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See the End of the Year Awards 
END OF THE YEAR HIGHLIGHTS for 1999! COACH'S AWARD HIGH POINT WINNER MOST IMPROVED Also, Congratulations to the Sycamore Girls Cross Country Team for being the first Sycamore Girls Cross Country Team to qualify for State, where they placed 11th. I have always felt I am the luckiest man alive to be able to coach such an incredible sport -- cross country. It allows for anyone with a desire to strive to be their best to participate, rewards those that work their hardest and punishes those that do not. It is a life habit that prepares all of us for life's daily trials. To work with student athletes like you is a privilege and I thank you for the opportunity. I am proud of our accomplishments. We were
ranked in the top ten in the strongest city in the state consistently throughout
the season. We finished 5th in the Troy Invitational among 27 teams.
We finished 3rd at ST. X in a strong field. However, placement in
meets is very dependent on who is there. Personal records are not.
As a team, we continually made huge strides each week. It was typical
to see several runners drop a minute and even two minutes off their
time. We put two runners in the top 5 on the all time list and added
several others to the list. Several runners emerged as strong candidates
for All League, All City and All State for the next season. We had
our first all league runner in over 10 years. Every practice saw everyone
working extremely hard and encouraging each other. I was told by
several coaches that they were impressed by our spirit at the starting
line every meet. We truly did reach for our goals together.
I have been very open about my goal to make Sycamore
Cross Country a national caliber program. I am very pleased weith our progress
this season. We have never had so many runners eager to work in the off-season.
Though we will miss our senior leadership tremendously, we return most
of our team and I believe can make a run at the State meet. Our girls'
team has shown us the way. They have taken the first step, now it is our
turn to take the next. How do we get there? Together!
We must continually recruit other runners, push each other to run consistently
and effectively. Our days of jogging are over. Though we must always
have fun, we mush have a goal each run. We must always strive to improve
each other and ourselves. When I think of CCP, I think of togetherness.
A group pursuing a mission. No one person can get it done and we
all need help along the way. Let us make a commitment to each other.
Let me finish by saying I pray daily that I make cross country a learning and enjoyable experience for every single participant. I coach not to win, but to help you become successful young men in life. I get attached to you and this time of year really is sad, because I do love you all and will miss you. However, the CCP is a family, and we must stick together when we move on. Thank you once again for letting me be a part of your family. Seniors, Thank you. I hope you realize your contribution to this program. When we continue to improve each year, it will be you that we look back on and say that it was this group that showed the younger runners what it takes to be the best. It will be you that we agree on that showed us what family, sportsmanship, and loyalty meant. All the things necessary for success were planted this year. Please stay in touch and continue to be a part of this family. Togetherness is forever. Good Luck to everyone in your life's journey. Coach Smanik
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Brandon Middleton, '99, running cross country for Saint Louis University, recorded the team's best time at their first invitational. See SLU's website here. |
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| This site by
Nolan Kaplan |
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