2008 XC Welcome Letter


2008 Team Training Racing MDRC Support History 2006 Guidebook Girls XC	2008 Welcome Letter TEAM We see teams everywhere today. And, of course, the very concept is essential to sport. Most of us have belonged to teams as long as we can remember. From our earliest experiences in youth sports to the many collective experiences we share in our high school, we have learned the value of team. We understand role of teamwork, the subjugation of the ego; that, on a true team, the sum is greater than the parts. We see the fruits of commitment to a team, achieving success well beyond individual glory. But what is a cross country team? At first look, the notion of team in cross country seems much different from our traditional experiences. Most accept that the sport is highly individual. Each of you makes individual commitments to train, deciding to log countless miles over many day just to get in shape for the season. The season itself is comprised of race after race that, while including team scoring, comes down to individual effort and individual performance. Combine those influences with the simple numbers game involved in the sport. Quite simply, a cross country team needs only five runners to score in any given meet – we have nearly 70 this year. It is easy to see why some would dismiss the concept of team from our sport and relegate their involvement to something less that that higher ideal. But not us. Not here. Not this year. Instead we want this year to be epitomized by team. This year, we want to wholly embrace the notion that each of us is made better by committing fully to the whole. That each of us realizes that every drop of sweat poured forth this year is not just for self – it is for team. That we compete not solely for individual improvement, but instead we push for the progress of our partners participating with us. That we realize that – whether we are the #1 runner or the 70th – our contributions can make this year better for everyone. Of course, this is not completely new to us - we all know (hopefully) that “we are a team” is one of our guiding principles. We recognize that the strength of the wolf is the pack. But this year, we are asking for a stronger commitment to the team concept. You will see subtle changes in the way we do things to reinforce that notion. The team concept will be reinforced in your training and your racing. We will challenge you to take individual responsibility for the team. And we will hold you accountable for that very commitment. In the end, we hope you will make the ultimate sacrifice in sport – the sacrifice of self for your team. As coaches, we realize this season is full of potential. We return a strong core of talented runners, led by an experienced senior class. We have a deep pool of underclassman that has worked hard to put themselves in a position to have successful seasons. We welcome incoming freshman who are ready to experience running high school country. Nearly 70 guys overall -- seventy individuals. Let’s get the most out of this season. Let’s become a team.

2008 Welcome Letter

TEAM

We see teams everywhere today. And, of course, the very concept is essential to sport. Most of us have belonged to teams as long as we can remember. From our earliest experiences in youth sports to the many collective experiences we share in our high school, we have learned the value of team. We understand role of teamwork, the subjugation of the ego; that, on a true team, the sum is greater than the parts. We see the fruits of commitment to a team, achieving success well beyond individual glory.

But what is a cross country team?

At first look, the notion of team in cross country seems much different from our traditional experiences. Most accept that the sport is highly individual. Each of you makes individual commitments to train, deciding to log countless miles over many day just to get in shape for the season. The season itself is comprised of race after race that, while including team scoring, comes down to individual effort and individual performance. Combine those influences with the simple numbers game involved in the sport. Quite simply, a cross country team needs only five runners to score in any given meet – we have nearly 70 this year. It is easy to see why some would dismiss the concept of team from our sport and relegate their involvement to something less that that higher ideal.

But not us. Not here. Not this year.

Instead we want this year to be epitomized by team. This year, we want to wholly embrace the notion that each of us is made better by committing fully to the whole. That each of us realizes that every drop of sweat poured forth this year is not just for self – it is for team. That we compete not solely for individual improvement, but instead we push for the progress of our partners participating with us. That we realize that – whether we are the #1 runner or the 70th – our contributions can make this year better for everyone.

Of course, this is not completely new to us - we all know (hopefully) that “we are a team” is one of our guiding principles. We recognize that the strength of the wolf is the pack. But this year, we are asking for a stronger commitment to the team concept. You will see subtle changes in the way we do things to reinforce that notion. The team concept will be reinforced in your training and your racing. We will challenge you to take individual responsibility for the team. And we will hold you accountable for that very commitment. In the end, we hope you will make the ultimate sacrifice in sport – the sacrifice of self for your team.

As coaches, we realize this season is full of potential. We return a strong core of talented runners, led by an experienced senior class. We have a deep pool of underclassman that has worked hard to put themselves in a position to have successful seasons. We welcome incoming freshman who are ready to experience running high school country. Nearly 70 guys overall -- seventy individuals.

Let’s get the most out of this season. Let’s become a team.