Congratulations to the Bulldogs - both the Boys Team and Girls Team have qualified for the Colorado State Championships to be held next Saturday at the Norris Penrose Event Center in Colorado Springs.
Details are still to come, but plan on being there to cheer on the 'Dogs as they once again compete at State.
Details are still to come, but plan on being there to cheer on the 'Dogs as they once again compete at State.
Regionals. The 2nd biggest 'show of the year'. 2nd only to State. Today is the day. All the 'Dogs running today have heard the message. We're on the edge, but boy the Boys team and Girls team are on the outside looking in. We're gonna hafta show up big today to earn our spot at State. As we look into each runner's eyes, we see confidence, determination and nervous energy. We're as ready as can be. Let's kick the tires & light the fires!
Less than an hour to go. The 'Dogs get their number on, put the timing chip on their shoelaces, get hydrated and do some stretching.
The 4A boys are done, now it's our turn. Time for a little pre-race talk, some strategy and some laughs. NOW we're ready.
There's the gun. Today we're going to stick together, pack up tight and git 'er done!
The Bulldogs are packed well, but dangerously distant from the leaders. They're going to have to start moving up now. Can they do it?
They're closing the gap and moving tighter to the lead pack. But there's still a ways to go.
Here they come! Isaiah - bum hamstring & all - drives hard for 10th place. Dale & Sam are close behind, sprinting out their finish. Robert is a couple more back, then Nathan & Bridger kick it in. Finally, Uriah and Jonah outsprint the competition to close out the race for the Bulldogs. Now we have to wait for the final tally to make sure we're one of the top 5 teams. We're cautiously optimistic, but nervously waiting..............
THERE IT IS!!! We're in! A 4th place finish, beating 2 tough teams which were ranked higher than us! The Boys are going to State.
A little more than 30 minutes later the Girls Team is on the line. It all comes down to this. 5 teams out of 11 will move on to State. The Bulldogs are currently ranked 8th. It's gonna take a top effort from everyone today to extend our season a week.
The gun fires & the Girls jump off the line. In the next 25 minutes we find out if we're tough enough to pull this off.
Jenna & Amie run with the lead pack, as expected. Clara is just behind them, with Emily & Natalee another group back. Next are Mariah, Savannah and Bethany working their way up.
Here's the final sprint to the end. Jenna leads the way into 6th, Amie right behind in 8th. Two Bulldogs in the top ten is a great start! Clara in 23rd, Natalee in 34th complete the scoring today for the 'Dogs. Mariah, Savannah, Emily and Bethany finish strong with great sprints at the end.
We have a brief wait while the scoring is finalized, and the whole team is on pins & needles waiting to see if we made it.
We have a brief wait while the scoring is finalized, and the whole team is on pins & needles waiting to see if we made it.
Then Uriah & Jonah spot the lady with the scoring & sprint to the wall. As she tapes up the scores, Uriah & Jonah's jump into the sky tells us all what we want to know. The Girls have done it!!! Just like the Boys team, the Girls finish 4th. We're off to State to compete next week!!!
Congrats to the Bulldogs Girls Team and the Bulldogs Boys Team!
Congrats to the Bulldogs Girls Team and the Bulldogs Boys Team!
Isaiah poses with the rest of the top runners in the Region. 10th place on a pulled hamstring is AWESOME!
Jenna & Amie celebrate with their top competitors. Jenna's 6th place and Amie's 8th place is the first time in years that the Lady Bulldogs have placed two All-Conference and All-Regional runners. Way to go ladies - leading the team back to State!
As what just happened sinks in, the Bulldogs feel tremendous joy, relief and pride in their day. The Coaches challenged us, and every runner stepped up today to push to State. Most every runner set a PR (personal record) today - some by over a minute!!!
Bulldogs - savor the successes today and build on them as we go forward.
We're very proud of you.
Bulldogs - savor the successes today and build on them as we go forward.
We're very proud of you.