Welcome to Kaneland Cross Country!

The purpose of this blog site is to allow full access to the team, practices, history, and future events. Please check back with this blog throughout the summer and fall for new updates on the team. Feel free to share it with friends and family who follow the program!

Saturday, October 29, 2011

ON TO STATE!!!

Boys and Girls Teams Qualify for State Finals!


WOW.  What a run. What a race.  What a season.


I'd like to meet with parents on Sunday, Oct. 30th at 3:00pm in the old Fisherman's Inn parking lot (closest to Rt. 47 intersection) to talk about some things that I need you to know.  Please let other parents from our team know.


We will only have about a 20 minute meeting, but there are some things that I need to cover so that all are on the same page for Saturday's historic run in Peoria.


I will update the blog with directions and such for families.  Please ask your runner if they've received any important (additional) papers from coaches during the week.


Right now, we plan to leave KHS on Friday between 10 and 11 am.  More specifics will be shared at the meeting on Sunday.  As always, please email if you have questions.


Way to go, Boys and Girls!  So proud of all of you.

Sectional Directions and Info

BUS TIME IS 7:00 AM!  Leaves at 7:15.

Belvidere HS is hosting our Sectional this weekend.  The girls race is at 10, and the boys run at 11, just like last weekend.  There will be an unofficial open for our boys to run the course, if they would like.  It will start at roughly 11:35.

Directions:  You can take 47 North to the 4 way stop in Starks that you'd turn LEFT at, to get to the Marengo Truck Stop, and entrance to I-90 WEST.  Take I-90 WEST to Genoa Road Exit and turn right so you are heading North on Genoa Road.  (wait... for further instructions...)

You can also head west on IL 64 to IL 23 in Sycamore (Turn right, heading North) at the courthouse.  Stay on IL 23 until it ends at the stoplight/McDonald's in Genoa, and then turn LEFT.  This should be 72.  Only on this road about 90 seconds or so, to travel through Genoa.  There's a Dollar General Store on your right, you will take the RIGHT HAND ANGLED TURN ONTO GENOA ROAD (which has another name like W. Main Street.???).  Stay on Genoa Road through farm country for more than 10 miles.  When you cross over I-90... you're getting close.

Further Instructions:  Option A:  After I 90, you will see a stoplight or two ahead.  You will want to get into the left hand turn lane at GRANT HIGHWAY.  (This is Rt. 20 west, but it's labeled as Grant Highway).  Turn LEFT onto GRANT Highway and go 1/4 mile to next stoplight (East Street?).  Do you see the high school on your right?   Turn Right at this first stoplight and head north to the high school property.  Parking is $5 per carload.

Option B:  Don't turn left onto Grant.  Take the NEXT left hand turn when staying on Genoa Road, where you should see a big red school building on your left.  The front of the middle school where we have our team camp is on this street, and if you're not afraid of a little longer walk, you might get out of paying the $5 for parking.

If you get lost, call Coach Clarey's cell or Coach Baron's.

Top 5 teams advance.  Go Knights!

Monday, October 17, 2011

Sterling JV Meet Directions

Tuesday's meet in Sterling starts with a Freshmen Race at 4:30pm.  Following this race, there will be a JV Open for sophs to seniors.  Awards will follow, and then we will stop for food on the way home.

Directions:  Take I 88 West to IL 26 in Dixon.  Turn right when coming off the exit ramp.  Take 26 through town, and over the river.  Immediately after the river, there is a McDonald's on the left, TURN LEFT AT MC DONALDS.  You will be on IL 2, heading west.  Stay on IL 2 for about 11 miles.  When coming into Sterling's west edge of town, you will pass many restaurants.  When you get to McDonald's, you will see Woodlawn Road.  TURN LEFT AT MC DONALDS AGAIN!  You will be on Woodlawn Road for about a mile.  The Woodlawn Arts Center will be on your right (looks like an old elementary school).  The course is immediately behind this Arts Center.

Friday, October 14, 2011

Regional Meet Helpers

Please remember that there will be a mandatory meeting for families wanting to work and park at the meet.  We will meet on Friday afternoon at 4pm.  We will go over the various jobs that need to be covered, including t-shirt sales, awards help, and course marshals.  We want to cover these roles, answer all questions, and prepare the finishing touches on the course.

Anyone available to come earlier than 4 should bring rakes and leaf blowers to take care of the leaves and nuts on the course.  The boys will be finished with their brief workout, and are knowledgeable of what needs to be done.  Having the tools would be great!

Hope you can join us. 

Those families who are not able to make the meeting, are still invited to park at the Markuson's house on Saturday.  They are the fifth driveway on the right hand side of Saddlewood Drive.  They request that you come up their long driveway and park in the grass.  No parking on the street, please.

Conference Meet on Saturday

Reminder that we are heading to Geneseo for the Conference Championships this weekend.  Trip could take close to 2 hours to get there, so plan ahead.  Girls Varsity Race is first, at 10am.  Boys Varsity runs at 10:45, FS Boys run at noon, and Open Boys race at 1:15.  We will stop for food on the way home.

Directions:  I 88 West to Joplin Exit on Route 92.  Go left, or east.  Turn right (heading south) at Route 82, towards Geneseo.  Proceed through town until you come to Route 6, and turn right (heading west).  Go across the small bridge and turn left on Stewart Street.  (Go straight up the hill).  At the stop sign, turn right and park.

Course is at Richmond Hill Park

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Byron Directions

Driving Directions to Byron:

Take 88 West to Interstate 39/51 North.

Exit 39/51 North at the ILLINOIS 72 exit, and turn right, heading WEST.

Stay on IL 72 all the way to Byron.  You will arrive at a 4 way stop sign where you will see the nuclear reactors, and you could turn right to cross a bridge and enter town.  DON'T TURN, GO STRAIGHT!

Stay on 72 for about 400 more meters, and then look for an entrance to the Byron Forest Preserve on your LEFT.  Enter the park and take the road all the way up the hill and to the back of the park.  We will be by the pavillion.

Boys Varsity race is at 4:50.  Boys Open will be at 5:20.  We will stay for dinner following the race.  Coaches are providing sandwiches and drinks.  Boys are to bring chips and/or a dessert.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Kuipers To Host Pasta Party on Oct. 14

Dylan Kuipers, and his family, would like to host the team for a pasta party on Friday, October 14th.  Details:

Where:  600 Maple Ave, Elburn
When:  6:00pm on Friday, October 14
Contact Info/RSVP:  Shanne Kuipers  630-770-3402
Email:  digum@sbsglobal.net

Please make every effort to join this team event, carb load, and have a good time ahead of Conference!

Monday, September 19, 2011

ACC Charger Classic is this weekend!

You can google the address for the Oakhurst Forest Preserve, which is in the south east portions of Aurora.  The address is:  1675 5th Avenue, Aurora, IL

Our first race of the day will be a top 7 race for Frosh Soph boys at 9:30.  Our next run will be for the Top 7 Varsity Boys at 10:30, and finally an 11:00 Open race that is Coed.  Awards are starting at 11:30.  Since it's homecoming weekend, it'll be a good day to bring your child home with you after the race.  Just sign out in the team camp.  Runners going with another FAMILY, must bring a note from their parents.  There will be no cell phone calls, asking for permission.

It is important to note that there is a $5 charge for parking at this meet.  Our bus will depart and come back at noon.  Parking is at Oakhurst, and also across the street at St. Athanasios Church.

As always, there will be a sheet coming home with your athlete on Friday, detailing which race he will run, as well as directions, race times, awards, and all that you need to know.  The bus will NOT STOP on the way home, for lunch.  Plan accordingly.

Eddington Invitational a Huge Success!

Thank you families for your tremendous outpouring of support for the team and coaches, by lending a hand at the Larry Eddington Invitational last Saturday.  We had a beautiful day with six great races, many surprises, plenty of awards, and 20 Personal Records (PRs).

As coaches, we rely (perhaps too heavily) on our parents to help us pull off this major undertaking.  We are thankful to the boosters for helping us with the chip timing of the meet, as well as their covering the concessions this year.  We understand that they had a very successful day, with the trailer, and we're happy about that.  Our boosters have done a ton for us in the past 2 seasons, and to help them get one extra date on the calendar for concessions is a plus.

It's wonderful how our KXC Family continues to pull together and make great things happen.  Thank you to the Pollastrini's for getting us a camera for the video review at the finish line.  And also, special thanks to Mr. Brundige and Mr. Peterson for coming on Friday, to help rake acorns off the course.

When we host Regionals in October, we're going to have a limited number of parking places available for parents, and there will be a meeting on Friday to cover the roles and responsibilities necessary to ensure a flawless meet.  It's our hope that without being rushed to get everything covered in a few minutes before race time, a meeting like this can help all responsible parties have the chance to ask questions and feel comfortable with the jobs they choose.  As coaches, we take the blame in minor miscues, and we will work to make sure everyone feels secure with the plans for that important day. 

Thank you, parents, for your unending support, love and commitment to our program.  You are big shareholders in our season.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Peoria Picnic Moved to Henry

On Saturday, following our race in Peoria, we will pack up the team camp and head back up river to Henry, Illinois.  This has been a historic stop for our teams that head down to the IHSA State Finals, in recent years.  When you are on your way to Peoria on Saturday, coming down Interstate 39/51 South, you should exit at IL 18 and head west toward Henry.  Upon crossing the large bridge over  the Illinois River, look down to your right... this is where we're setting up for the picnic.  The immediate street at the base of the bridge is where you'd turn to get to this boat launch.  (So remember that, coming home from the race!)

We anticipate the team arriving at the Henry boat launch area around 12:30pm.  In the past, there's typically only one or two picnic tables at the most.  If you're able to bring camp chairs, portable tables or card tables, we can set up the food on those.

Juniors and Seniors have been asked to bring main dishes to pass.  The Brundige Family and Peterson Family are working on potentially getting some meat from Ream's Market to grill.  Feel free to contact Jenn Brundige or Donna Peterson for more details.

Sophomores and Freshmen are being asked to share a salad or dessert.  Please bring your own beverages.  The coaching staff will provide plates, napkins and plastic ware.

If you have any questions, please contact Coach Clarey via email or cell.
chad.clarey@bps101.net
630-728-0078

IHSA Awards Kaneland the Chance to Host Regionals at Elburn Woods

The IHSA is finalizing their plans for this fall's State Series.  There are already two things that we can count on.  First, that on Saturday, October 22nd, our boys and girls teams will be running at home on the Elburn Woods course.  Likely, the start times will be 10am for girls, and 11am for boys.  This will mirror the times of our races the following week, up at Belvidere High School for the Sectional.

The top 7 teams at this year's Regionals will advance to Sectionals.  The top 5 teams from the 21 team Sectional will advance to State.

We are thankful for the chance to have one more race on our home course.  The IHSA is scheduled to submit assignments for Regionals and Sectionals on September 16th.  We are all anxiously awaiting to see who will be coming to the Woods!

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Visit to Marklund a Hit!

On Tuesday, August 16th, the boys and girls cross country teams went on a volunteer trip to Marklund Home in Geneva, to spend time with the wheelchair-bound clients that live at the facility.  After a brief tour, the team caught up with more than 30 residents and played baseball on their state of the art home field, as well as took walks along a path in the neighborhood.  The teammates were exceptionally patient and supportive of their new friends.  This experience was a glowing reminder of how blessed we are, and how thankful we should be for all we have.

Order your Kaneland XC Gear at Haydens.Com!

Our team spirit wear sale is going on now through August 31st.  Don't forget to pick up your team t-shirts, sweats, shorts, and perhaps a Varsity jersey!  Log on to haydens.com and use Sale Code: ATXXQ to see the items up for purchase.  There's something for everyone, made very easy by purchasing online.  Forward this to your family and relatives, in case they are interested as well.  Grandparents love to support their grandchildren!  If you have questions, please contact Coach Clarey.  Once the sales on the website conclude on Sept. 1, we will have our items back by mid to late September.

Marklund Donations Due on Friday

We need to have our Marklund Donations collected this week.  Please make an effort to contact family, friends and neighbors for contributions to our cause.  Remember that half of our monies will be donated to the Marklund Home, to further support their efforts to build a swing set for their disabled adult clients.  The other portion of these funds will be used to purchase new varsity jerseys.  Not many of you have connected on this yet...  Please bring the donations by Friday, and next Monday, 8/29, at the latest.  Thank you!

WEATHER UPDATE - Practice is ON at Johnson's Mound, 3:15pm

We can hear the thunder, but this latest round of storms is going to be short lived, according to radar.  We will meet at Johnson's Mound at 3:15, start our 20 minute warm up, and see how it unfolds.  Coach Baron will be there to start things up, and Coach Clarey will arrive at 3:45.  If bad weather, lightning, arise, we will get in cars.  Keep cell phones nearby, in case we need to end early.  Should be good by 3pm.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Welcome to the Parent Meeting!

Parents, we welcome you to our team blog site.  This is the place where you can find news, events, results, and most information about your new team!  There will be another web page attached to the kaneland.org web site soon.  However, this is the official blog page that Coach Clarey and Coach Baron use to communicate directly with you and the boys.  Feel free to share it with relatives.  It's not an easy site to find by googling or using a search engine.

So remember... kanelandxc.blogspot.com

Bookmark it and use it weekly.

Awesome August

We've started the year off with a terrific campout at Silver Springs, as well as a trip to Chicago.  Lots of miles, and plenty of smiles.  These have been great days, developing new friendships and adding to our base. 

Friday, July 29, 2011

Thank you, IHSA! A 5th Sectional is Added!!

The IHSA has determined that equality will reign in the coming fall for all Classes competing in the IHSA State Series. 

Assignments for the IHSA Regionals and Sectionals will come in September.  Until then, we are left to wonder where we will head for a Regional that feeds into an extra Sectional.  This fall, for the first time, there will be 3 Regionals that feed into one Sectional.  You must finish in the top 7 teams at the Regional, to advance as a team to the Sectional.  At the Sectional, you must finish among the top 5 teams, in order to advance to Peoria for the Class 2A State Finals on the first Saturday of November.  Our road will be a tough one, because we still reside in the most talented area of Illinois for cross country programs.  Only the IHSA knows where they are going to spread out the talent for this year's Sectional complexes.  But our opportunity is there, and we need to work very hard in order to put ourselves in a position to be able to advance.

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Reminders!

1.  All physicals need to be taken care of by Aug. 10th.  No one runs with the team if their physical is not completed.
2.   The Corn Boil 5K in Sugar Grove will be held on Saturday, July 30th.  Be there early enough to get registered, and warm up with teammates, if you intend to run.
3.  Information about the campout will be coming home soon, via the mail.  The cost for the campout will be $20.
4.  We are planning a trip to Chicago on Monday, August 15th.  We will ride the train in, early in the morning, have breakfast, see Millenium Park, and ride the train home.  More details forthcoming, in the mail.  Cost of this trip will be around $20, athletes covering their tickets and breakfast.


As always, if you have questions, please contact your coaches.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Johnson's and Albano's Host Next Breakfast Run on Aug. 6th

Thank you Brundige Family for hosting the most recent Breakfast Run.  Pancakes on the Grill?  Kids are still raving about them.  Perhaps we can get some more of that great cookin' on the campout?


Next up!  The Johnson and Albano Families are hosting a breakfast run on Saturday, August 6th, from 7:00 to 9:30am.  Boys and girls should report to the Johnson's home (711 Highview Court, Elburn).


This is by far the most breakfast runs we've ever had.  The Kuiper's had a nice turn out on July 7, and the next weekend the Meisenger's, Messina's, and Paulson's put out a spread for about 20 runners!  What a great way for this team to continue to bond and work at developing base mileage together.  Thank you, families for hosting.  AND THANK YOU ATHLETES FOR CONTINUING TO SUPPORT AND TRAIN WITH ONE ANOTHER!  It's going to add up to a great fall.  Believe it!

Friday, July 15, 2011

Friends of Hiawatha 4k road race

Congratulations to Nathaniel Kucera, Kaneland Sophomore, who won the 2nd Annual Friends of Hiawatha 4K Road Race!  Not bad for his first race off the track.  Coach Baron said this was an impressive victory, where he dusted the competition by nearly 2 minutes.  Let's get the team up to Kirkland next summer, to run this.  Way to go, Chin!

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Breakfast Run at Kuiper's a Success!

Joe Kuipers, and family, hosted the first Breakfast Run of the summer.  Here are some pictures from the morning run, and dip.

Friday, July 8, 2011

Block 1 is Done

Sunday, July 10 was our last day for recording miles in Block 1 of our summer training.  Please total up you mileage from running, swimming, and biking since June 13th.  Please share this amount with coaches ASAP.  There are many runners who have not yet give a total for mileage so far.  It's important for you, and the coaches, to know where you are currently in your training, so that necessary adjustments can be made if needed.  Compare your total to your goal, to see if you are on pace.  Heading into Block 2, in most cases, you are only increasing your daily mileage by a mile.  Remember to use the bike or pool, in order to supplement your mileage.  4 miles of running to 1 "mile" of swimming or biking is the ratio we like to use.  If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact your coaches.

Monday, June 27, 2011

Tuesday biking

The boys are meeting tomorrow at 7:00 a.m. for a bike ride at Hannford farms forest perserve. This is an optional practie. No coaches will be present. Hannford Farms is off of  Merrill road. on the south side about 1.5 miles east of 47.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Construction at Waubonsee

Reminder: Construction has started at the college. Monday please park in the remote parking on the south end. Coach Baron and Ecker will be there.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Dick Pond Athletic running seminars

Every Tuesday this summer Dick Pond is having an informational semminar.
They start at 6:30pm. This week they have a rep from New Balance who will analysis your running form. They will then tell what type of shoes are best for you and what kinds of exercises will help you. If you are interested in going please let coach Baron know.
They need to know by monday morning for this special event.

Monday, June 20, 2011

August Team Campout Approaches

Each year, the boys team goes on a campout to further develop team unity and continue our training.  This August (11 and 12th) we will head back to Silver Springs State Park in Yorkville for our trip.  Current plans are to carpool down to Yorkville on the 11th, meeting at KHS at 9:00am.  We will return to Kaneland on Friday, the 12th, at 2:00pm.  Anyone willing to drive down or back home, should contact Coach Clarey at chad.clarey@bps101.net or at  kanelandxc@gmail.com

A New Charger Challenge For Us

This fall, we have altered the schedule so that we can take the team to a different meet on Saturday, September 24th.  The boys team will be competing in the Charger Classic, hosted by Aurora Central Catholic.  This meet is held at the Oakhurst Forest Preserve in Aurora.  The meet is scheduled to start at 9:00am, and when we know more specifics they will be shared with the team.  The girls team will head to the Rock River Run in Sterling on this date.