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Upon arriving to Jefferson City, we checked into our hotel, rested up for about an hour, and changed into running clothes before heading to the course. When we made it to the course, the students jogged some of the course. For me personally, I felt the urge to run the course myself. I started off before they did, though they weren't too far behind me throughout. While waiting for them at the finish line, I was notified that they had aborted their course jog to help set up the team camp.
The day ended with pasta and pizza at Kate and Ally's. We ate outside because all the tables were either taken or reserved inside. It was a small restaurant and the food wasn't too bad. Then, the kids went for a relaxing swim in the hotel's heated indoor pool. Finally, it was off to bed. We would get to sleep in a little due to the noon start of the first Class 3 race for boys. Class 3 girls were scheduled for 1:05 in the afternoon.
In the morning, everyone ate breakfast and checked out of the hotel. We were on our way to the course for the races. This year would be different than last year when my wife was granted her wish of having the school mascot uniform to wear in support of the team. As it turned out, she was quite the attraction for adults, teens, and young kids alike. In fact, she may have been the most photographed mascot at State.
Noon was closing in. Christian began focusing on his race. The weather was perfect for bystanders, but a little warm for those racing. The high was supposed to be in the low 60's, but it made it up into the 70's and the heat was taking its toll on runners of races prior to the first Class 3 race.
Christian would be starting from box 13 near the center of the starting line. It had to be the best starting box for Excelsior Springs in recent memory. The starting gun was shot and the race was on. Christian knows it is important to jump out in front quickly in order not to get boxed in. At the first mile, he was in 15th place with a time of 5:02.95. This was a very good sign early on, because his first mile for the personal record time he ran at Conference was right at 5:00 and the Capital City race on this same course earlier in the season was 5:23.4. At the second mile, Christian fell back to 19th place, but his time of 10:30.03 was on pace to beat his personal record time. Also, one of the strategies was to accelerate between the flat terrain of the first and second miles before getting to the hills of the third mile. At the third mile marker which is situated near the beginning of an uphill slope towards the finish, he was in 16th place at 16:06.42. He passed one more runner before reaching the finish line placing him at 15th of 166 runners with a time of 16:42.50, a personal record! What a way to end a high school career! Not only was he All-State for finishing within the top 25, but he did it in fashion with his best time to date.
A half an hour later, Micaela and Dani were preparing for their race. Their starting box was number 13 which, coincidentally, was right next to the Smithville team's box. Former Tiger, Josie Wilkerson, now with Smithville was about to run her fourth and final State Championship race, too. Once the gun sounded, the girls were off. For Excelsior Springs, Dani was first to cross the first mile mark in 100th place at a time of 6:32.73. Micaela was not far behind. She was in 107th at 6:34.12. Now was the time to gain some speed. At the second mile, Micaela had moved up to 88th place at 13:25.60, only .6 seconds behind her season best time at Districts the previous week. Meanwhile, Dani had fallen back to 123rd place with a time of 13:59.25 and in noticeable pain. Her shins were not cooperating with her. She's has never been one to give up, though, so she continued the remainder of the race. By this time, there would be no way she could make up the time to reach her personal record. For the third mile, Micaela was in 77th at 20:47.09 and Dani was in 108th at 21:21.03. Both had moved up. Then, at the finish line, MIcaela placed 81st with her second fastest time of the season with 21:38.33. It was only 15 seconds slower than her personal record. Dani finished strong at 109th place with a time of 22:12.82. It wasn't her best race of the season, but it wasn't her slowest, either. I'm confident she'll be back.
Excelsior Springs had plenty of support with teammates, family, friends, and school staff. Activities Director, Joe Greim and Volleyball Coach Terri Irons were in the vast audience to see the Tigers cross the finish line. All of them were proud of all of the Tigers running today. It was a great way to cap off a successful season. It also showed a sparkle of hope for continuing State trips in the coming years with the young team that will most likely not have any seniors next year. But that's okay. We will find a way!