Saturday morning - Janice and I start the day with a run of our own. 8.5 miles on the waterfront. A good run followed by our customary latte and flash forward - 2 hours with 8 people crammed into the Honda Pilot and we are in Eugene.
We navigate the scene at Lane Community College to see how we might best observe and encourage Christian. Janice's brother Pat and niece McKain are enthusiastic and game for anything.
We do a trial run during the girls 6A race. Janice and I enjoy watching Annamarie Maag run a very smart and gutsy race and overcome Alexandra Jones of St. Mary's at the very end. It is bittersweet for me as I have to watch a fellow LC alum Dan Jones watch his daughter get beat in the final 1/4 mile.
I can't imagine Janice's nerves - my stomach is butterflies and more as they announce 5 minutes to the start of Christian's race. I decide to take pictures of the start - Janice, Pat and McKain will take the bluff. Surprisingly fast the gun goes off and Patrick Maag leads the charge.
The black jersies of JHS take their familiar spot at the head of the pack. It seems all too familiar.
They head into the trees and we won't know for a full 6 minutes what is happening. They emerge with the Crusader boys still all together right behind the two solitary leaders. Christian and Ben Demaree leading the way with Andi, Willie and Patrick very close behind.
An unknown from North Medford is in the # 2 spot and looking very tough but the boys don't care - if they stay close together they know the championship is theirs. As has been true all year - Central Catholic is no where to be found except for a lone runner in the top 10.
They do a final loop around the softball and baseball fields and we all run for the finish line. I have had a couple of glimpses of Janice - as we criss and cross the course - with only brief moments to express a "so far so good"! I have never seen Janice so nervous and excited at the same time.
We have to shove for a front line spot on the final stretch and here comes the # 1 runner and it is the North Medford kid. Way to go! then the #2 runner from South Eugene and then four - yes count em - 4 Jesuit runners- all in a pack. It is a beautiful sight with 300 meters to go.
They hit the final turn and Ben, Christian and Andi look to the coach for the green light on a terrific kick. And they finish 3,4, 5, 6 and here comes our fifth runner in the 10 spot.
One of the best team performances in Oregon State Cross Country history. Their final score of 28 is the second lowest score in the state's history. Having witnessed the McChesney years at South Eugene - I am amazed that these kids are even better.
The day ends with proud parents and endless smiles at the Burger house. Thank goodness we get an extra hour this weekend for the families and friends to celebrate.
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