In the course of any challenging run or race, it is inevitable that an occassional thought or two sneaks in: Quit! Give up! This is too hard! You won't finish! What keeps us coming back is the challenge to overcome such thoughts, to overcome our weaker selves.
Similar thoughts creep into the minds of kids while in high school. Some, the weak or distracted, follow the voices and never even graduate. Some listen to those sinister sounds after getting started in cross country as a freshman. They never make it to the four year finish line.
We celebrate endurance in King Cross Country. After all, the sport is built on "keepin' on." Some of our most cherished athletes are those who go all four years, they started as 9th graders and never missed a season through high school. This is not to say their time was smooth, if it went like most four year spans do, there were highs and lows. But they kept on.
So on that note, we'll begin to sing the praises of our "Four Year Runners". They'll end the year with a fine plaque commemorating their endurance, for starters, we'll post a photo and some praise.
Hayden Traver's got XC ties ... his older sister ran for King, and his dad and the La Sierra head coach are good friends. As Hayden tells the story, there was a bit of a shove in the back by mom and dad on Day One of XC back in 2005. But out he came and he hasn't missed a moment. Hayden will be the first to admit that he's not "fast" and perhaps not even really interested in being fast. Just "being" is more of what Hayden is into, he enjoys the comraderie of the team, the friends he's made and the experiences he's gained. This is all good.
He's got an incisive wit and sometimes his words twist on the way out, curled off the wry smile that purses the corner of his mouth. A twinkle telegraphs you that he's in on the joke. He's a keen observor of others, be assured, if you're in the same place with Hayden, chances are he's studying you. Sizing you up. Making sense of you. There are multiple layers to Hayden and at the spry age of 17, he comes across content with who he is, he's comfortable in his own skin.
A well-stamped passport reveals even more; he's literally seen more of this world at this age than most teenage internet addicts can boast, he's traveled to nearly every state in the country and can tell tales of his present moments in places of historic significance. He's well read, a great student (he passed the AP US and AP European history exams with the top score of 5) and well on his way to success in college and beyond.
Though his race performances won't show up in any all-time lists, Hayden is ok with that. He's been busy for four year not necessarily lighting the night sky up, but steadily being a trustworthy teammate and athlete. He has graced us with moments of great levity and mirth and he has fashioned for himself a four years worth bragging about.
Similar thoughts creep into the minds of kids while in high school. Some, the weak or distracted, follow the voices and never even graduate. Some listen to those sinister sounds after getting started in cross country as a freshman. They never make it to the four year finish line.
We celebrate endurance in King Cross Country. After all, the sport is built on "keepin' on." Some of our most cherished athletes are those who go all four years, they started as 9th graders and never missed a season through high school. This is not to say their time was smooth, if it went like most four year spans do, there were highs and lows. But they kept on.
So on that note, we'll begin to sing the praises of our "Four Year Runners". They'll end the year with a fine plaque commemorating their endurance, for starters, we'll post a photo and some praise.
Hayden Traver's got XC ties ... his older sister ran for King, and his dad and the La Sierra head coach are good friends. As Hayden tells the story, there was a bit of a shove in the back by mom and dad on Day One of XC back in 2005. But out he came and he hasn't missed a moment. Hayden will be the first to admit that he's not "fast" and perhaps not even really interested in being fast. Just "being" is more of what Hayden is into, he enjoys the comraderie of the team, the friends he's made and the experiences he's gained. This is all good.
He's got an incisive wit and sometimes his words twist on the way out, curled off the wry smile that purses the corner of his mouth. A twinkle telegraphs you that he's in on the joke. He's a keen observor of others, be assured, if you're in the same place with Hayden, chances are he's studying you. Sizing you up. Making sense of you. There are multiple layers to Hayden and at the spry age of 17, he comes across content with who he is, he's comfortable in his own skin.
A well-stamped passport reveals even more; he's literally seen more of this world at this age than most teenage internet addicts can boast, he's traveled to nearly every state in the country and can tell tales of his present moments in places of historic significance. He's well read, a great student (he passed the AP US and AP European history exams with the top score of 5) and well on his way to success in college and beyond.
Though his race performances won't show up in any all-time lists, Hayden is ok with that. He's been busy for four year not necessarily lighting the night sky up, but steadily being a trustworthy teammate and athlete. He has graced us with moments of great levity and mirth and he has fashioned for himself a four years worth bragging about.
Hayden, this is Rob and Michael.
ReplyDeleteyou dont look happy. are u unsatisfied with your medal? is it not shiny enough?