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!

Monday, November 12, 2012

Equipment Drop Off Ahead of Awards on 11/14

All cross country runners who still have equipment checked out should prepare to bring it with them to Awards Night, on Wednesday.  We are planning to meet and check in items at 6:00, which is 30 minutes ahead of our scheduled time to start awards at 6:30.

Athletes should bring:  black jersey from the start of the season, their black meet shorts, grey warm up top, checkerboard jersey that was checked out to them, and (State Series Team members...) the State Series bag, shorts, sweats and jerseys.

Looking forward to wrapping this up with you on Wednesday!  DO NOT FORGET!

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Parent Meeting On Friday, 10/19 @ Woods. 4PM!

KXC Families are encouraged, if able, to join the team at the Woods on Friday to put the finishing touches on the course for our Saturday Regional.  Additionally, we will be setting up our jobs for the day on Saturday.  Please bring rakes when you come, so we can remove the acorns from the finish area.

REMINDER!  The KXC FAMILIES ARE WORKING THE BOOSTER BARN!  All KXC Families are encouraged to join the boosters in the barn on Friday for our turn at helping the program raise funds for our programs.  If you have not already signed up for a slot, please contact Robert or Kelsey Johnson at 630-853-2830 or 630-853-2831.  Thanks!

Frosh Soph Boys NIB XII Conference Champions

This talented group of underclassmen unseated Yorkville as champions of the division, by packing up with a 60 second split (1-5).  Our Varsity pack split (0:44 for 1-5, 0:54 for 1-7) as well as the Open team (0:29 split 1-5) was the first day, probably in the history of our program, where we raced to three 1 minute (or less!) pack splits.  Very, very impressive.

Big Day in Byron


The depth of our team shined when we raced to the team title in Byron.  We defeated the #7 (Class 1A) Byron Tigers on their home turf, in this uniquely formatted race of flighting.  Great memories for this team that ranks highest in our program's history for depth.

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Parent Drivers Needed for Columbus Day Practice in Belvidere

We are looking for parent chaperone/drivers for Monday's practice in Belvidere.  We are traveling up north on this day, to give all our runners a chance to see the Sectional course and run a fast paced workout.  We'll have a short breakfast following the run.  Any parents who are able to drive up should contact Coach Clarey via email:  chad.clarey@gmail.com

Thanks!

Pretzels and "Cheese!"

For the fifth season in a row, our Knights won the Freeport Pretzel Invitational.  Capped by an individual title by Kyle Carter, a 3rd place pretzel winning effort from Conor Johnson, and a pack split 1-7 which included Meisenger (6th), Bower (9th), Acosta (12th), Huber (14th) and Kucera (15th) we were at a season's best 1:03 between them all!  Our FS team also earned a team title!  Next up, we head to Byron for a flighted meet on Wednesday afternoon.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Charger Classic is Saturday

We will be heading to the famous Oakhurst Forest Preserve for one of the fastest courses of the season.

Bus time is 6:30, with the team leaving at 6:45.  Boys Frosh Soph run at 9:30, Varsity at 10:30 and the Open at 11:00.  Awards will take FOREVER... so if you want to sign your athlete out, please do so.  We won't be stopping on the way home.  So pack a lunch, if you're riding the bus.

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Parent Volunteer Help Needed

Any parents who are available to come help rake nuts off the course on Friday at 4pm, are encouraged to bring grass rakes and meet at the pavillion.

On Saturday, any parents who are not already on the volunteer pass list may park at the Markuson home, on Saddlewood Drive.  Please enter their driveway, the 5th on the right, and park in their yard.  Do not worry about the grass (according to Melanie).  You can walk over to the Woods from there.

Volunteers who are already on the pass list should enter the Woods by 8:40am.  No one will be allowed down after 8:45am.  We will meet in the chute at 8:45 to delegate responsibilities.

As always, thank you for your continued help and support!

Knights Race to 3rd in 2A Race at Peoria

The team took their business trip in Peoria very seriously, and wound up bringing home some dazzling hardware.  For the first time since 2007, the team celebrated a top 5 finish by placing 3rd in the 2A division.  This sets the tone for a very special season.  Kyle Carter raced to a 10th place finish, and established a new school record of 15:23 on the Detweiller Park course.  His teammates sealed the deal with a 56 second pack split (1-5), and with 26 other course or career PRs.  Very special day, followed by a tremendous picnic in Henry, IL.  Special shout out to our Senior class families who worked together to coordinate our grilled lunch.  Thanks to all who came and shared something for the feast.  This is our trophy that became the centerpiece for the table.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Pasta Parties Coming Soon! 9/7, 9/14, 9/21!

We are getting a big response for pasta parties!

On Friday, September 7, Brayden Miller's family will host our first event of the season.  Please join them at 120 Cobbler Lane in Sugar Grove for a delicious pasta dinner, ahead of our Peoria Invitational.

On Friday, September 14th, the Messina Family will team up with others to host another pasta event for the team.  This is ahead of our home meet, the Larry Eddington Invitational.

And on Friday, September 21st, Aaron French's family will host our team for an all important carb loading feast, on the eve of our date at Aurora Central Catholic's Charger Classic.

Boys, your social calendar is filling up.  And so will your stomachs!

KXC Baggo Tourney a Complete Success!

On Sunday, August 26th, the KXC Families and Team put on a Baggo tournament to raise money for new meet warm ups, as well as to raise some money for our friends at Marklund Home.  After all the week's fund raising, we were able to raise $2500, between the Booster's Dodge Drive-a-Thon Event, our sponsorships, donations, and participation in the adult and high school divisions.



Pictures posted are of the winners, but the real winners are the team, and our biggest fans at Marklund.  Thank you, ALL, for participating!

Sunday, August 19, 2012

October 19 - KXC Parents Work the Booster Barn... Info Here!

We would like to have EVERY KXC FAMILY represented in the Booster Barn on Friday, October 19th.  Please contact Robert Johnson, to reserve your time for the game.  Email your family name, KXC athlete's name, and your cell phone number to Robert Johnson.  His email is robertjohnson@mchsi.com

Strong representation is necessary for our program.  Please take 90 minutes out of your busy schedule, on a Friday night, to give back to an organization that gives so much to our program.  THANK YOU!

Baggo Tournament This Coming Sunday! Sign Up NOW!

Our first annual Baggo Tournament (going to be played on cornhole, 4 foot boards!) will be held this coming Sunday, August 26th, at Kaneland's Harter Middle School.  A high school and under division will begin at noon, with teams entering to play at a low cost of just $20 per team.  Each winning team member will take home a set of these handcrafted boards and bags!  The adult division will begin at 3pm, paying $40 per team, and the champions will split $250!  There will be prizes awarded for second and third place, also.  Please email your team name, and two members, to kanelandxc@gmail.com.  Registrants can pay upon arrival.  The middle school cross country team will have refreshments for sale that day, as well.  Proceeds from this event will help the team purchase new meet warm up tops.

KXC Campout a Great Success

Special thanks to Robert Johnson and Mike Pollastrini, for buying and grilling our supper at the annual campout.  Silver Springs was unseasonably NICE for a change!  Drenched only once, the team found time to complete our four separate runs totaling 20 miles for varsity, played softball and ultimate frisbee.  (oh, and the coaches won the baggo tourney!)

Monday, August 13, 2012

Chicago Trip Update

I'm disappointed to share that we will not be heading to the city today.  For those of you reading the blog this morning, I've been struggling heavily with this decision.  Radar shows that there is consistent precipitation in the area, and slowly moving in the direction of where we are to head this morning.  Without a specific place to shelter our 20+ backpacks from the elements, the fact that I needed to get a mom to cover for absent coaches (both had prior commitments), and the diverse needs of our team heading into the big city of CHICAGO, I've decided to pull the plug on the trip in. Supervision and safety are paramount on a trip like this, and given what I'm up against as a coach, I need to make this call.  (hard as it is, because I loved the trip a year ago) 

Our Plan B rests on meeting in the parking lot of the train station.  I'm still heading over there soon, because not everyone will know to look at the blog today.  We will run our workout, play Ultimate Frisbee in Elburn, and go have breakfast at Papa G's or the Country Kettle.  I estimate our morning workout, and all that comes after it to be complete at around 9am. 

My apologies for the disappointment.  We'll make it a great day, regardless.

Thursday, August 9, 2012

BAGGO TEAMS NEEDED!

If you are ready to sign up for a slot in our first ever Kaneland XC Baggo Tournament, please do so by emailing your team name, and two players' names, to kanelandxc@gmail.com .  We are now taking entries via email, and your payment of $40 for the adult division, and $20 for the HS and under division can be made on the day of the tournament.  Please start spreading the word about this fund raising effort to secure new meet warm ups for the team this year.

Campout CURRENTLY on as Scheduled...

Keeping an eye on the skies all day, it looks at this point like we can start packing the cars to go down to Silver Springs.  We will meet in the area where the bus picks us up for away meets.  Those who live in Sugar Grove can meet at the BP gas station around 9:25.  We can caravan through and meet you there.

In the event that we need to break camp due to storms, prior to 5:00, we will be served dinner by Mr. Johnson and Mr. Pollastrini (among others) up at Kaneland High School.  There, we will also complete our team baggo competition.  (This is not THE baggo tournament that people should be signing up for...)

Check in on this blog, and also watch for messages from texts today, so that you are up to date on our plans.  STUDENTS MAY DRIVE down this year, if that helps some of you.  It can help us leave in a more timely manner, should storms roll through.  Given the power of some recent storms, we are not taking any chances.  We can accomplish all that we need to, through the runs and activities, without the overnight, if necessary.

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Baggo Boards Under Construction!

Started building the baggo boards for our first KXC Baggo Tournament, to be held on Sunday, August 26th at Harter Middle School.  Clear your schedules now, so that you are available to play and help out.  More information on this event will be posted soon, but here are a few.

There will be a Youth Division of the tournament in which teams of 2, (high school and under) will play a double elimination bracket with the winners taking home these brand new baggo boards and bags.  This portion of the tournament will begin at 12:30pm.

Our Adult Division (out of HS, and older) will start at 3:00.  Again, a double elimination bracket system will end with the winning team taking home $250 to share.  There will also be cash prizes for 2nd and 3rd place.

We will begin signing up any teams who wish to play by having them email TEAM NAME, 2 players, and the division they will compete in, to kanelandxc@gmail.com.


Youth Division team entry fee is $20, and Adult Division entry fee is $40.  Checks payable to Kaneland High School, with KXC Baggo in the memo line.

Friday, July 6, 2012

New Breakfast Run Added! July 14th @ the Spaetzel's

Sean Spaetzel's family is teaming up with the Messina's and others, to host a Saturday Breakfast Run this coming weekend, on July 14th.  All boys and girls who are interested should plan to arrive at 7:30am for the run.  Breakfast and swimming will follow the run, so BRING YOUR SUITS and TOWELS.

Details:
Sean Spaetzel's House:  613 Hickory St.  Sugar Grove, 60554
Contact phone number:  630-466-5388

Run at 7:30, breakfast and swimming follow

Dick Pond ShoeMobile Coming to 7/12 Camp Session

Dick Pond Athletics has been one of the greatest local supporters of high school running.  Glen Kamps, manager of the store chain, will be bringing out his ShoeMobile on Thursday, July 12th, when we run at Anderson Park (just west of Wasco).

Glen will bring out Gatorade for the team, following the workout, and he will also provide a "show and tell" experience on good running shoes and equipment.  Since he's bringing the ShoeMobile, there is quite likely the chance that runners could pick up an extra pair of shoes, socks, or other running products, if needed.  Athletes can bring a check, cash, a credit card or gift card to purchase.  The purpose of Glen's visit isn't as much to make a sale, as it is to treat the kids to a cold Gatorade, teach them a little bit about their running equipment, and make it a fun experience.

This is a simple "heads up" that he's coming, and that all campers should make every effort to join us. 

Directions:  Route 47 North to Rt. 38 EAST (toward St. Charles).  Turn LEFT on Anderson Road (about a mile after 47/38 intersection), and take Anderson to Rt. 64.  Turn right on Rt. 64, and travel east for about 2 miles or so.  Brown Road will be a left hand turn.  On Brown Road, you will find Anderson Park's baseball fields on the left hand side of the road.  We will arrive at 6:20am, and should be finished around 8:20 or so.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

3 Saturday Breakfast Runs Scheduled!

The first Saturday Breakfast Run is set for this week (on June 30th), at John Meisenger's house.  Please join John for a morning run at 8:00am, followed by breakfast provided by his family.  The Meisenger Family can be found in Sugar Grove, at 708 Stonehill Court.  Phone contact information includes the family home number: 630-466-5020, and John's cell is 630-301-9051, should families have any further questions.

Remember that the Johnson and Albano Families are hosting a Saturday Breakfast Run on July 21st, in Elburn.  And Joe and Will Kuipers will host a run on Saturday, July 28th at 7:00am.  You can find the Kuipers at 1N318 Watson Road, in Maple Park (which is about 2 miles or less from KHS).

Our summer runners are encouraged to join their teammates and fellow campers on these days, to continue to build their base, work toward team cohesion, and put some carbs back in the tank after a strong week of training.  This is one more way that our families continue to promote, support, and enjoy being part of the Kaneland Cross Country Community.  Thank you VERY much!

Mondays at Waubonsee: PARKING CHANGE

We have been meeting in the south parking lot at Waubonsee Community College during the first three weeks of our summer conditioning camp.  Starting next week (7/2), we will park by the tennis courts.
The reason for this change is because we are going to try and take advantage of more open grass areas, near where we start and finish our runs, for more stretching, form work, core, and other activities.  Additionally, this move makes it easier for all of our runners to manage their workloads, with a few "close to home" loops where coaches can supervise things better.

Please look for the coaches, campers and cars by the tennis courts on the NORTH END OF CAMPUS, starting next Monday.  You can more easily access this area by using the north entrance to the Waubonsee campus, and staying left when driving through the roadways.  Our starting and ending times will remain the same, and reminder to all Varsity athletes, that we will be using the weight room at Harter Middle School on Mondays, following the run.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

BLOCK 1: June 11 to July 8

Our conditioning program is now in full swing, and we have been seeing upwards of 30-32 runners at each of the Monday, Wednesday, Thursday camp days.  Remember that we also run a track workout from 6:00-7:30am, on Fridays at KHS.  This week, Coach Baron will be back to work with our runners on this important speed work.


In Block 1, runners are beginning to slowly build up miles, and figuring out how to use the calendar to help them build a successful base for the fall seasons.  Keep in mind that each week, a runner should be writing in the total number of miles they run each day, and also include the important "soft miles" that they can add by biking or swimming for a sustained 15 minutes.  If they have questions about this, they should talk with a coach.  Remember that we encourage the use of the soft miles, but our expectation is that the total number of miles include NOT MORE than 20% of the "soft" variety.  80% of the total summer mileage needs to be miles run.


Block 1 lasts 4 weeks, ending on July 8.   Between now and July 8, our runners should be logging their miles, and paying attention to their totals each week.  If a runner is trying to earn a 400 miler shirt for the end of the summer training, he needs to amass 120 miles of running by July 8, in order to stay on schedule.  When Block 2 starts on July 9, there will begin a slight increase in weekly mileage so that the block goal of 135 miles can be met.  Older runners, with larger goals, will need to monitor their totals as well as how they are feeling physically, in order to ensure we are on the right track toward starting the season feeling GREAT, and not burnt out.  We cap summer miles for this very reason...

Saturday Breakfast Runs Scheduled

Our Saturday Breakfast Runs are already starting to get on the calendar.  Our first of the season will be on Saturday, June 30th, and is hosted by the Meisenger Family.  Details and an address are forthcoming.  Start time will be 8:00am.  This one will be close to home for the Sugar Grove runners, but is open to all.


Additionally, a breakfast run hosted by the Albano's and Johnson's is scheduled for Saturday, July 21st.  As this date approaches, more details will also be posted here.  Elburn area runners will enjoy the shorter drive, this time.


Breakfast runs are simply a run with teammates, followed by a breakfast spread provided by one or more families.  This is a great chance to meet the boys on the team, and get to know some of the faces you'll see a lot more of in the fall!  As always, the coaching staff thanks all who participate, and regret not being able to partake in the run and foods.  Should anyone care to sign up for a different date, please contact Coach Clarey.

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Summer Conditioning Starts June 11!

Our Summer Conditioning program begins on Monday, June 11th at Waubonsee Community College.  We will meet in the first parking lot on the right, when you enter at the south entrance.  We will meet at 6am, and conclude at 7:30.  Varsity runners who are able should report to the HS for weight conditioning.

Camp continues on Wednesday, June 13th, at the Lily Lake Bike Path.  Take Rt. 47 North to Rt. 38, and turn left.  The first right (Woosley Road) is 200 yards up the hill.  We will meet right at the bike path.  Pick up again will be at 7:30.

Thursday mornings, we vary our locations.  Runners can meet at KHS at 6am.  We will carpool to differing sites.  On June 14, we will head to Nelson Lake to run.  The parking lot we use is on Main Street, using the first driveway on the right, after the stoplight at Mill Creek Drive.

Further directions are available from the coaching staff.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Cross Country Team Meeting - Wednesday Morning

There will be an informational meeting for cross country, this Wednesday, May 23.  Please listen to school announcements for the location of the meeting.  Here, you will receive valuable information regarding the start of our summer camps.

We will begin camp on June 11th, at 6:00 am, at Waubonsee Community College.  You should register for camp, through the Athletic Director's office, some time before you finish the school year.

Additionally, our juniors and seniors are encouraged to come to our Kids Running Camp, which will be held on Monday and Wednesday evenings, at Harter Middle School, starting on the 11th as well.  That camp runs from 5 to 6pm.

A full calendar with dates, times and details will be passed out the first week.  Wednesday, the 13th, we will meet at the Lily Lake Bike Path.  Thursday's destination will be decided soon.

Best of luck to our Knights, still competing in the State Prelims on Friday with hopes of qualification to Finals on Saturday.

Coach C