After all that hard work setting up the course, there was a Severe Thunderstorm that came through the area around midnight. We all hoped and prayed that the posts, caution tape and snow fencing would stay in place! All was well.
Marissa had to be at the course by 7:20 am. It was still raining at this time. It didn't stop raining until 8:00 am. Thank goodness it stopped before the race. The course will be wet and slippery but at least it will be rain free. Marissa knew the storm was coming so she prepared by putting in her long spikes last night. She is excited and maybe a bit nervous about running this race. This is the first race this season where she is allowed to run at her pace; she doesn't have to run with someone. THANK GOODNESS - and - IT'S ABOUT TIME!
Mark is a course monitor so he was stationed at post 8 (Turkula Hill). He saw some of the toughest racing because it is a very tough hill. He said many of the inexperienced or out-of-condition runners walked the hill. He would only get to see the runners at this point.
Marissa's race started at 8:30. Her coaches wanted her to run in the JV race. She was on the far right side; as soon as the gun went off she sprinted with Erin Edmondson for the lead. By the time she came around the corner on the first lap she was in the lead with three other girls (Marissa, Erin, and two girls from Assumption).
By the time the girls came around the first loop of the course (it circles back) she, Erin and the girl from Assumption were parallel to each other coming up the hill. She was contending for 1st, 2nd or 3rd place. WOW!
Then she disappears again, and we wont see her until the finish. Erin came in first, the Assumption girl was second and Marissa took 3rd place with a time of 21:01.03 (56 seconds better than last year's race time). She was back, and proved that she is ready to race! WOW! We are so proud of her! If she had ran in the Varsity race she would have earned 20th place. Still awesome!!!
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| Coach Sykora hugging Erin, Coach Phillips talking to Marissa |
After the race her coaches were so complimentary.
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| Coach Sykora hugging Marissa, Coach Phillips talking to Erin |
At the award ceremony Marissa was called to the front, and stood on a platform to receive her medal! Then the Assumption girl and then Erin Edmondson.
The three finalists!
After the three finalists were announced, they announced the team awards. The JV girls took 2nd place! Varsity girls took 7th place (with 4 of their top runners missing - Shelby, Marissa, Erin, and Emma). JV Boys took 2nd place, and Varsity Boys took 2nd place! Great day for NOHS!
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| Mark and Kathy Adams relaxing at the award ceremony |
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| Marissa and her daddy! We love you! |
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| Marissa and her best friend, Makenzie Mullins in their medals |
Robert's race is next. He races at 1:00 pm which was nice because it gave the course a chance to dry up, and not be so slippery on the hills. Robert got a great start. The boys' middle school race is very crowded. You have to get a good start in order to have a good race time. At the first turn Robert was 6th for the team, but way up in the front of the pack.
There was an amazing young boy in the race that ran with an amputated let. It was so touching that I had to take a picture! Let's just remember that he is an example of bravery, courage, discipline and pure heart!
Robert in his medal. He didn't stay for the awards ceremony but his name was announced (top 10 announced), and the team won 1st place! Great day for the Lowe runners!
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