Week 17 and Nebo & Bob Firman Recaps

We've entered fall!  And the two chilly and rainy races we had last weekend proved it.

At Nebo, our JV squads ran very well.  The Fresh/Soph girls started us of with a big team victory!  Gracie Clements placed 4th, Jada Chepkwurui 8th, and Jenessa Finch just behind her in 9th.  Rounding out the scoring were Pyper Holt and Allison Brown.  The Fresh/Soph boys placed 7th in the 18 scoring team field, led by Freshman Scottie Bushar who finished 13th.  The JV girls didn't have a full scoring squad; nonetheless, they ran very well.  Brianna Loya recorded our top time and finish of the day with a 19:43 and 2nd place.  Addi Baker followed shortly after in 4th.  And finally, the JV boys placed 3rd led by Mikey Abegglen's 13th place scoring finish.

In Idaho, the Varsity teams competed at the Bob Firman Invite.  This may have been the deepest girls field ever at this meet.  Our girls ran well, but not great - we had a little better team time than last year, but weren't quite where we expected position-wise in the race.  As a result we placed 8th in the Elite race.  We were led by Jessica Hill's 27th place finish.  Following Jess was Caroline Clements (51st), Alli Baker (62nd), Ellie Bushar (69th), and Jacey Finch (73rd).  The boys didn't have a great showing, but came away with a lot of great experiences to learn from.  Carson Horspool was our top finisher in 48th place; helping the team place 15th in the Elite race.

Let's put up our usual reminders to get your minutes in and be at practice so you can compete this week at the Cedar Invite.  Please enter your minutes for Week 16 here.

Cedar Invite: On Friday, we will be racing at the Cedar Invite at CHS.   We have two buses and would love to take the whole team.  So please make sure you are eligible.  This race charges by the entry, so please be prepared to let Coach know on Monday if you are unable to attend.  The buses will leave sometime around 2:00p on Friday.  Each athlete MUST take the bus up to the meet, but can leave with your parent after all the races are finished.  If parents want to leave earlier (after your race) that is wonderful, but athletes need to stay and support their teammates in all the races, PLEASE!  Their is a YOUNGSTERS RACE at this meet.  It will be a 1.75 mile run (two of three loops of the course).  The cost (for the youngsters) is $2 and is payable at the meet.  The youth race starts at 3:30p.  HS JV Girls at 4:00; JV Boys at app. 5:00, Var Girls at app. 5:30, Var Boys at app. 6:00.

Hurricane Youth Race: Tuesday, Sept. 26th at Grandpa's Pond.  4:00p MS race, 4:30p Elem race.  Cost $2 per runner.  Sign up at the race.  Medals for top 10 MS and top 5 Elem.

Nike/Phoenix Trip: Please bring in ALL car wash money.  Get your spot reserved NOW!  $100 due this week.

Monday's Schedule: Monday is an early-out.  We will still have practice at 3:00p (be there, so you can race on Friday).  Students may use (and are encouraged to use) the time after school as a Study Hall in Coach Holt's room.

This Week's Schedule:
Monday - morning practice 5:30a long run (Level 2 & 3 required); wear white/bright shirt. Afternoon practice 3:00p, team meeting and short run (everyone).
Tuesday - morning practice 6:15a weights and short run (Level 2 & 3 required, Level 1 optional).  Afternoon 3:00p (everyone).
Wednesday - morning practice 6:15 (Level 3 required Level 2 optional, no Freshmen); wear white/bright shirt. Afternoon practice 3:00p, carpool to Dirt Mile for workout (everyone).
Thursday - morning practice 6:15a weights and short run (Level 2 & 3 required, Level 1 optional).  Afternoon 3:00p (everyone).
Friday - morning practice 6:15 (Level 3 required Level 2 optional, no Freshmen); wear white/bright shirt. Afternoon race at Cedar Invite.
Saturday - run on own or form own group.

Thought for the Week: We are going to do something a little different this week... Instead of giving you a quote, we want you to go to this site that list quotes from a book called Good to Great: ... and read through some of the quotes from the author of this book.  As you read through them, pick one that stands out most to you.  Bring that quote with you to our team meeting tomorrow and be ready to share why and how it impacted you.

Week 16 and Hurricane Recap

Hooray, car wash done!  Thanks for all of everyone's help.  For only having one week to pull it all together, it went very well.  We want to thank First Stop Car Wash for all of their help (and Nathan for being the hero of the day!).  Please bring all your unsold tickets and your car wash money to the team meeting Monday.  As we start to get things ready for our club trip to Phoenix in November, remember that the first payment of $100 will secure your spot on the bus.  This money is due ASAP (if you have more than $100 from the car wash, then bring it all in).  The final payment will be due near the beginning of October when a final cost is worked out (w/ the bus, hotels, registration, etc.).

We also had the opportunity to get on the new Region course over at Sand Hollow Golf Course on Wednesday for the Hurricane Invite.  The location was beautiful for the quick winding course.  Our JV girls ran very well and ended up winning the meet with Pyper Holt (3rd), Jada Chepkwurui (4th), Alli Brown (6th), and Macey Hayes (8th) all finishing in the top 10.  The JV boys took 3rd with Cooper Despain (5th) and Josh Miraglia (6th) finishing in the top 10.  Rylee Holt (2nd), Sylvia Brown (3rd), Alli Baker (5th), and Sarah Snow (7th) led the Varsity girls to the team title.  The Varsity boys took 3rd with Spencer Bell (8th), Scottie Bushar (9th), and Mikey Abegglen (10th) leading the way.

This week, we will be a split squad heading to two different races.  The JV runners will be racing at the Nebo Invite held at Maple Mountain HS on Friday.  The race schedule is below:
Frosh/Soph Girls Race Start Time: 3:30pm
Frosh/Soph Boys Race Start Time: 4:05pm
JV Girls Race Start Time: 4:30pm
JV Boys Race Start Time: 5:05pm
Varsity Girls Race Start Time: 5:35pm
Varsity Boys Race Start Time: 6:05pm
The bus will be leaving Friday morning (HS - 9:00, MS - 9:15) and returning back to PVHS Friday evening.  Athletes will be responsible for two meals (lunch and dinner), and will need to bring warm clothes - it looks to be chilly and rainy.  We will announce who is running in which race Monday.

The Varsity runners will be racing at the prestigious Bob Firman Invitational in Boise on Saturday.  We will be leaving on Thursday after lunch, traveling to Salt Lake (practicing on the State course), and then traveling to Boise on Friday to return home late Saturday night after the races.  The race schedule follows:
10:30   DI Varsity Boys (Sect 1) 5000m
10:55   DI Varsity Boys (Sect 2) 5000m
11:20   Elite Varsity Girls 5000m
11:50   Elite Varsity Boys 5000m
12:15   DII Varsity Girls 5000m
12:50   DI Varsity Girls 5000m
1:25   DI Varsity Girls (Sect 2) 5000m
We may be in the Elite or DI Varsity Division.  An itinerary will be sent home.

To attend either of these meets, athletes must be attending practice, have their grade check done, and minutes updated by Tuesday.

Grade Check:  Each athlete must turn in a current print out of his/her grades by Wednesday morning (before school starts) to Coach Roberts.  Our grade expectations were outlined in practice.  Those who are below our team expectations will need to take time off of practice until the grades are improved - meaning no racing.

Week 15 Minutes: Please enter your Week 15 Minutes (the week that just ended) here.  This must be done by Tuesday evening to be eligible to race.

Homecoming Week: There are a lot of events associated with Homecoming Week going on this week.  Get out and have some fun, but also remember our team and individual goals and put yourself in a position to be successful with them.  Wednesday evening is the parade.  Our team will be marching in the parade (uniform race top) and passing out shirts; please plan on joining us.

Youngsters: Regular practice schedule - Monday and Thursday afternoon.  There is a race Wednesday (20th) up at Enterprise if anyone would like to attend.  More info at practice Monday.

Schedule Updates/Changes: The Snow Canyon Invite (which was scheduled for October 4th - Wednesday) has been moved to Tuesday, October 3rd! Please make the appropriate changes to your schedule.

This Week's Schedule:
Monday - Morning: 5:30a long run (required Levels 2 and 3).  Afternoon: regular practice:warm ups, team meeting, then run; at 3:00p PVHS (all).
Tuesday - Morning: 6:15a weights and short run (required Level 2 and 3, optional Level 1).  Afternoon: regular practice at 3:00p PVHS (all).
Wednesday - Morning: 6:15a run (required Level 3, optional Level 2 - no Freshman).   Afternoon: regular practice at 3:00p PVHS then carpool to the BHNP (all).
Thursday - Morning: 6:15a weights and short run (required Level 2 and 3, optional Level 1). Afternoon: regular practice at 3:00p PVHS (JV)(Var will be running in SLC).
Friday - Morning: 6:15a run (required Level 3, optional Level 2 - no Freshman).  Afternoon: Var - practice in Boise; JV Race at Nebo Invite (Maple Mountain HS)
Saturday - organize a group run or on own.  Varsity - Race at Bob Firman Invite.

Quote: "Kites rise highest against the wind - not with it." 
- Winston Churchill

Alumni Report: Mike Finch and Josie Bushar both continue to run well at SUU.  This past week, they competed at the Riverside Invite in California and both did excellent.

Week 15 and Dixie & Murray Recaps

Pretty solid week for PVXC... Nice trail run on Monday, quality racing at Dixie on Tuesday, and then a good overnighter up at Murray and the State course.
Dixie Recap: Our Youngsters started us off with some great racing in the HEAT!  We're very proud of the great program our Youngsters and coaches are continuing this year.  The girls race then got going.  Without our top 9 girls, we still scored just two points off of Canyon View.  The JV boys followed up with a strong performance as well.  The Bloomington Hills course is always tough and really test the true grit of an xc runner and many of you showed some great determination and toughness.
Murray Recap: On Friday, we hit our biggest invite of the season up at Murray City Park.  Each race had some ups and downs, but there were a lot of great races and Panthers putting it all on this line for the team.  The Varsities got us started in the Seeded Races against some of the top teams in Utah. The boys placed a solid 6th led by Carson Horspool taking 5th overall.  We had a strong pack at 3rd-6th that is looking to move up as we continue through the rest of the season.  The reaction to the girls' 5th place finish was maybe a bit of a bummer.  But being just 1 point off the tie for 3rd and 5 points off 2nd show that the race was very tight and that continuing to bring the pack closer to placers Caroline Clements (18th) and Jessica Hill (8th) will move us right toward our goals.  The JV girls were led by Sylvia Brown finishing 16th.  The JV boys took 5th led by Spencer Bell (21st).  The Sophomore girls placed a solid 7th led by Jenessa Finch in 9th and Jada Chepkwurui in 13th.  Despite not having a full scoring team, the Sophomore boys continued to improve and ran well.  The Freshman boys all had great races and placed 5th (even with Scottie running the Var race) led by Korbin Despain in 26th.  And the Freshman girls (without Sarah who ran the Var race) place 2nd as Gracie Clements won the race, Alli Baker placed 3rd, and Pyper Holt placed 16th.  We finished up the weekend with a good workout at the State course on Saturday.

As we hit our new week, a couple quick reminders: 
Grades/School - Please make sure you are staying on top of your school work.  We have a lot of people who can help tutor and give you help in any subject you need.  Use the time after morning practice for extra study time (as well as the extra time on Mondays) and keep focused on getting your assignments in.
Health/Nutrition - The number one thing you can be doing (beside actually running) to become a better runner is to recover; and the best recovery is SLEEP!  Set a goal to get to bed earlier this week.  That might mean a little less time on your phone, hanging out, or whatever.  But by scheduling your time and getting your school work done earlier, you will allow yourself to get that extra rest you need by going to bed earlier.  Let's also make a better effort to be hydrated.  We know it is hot... drink more.  Other things you can focus on are cutting back on some of your treats and junk food.  Put something decent in your body to get something decent out.
Blogging - Recording your runs can be a huge help to your growth as a runner.  It helps you reflect on how you are doing and let's you grow from others as well.  Re-commit to journaling your runs.
We were a little off on reporting our minutes for Week 13... go back and get those in today (will close Monday morning) and then get your minutes in for last week.
Please enter your minutes for Week 14 here.White/Bright Shirts - As it is starting to be darker on every morning run now, a reminder to wear a white or bright shirt (like your camp shirts).  Those who don't will be required to run in a reflective vest.

Car Wash:  Sorry to have uncertainty about the Car Wash.  It may be held this week on Saturday, or it may be closer to Region.  We would like to get it done this week, so things can get taken care of for the club trip to Nike Southwest; however, the plans have not been finalized yet.  We hope to have all the info at our team meeting on Monday.

Our race this week is the Hurricane Invite held at the Sand Hollow Golf Course.  The top Varsity boys and girls will be doing a workout on the course, while most of the team will be racing (make sure you are attending practice and have entered your minutes).  The bus will be leaving PVHS at 4:15p (I think... sorry, will update later).  You must ride the bus over, but can come home with your parent after ALL the races are complete and checking out with Coach Decker.  The girls race is at 6:00p followed by the boys at around 6:30p.  This will be our first opportunity to run on the new region course!

Youngsters: We will continue with our normal practice schedule of Monday and Thursday at 3:00p at the high school.  This week our race at Sand Hollow Golf Course (Hurricane) has been moved back an hour.  The middle schoolers will race at 5:00p and the elementary will race at 5:30p.  The cost for each runner is $2.  Please bring your money with you to the race.  (No prerace registration is required.)

Week 14:
Monday - Morning: 5:30a long run (required Levels 2 and 3).  Afternoon: regular practice:warm ups, team meeting, then run; at 3:00p PVHS (all).
Tuesday - Morning: 6:15a weights and short run (required Level 2 and 3, optional Level 1).  Afternoon: regular practice at 3:00p PVHS (all).
Wednesday - Morning: 6:15a run (required Level 3, optional Level 2 - no Freshman).  Afternoon: Hurricane Invite, info posted above; Varsity - meet at course at 4:30p for workout.
Thursday - Morning: 6:15a weights and short run (required Level 2 and 3, optional Level 1). Afternoon: regular practice at 3:00p PVHS (all).
Friday - Morning: 6:15a run (required Level 3, optional Level 2 - no Freshman).  Afternoon: regular practice at 3:00p PVHS then carpool to the Dirt Mile (all).
Saturday - organize a group run or on own.  If we do the car wash, we will run before and then hold the car wash from 9:00a-1:00p

Quote:
"Stop being afraid of what could go wrong and start being excited about what could go right."
-anonymous

Week 14

No races this past week, but it may have been our best week of the season... the workouts were great, people were attending practice, attitudes were very good, and we continue to bond as a team and work toward reaching our team goals and supporting each other in reaching our individual goals.
After a raceless week, we've got a big week coming up in Week 14 with two races.

Tuesday we are at the Dixie All-Comers at Bloomington Hills North Park.  There is a Youngsters race at 4:30 - no cost; elementary age will run 1 lap (just short of a mile), and middle schoolers will run 2 laps (just short of 2 miles); runners should be at the park not much after 4:00.  High Schoolers race at 6:00 (girls) and guys after the girls finish (app. 6:35); everyone will run the full 3 lap (3 mile course); runners should be at the park no later than 5:15, there is NO BUS (this is our home course) so please arrange rides as necessary -- the following athletes will NOT be racing at Dixie on Tues. and will need to be at the park at 4:00 for a workout: Carson, Alex, Logan, Nathan, Julien, Dylan, Mikey, Parker, Jessica, Caroline, Jacey, Ellie, Rylee, Sarah, Alli Baker, Brianna, and Addi.  (Scottie, Spencer, Sylvia, and Gracie are right on the cusp; but we are having you race to continue building confidence.)

On Friday, we will be headed up to Murray City Park for the Murracy XC Invite.  This is an overnight trip.  We will leave at 7:45a from PVHS (no middle school pickup, just be at the high school).  Not everyone will be traveling with us (the travel team has been determined by practice and race attendance as well as other team requirements such as minute reporting); those who aren't, will need to get their Friday run in on their own.  The race schedule is:

1:00 Packet Pickup @ Start Line

2:55 National Anthem

3:00 Seeded Boys 

3:20 Seeded Girls

3:45 Open Boys Section 1

4:00 Open Boys Section 2

4:05 Awards: Seeded

4:30 Open Girls Section 1

4:45 Open Girls Section 2

5:20 Soph Boys

5:35 Soph Girls

6:10 Frosh Boys

6:30 Frosh Girls

7:15 Awards: Non Seeded

We will then go to our hotel (which one?... good question! I don't remember right now, but will update when I get back to school to look at the paper).  Saturday morning, we will go run at the State course and then hit the road back home - probably to arrive around 2:00-3:00.  Every invited athlete will get an itinerary with packing list, hotel info, and race schedule to share with parents.  There is a $25 hotel fee for this meet.  Some have paid for this through sponsors; those who haven't will be informed and need to pay this week.

Please make sure you enter you minutes for the past week.
Enter your Week 13 minutes here.

Week 14 Schedule:
Monday - No mandatory practice; those in town are invited to run with us on the Suicidal Tendencies trail.  We will meet at the HS at 7:00a.  If you don't run with the team, make sure you get your long run in on your own.
Tuesday - Morning: 6:15a weights and short run (required Level 2 and 3, optional Level 1).  Afternoon: Dixie All-Comers, meet at BHNP no later than 5:15p; Varsity - meet at park at 4:00p for workout.
Wednesday - Morning: 6:15a run (required Level 3, optional Level 2 - no Freshman).  Afternoon: regular practice at 3:00p PVHS (all).
Thursday - Morning: 6:15a weights and short run (required Level 2 and 3, optional Level 1). Afternoon: regular practice at 3:00p PVHS (all).
Friday - Morning: 6:15a run (required Level 3, optional Level 2 - no Freshman).  Afternoon: Murray Invite (invited); those not participating have practice on own.
Saturday - Morning: team practice at the State course; or on own.

Youngsters:
So the Youngsters have the opportunity to race at Bloomington Hills North Park on Tuesday (see info above - no cost!).  We will also have practice as usual on Thursday.
In the coming weeks, the Youngsters will race at the Hurricane Invite (Wednesday, Sept. 13th) held at Sand Hollow Golf Course (cost is $2 to help cover medals - payable at the meet).  The coaches will need a commitment to run this race by practice on Monday the 11th so that registration can take place online).
There will also be a race at Cedar on Friday, Sept 29th (cost $1 or $2 ?).
And Tuesday, Oct. 3rd at Snow Canyon (also a minimal cost for medals).

Week 13 Athletes of the Week:
Parker Jaten, Sr. - Parker had a great race at the SUU Invite, finishing as our 2nd JV runner.  He has consistently improved over the past two years running with us and will continue to make a big push toward a Varsity spot.
Pyper Holt, Fr. - Another member of our excellent Freshman girls squad.  Pyper has seen great improvements over the summer.  Each of the 3 races this year, she has continued to progress - leading to a 12th place overall JV finish at SUU and the 6th Panther.

Alumni:
This past Saturday Mike Finch and Josie Bushar raced for SUU at the UVU Invite.  Josie ran well in her collegiate debut and placed 5th for the T-Birds.  Mike had a solid run and was 6th for SUU.

Thought of the Week:
"Challenges are what make life interesting. Overcoming them is what makes it meaningful."
- Joshua J. Manne