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The Forum:

What went into the cross-country season

To the Editor on Nov. 5:

It has been a heady season in the world of Watkins Glen Cross Country! WGXC Boys had a perfect meet record, three invitational championships, a divisional championship, an IAC championship and now, for the first time in school history, a Section IV Championship that has earned the team a trip to States. WGXC Girls, 2010 IAC Champions (also a 1st in school history) had a perfect meet record, a Newtown Battlefield Championship, 2nd place in the divison, 3rd in the IAC, and 4th in Section IV. The teams were terrific and the success has been phenomenal. The team dedicated the season to the memory of Debra Whiting, mother of teammate Brenton Whiting . This season will never be forgotten.

It is important to know what has gone into such a season. The hundreds of miles run, the devotion of every athlete, and the passion and sacrifices made are at the heart of our story. But there is more to tell and the story is about our community.

We began our season in the National Forest where we logged our big mileage on the ruggedly beautiful trails that gave us our base. We swam in Foster Pond, camped at the Blueberry Patch, staffed a support station for the Finger Lakes Fifty, and made the Interloken, Ravine, Backbone, and Cow Pasture trails our home. Hector was mighty good to us.

As school began, we shifted our base running to the Watkins Glen State Park where our home course stands out as one of the most beautiful and one of the most challenging in the IAC. The staff at the State Park is incredible to us, making sure we have everything we need and supporting our runners with superb hospitality. We ran the gorge, the South Slope, the campground loops and our beloved course -- hundreds of miles in the most glorious terrain. We hosted the IAC Division Meet where spectators were thrilled by the beauty and access of the course.

On to the Catharine Valley Trail, where our team zips out the back door of the school and is privy to the incredibly pristine trail where we get a bit of running on the flats or head to the south end for hill work. Or circle around the swamp on Rock Cabin for a super seven miler. No team has what we have. Hills, flats, rolling terrain, forests, the Finger Lakes Trail, the Catharine Valley Trail, the State Park Trails, and the Hector National Forest. Who wouldn't fall in love with running?

But how about the families? How about Matt and Chris's dad coming out on the trails with us and looking out for our safety? How about Brenton's dad running trails and camping? Taylor and Amelia's moms setting up tents? Casey's dad still looking out for us after Casey's graduation? How about the hundreds of pictures that Courtney ,Samantha, and Jon's folks have taken? The incredible gifts for the seniors from Sam's dad? How about all the amazing subs, sandwiches , chili, treats that Corey's, Courtney's, Nick's, Sam's, Jon's, and Josh's folks have made for us? How about all the camp, taco dinner, and team dinner supplies from all the parents? How about the way the parents love up their kids, believe in their ability, and trust in our team to make our way? I hold these families in my heart and thank them for the joy of coaching their children.

How about the Finger Lakes Running Club inviting the team to learn about trail running via the the Finger Lakes Fifty? Giving a scholarship to WGXC graduate Shannon Hazlitt? How about Coach Joe setting up the division course and rooting for our kids? How about Ian Golden from the Finger Lakes Running Company giving our kids the opportunity to help out at the CVT Half Marathonand donating $300 to the Club? How about the Wineglass Running Club giving us the opportunity to host an all-comers meet at our course? These folks have played a powerful role in our success.

And how about WGHS? Our team has had the incredible support of Principal Dave Warren, who is a champion for kids. The staff of WG echoes his support and pours on their professionalism, love, and generosity every day.

The WGXC Team has been a sensation and it is an honor to coach them. Congratulations to the athletes, the families, the school, and the community. You are, indeed, remarkable.

With deep gratitude,
Coach Marie Fitzsimmons