Chapel Hill's boy's team isn't the only team traveling to Portland this year. This year's Nike Team Nationals has introduced a brand new race to its format. Nike announced earlier in the XC season that it would also be hosting an "open" race. This race would be based on a first come first serve basis to the first 30 teams. The big difference, these teams must pay their way.
Mooresville's boys, who won this year's 3A state title after finishing 5th in 2005 will be making the long trip across the country to compete as well. This has been a very special season for Mooresville, so what a great way to end it.
"Patrick (Campbell) and Joseph (Newman) told me about it when Dyestat first made the announcement. I signed us up that night after being persuaded by some parents that were very supportive. I didn't tell the guys that we got in though until the end of September. They were a bit surprised about it . . . , " said Coach Michael Serefine.
"We are going out there to soak everything in! We really want to have a good time and we hope to represent North Carolina well. We are going to go to the University of Oregon to see Hayward Field . . . I think the kids are really excited about that! I think we are looking forward to the entire trip though! Coach Olsen's only advice to me was to make sure we have fun and enjoy every minute of it, so we are going to do just that."
What an experience this is going to be for a group of kids who improved quite a bit from last year's team. Mooresville really popped onto the scene when they won (or finished 2nd with Walton HS (GA) scoring) at the Eye Opener Meet in Spartanburg, SC. There they beat 3A powerhouse TC Roberson for the first time. From that point on, they truly ran well. I asked Coach Serefine if this is somewhat a reward.
"This could be one of those "once in a lifetime opportunities" that you hear about. This is just great competition. Going to Oregon is almost like going to the 'holy ground' of the sport of cross country . . . to see where Pre ran is something that most runners would love to be able to do!"
He is right about that. I think going to Hayward Field is something we would all like to do. Thank goodness Ken Charnock, Joseph Newman's step-father, is going so we can all sort of live the experience through pictures upon their return.
Mooresville's goal: As said before, "Out goal is to out there and have fun, but to also represent the state of North Carolina. There are just over 30 teams entered in the boys' race and there are plenty of great teams in the field. We have looked into some of teams, but we can't find information on every one of them. We would like to finish somewhere around the middle of the field or better though. That is our goal as of now; it's tough because we don't know all of our competition. I know the guys will give it their best though."
Again, good luck to Mooresville's boys! Enjoy the experience, represent North Carolina, and run well.
Chapel Hill's boy's team isn't the only team traveling to Portland this year. This year's Nike Team Nationals has introduced a brand new race to its format. Nike announced earlier in the XC season that it would also be hosting an "open" race. This race would be based on a first come first serve basis to the first 30 teams. The big difference, these teams must pay their way.
Mooresville's boys, who won this year's 3A state title after finishing 5th in 2005 will be making the long trip across the country to compete as well. This has been a very special season for Mooresville, so what a great way to end it.
"Patrick (Campbell) and Joseph (Newman) told me about it when Dyestat first made the announcement. I signed us up that night after being persuaded by some parents that were very supportive. I didn't tell the guys that we got in though until the end of September. They were a bit surprised about it . . . , " said Coach Michael Serefine.