Palmer runners prepare for state

Coach's Comments by Norm Rousey

Every fall, the beginning of the cross-country running season brings new faces to the Palmer High team.

In contrast with recent years, the faces were additions to the girls' team.

We started with a swimmer, a hurdler, a Volleyball player, and a Basketball player; mixed with a handful of returning runners.

The increased numbers and diverse backgrounds brought a new enthusiasm for this difficult sport.

During the course of the year, injuries, illness, and other sport commitments has made it impossible to assemble ALL of the girls in the same race.

The team has not let this affect their work ethic or race performance. Every week I feel they are raising their level of physical and mental conditioning.

Last season, the Palmer boys' team had a successful year.

The team scored victories at the Palmer Invitational and the Region III Championships.

They finished the year by placing 2nd at the State Championships, the best finish by Palmer in almost a decade.

Despite the loss of two key seniors to graduation, this year's team has worked hard to maintain the momentum built by last year's team.

Illness and injury has also left the varsity boys with their best race in front of them.

This week we are traveling to Seward for the Region III Championships.

The teams are looking healthy. For some, this will be the last race of the year.

We are looking foreword to our best race of the year.

The girls' team is exited to compete as a full team and create some momentum for next year.

We hope to help them build a team that will compete at the State Championships.

The boys' team will be competing against the two most talented teams in the state.

Soldotna--the two-time defending state champions, and Kodiak--are returning powers.

We are poised and ready for the challenge.

The first lesson learned in distance running is that it is more than just running.

Distance and speed must be negotiated with strategy, physical conditioning, and mental toughness.

Although X-C is an individual sport, the team dynamic fine-tunes these skills.

This dynamic includes patience and support from coaches, parents, and athletes.

The goal is to create an environment where the maximum individual effort is expected, and achieved.

The recent tragedy in New York has helped me to appreciate our team's quality of character.

Their support and patience towards their teammates, and others, proves to me that there is something to celebrate.

This is my opportunity to express my pride in the cross country community that helps add positive energy to our lives.

-- Norm Rousey is the head coach of the Palmer cross country running team.