LHSCC 2009 WEEKLY UPDATE #14   END OF THE SEASON….        From Coach Barbe

 

LET THE CELEBRATIONS BEGIN!  Whether you are celebrating the success of the team at the State Championships, or your own successes this season, or just celebrating that there isn’t any practice for a while, it should feel good!  This season has been described by many as the best season, ever, for LHSCC.  A quick review of the season, our teams, our new coaches, our new equipment, our activities and of course, our success; it is plain to see that it has been a season that we will remember for a long time!

 

THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS were this past Saturday, and LHSCC did us all proud.  In all events, both team and individual, the name Lakeside figured prominently in the results.  LHSCC has clearly established itself as one of the elite programs in the state, at any level.

THE BOYS VARSITY IS STATE RUNNER-UP!  After finishing third a year ago, this year’s varsity boys team took another step closer to their ultimate goal.  Recent polls had begun to doubt what the team was capable of, but the results from Saturday prove conclusively just how good this team is (and is going to be for years to come!)  Lakeside finished a close second to Marist and far ahead of all other challengers.  Just 20 points out of first, the boys were over 60 points ahead of third place!

John Ewing dropped nearly 30 seconds over his time from last season at State as he lead the entire race, except for the last 75 meters, to finish second!  John had his best season ever and says he is already looking forward to next year.

Charlie Clark had similar improvements from last year, and added an incredible finish to take home the medal for 6th place overall!

Senior captain David Dixon also capped an outstanding season, finishing just out of the medals in 11th place overall.  He was followed by newcomer Brent Reynolds (24th overall), Tyler Lucas (38th), freshman Ryan Kelly (51st) and Abaho Katabarwa.  Other members of the boys state team included: 

Josh Traynelis, Trey Smith-Purcell, Kyle Hosford,  Joe Sharp and (finally, in his senior year) Pete Kostopoulos!

THE GIRLS VARSITY FINISHED 5TH OVERALL.  After a season that is best described as one of “drama” the girls came together for their best team effort of the season.  The team had been counted out by many people as a result of injuries, illness and youth, but the girls showed their Viking Pride at the biggest race of the season!

Meghan Wetterhall dropped nearly a half minute from her championship time from a year ago, but couldn’t keep up with her rival from the “other Lakeside” who she defeated last season.  Meghan’s second place finish is the best back to back finish by a Lakeside runner in many years. (and she will only be a junior next season!)

Annie Kelly beat two runners right at the finish line Saturday to finish 4th overall in just her first state championship!  (and then, rumor has it, she went out and swam for a couple of hours!)

Hayley Keadey, another of the fantastic freshman girls, had her best race of the season (even better than Wendy’s)!  Hayley finished 16th overall and looks only to get faster as she begins to realize just how good she can be.  Kristy Weirich (56th) and Andrea Thomas (75th) finished the scoring for the girls.  This was Kristy’s first state championship race and Andrea earned respect for the effort after a long, illness plagued season.  Freshman Katie Guzdial and senior captain Katherine Jennings rounded out Saturday’s racers.  Other members of the state team included:  seniors Kaylee Bigger, Robyn Finley, juniors Anastasyia Lobacheva, Meg Maciuba and freshman Jennifer Cora.

 

ALL TEAM MEMBERS SHOULD BE CONGRATULATED FOR THEIR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION TO THE LHSCC TRADITION!

 

THE LHSCC TEAM and AWARDS BANQUET is

Thursday, Nov. 12 at 6:30 in the cafeteria

THE VIKING ADVENTURE RACE is scheduled for Nov. 20 &21

Interested runners, including parents and alumni can sign up at the banquet

 

DON’T FORGET TO TURN IN YOUR UNIFORMS ASAP.  All uniforms should be turned in to Coach Barbe, in room 106 now.  Or you can bring your uniform to the banquet.

 

 

OUR OFF-SEASON CALENDER has lots of dates to remember, including:

 

Thursday, Nov. 12 – LHSCC Awards Banquet

 

Friday, Nov. 20 and Saturday, Nov. 21 – Viking Adventure Race

 

Saturday, Nov. 21 – Lakeside foundation’s “Viking 5-K” (this is also part of the adventure race)

 

Thursday, Nov. 26 – Atlanta Marathon (half and full)

 

Saturday, Nov. 28 – Foot Locker Cross Country Championships

 

Saturday, Feb. 27 – Charles Harris 10-K (this is an excellent, local qualifier for the Peachtree)

 

The fourth of July – Peachtree Road Race

 

Sunday – Thursday, the last week of July – Summer Camp

 

CHECK THE WEBSITE for additional updates and events.  We will be organizing off-season training and fun runs as we prepare for next year, so keep in touch!

 

ONE LAST COACH’S TIP:  DON’T FORGET!  There were so many things to remember from this season.  Training tips, good friends and teammates, exciting races and events.  It is important to remember all of these, so that we can build on them so that we can continue to improve.  We don’t want to start all over again next August.  So…keep running, training, eating right and hydrating.  Stay in touch with your coaches and LHSCC teammates.  Watch the website for events.  You may not realize it, but next season has already begun!!