastest teammates took 1,2, and 3 for an easy run in the 16:40s. Austin kept looking behind him to see how far the Plynouth runner was behind them so he could make sure they ran fast enough to beat him, but not too fast that they would be too tired for the meet yesterday. The first Plymouth runner is actaully a freshman and is crazy good! He's also about one of the nicest kids around, and so are his parents. Since he runs varsity, but is in Erik's grade, he always cheers Erik on. This particular meet included the Varsity and JV running together. Erik did well and had fun. There were no PRs for anyone because of the hot/humid weather, but he was in a good place.
Our top 3!
Erik, looking good behind some Canton Varisty runners!
Our top 3!
Winners!
Seniors!
With our coaches!
The next day, Austin performed in the orchestra/choir concert for his first time with the Symphony. Not only did he get to play the cello with the symphony for the first time, but he tried out for and was selcted as the piano accompianst for their first selection of the night- Water Lily. You can't see him playing as the piano was at the back, but the music is so beautiful and it was the best piece of the night. (I may be a little bias, but I was told the same thing from a musical friend.) I'll include that here, followed by the next piece they played that was so cool. Beware, Water Lily is like a lullaby and put Erik to sleep a few different nights when Austin was practicing!
Final accomplishment: Kade is an assistant manager at Zumiez now!!
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