So this past Friday my wife and I, along with a few of our coaches, went to Lombard to pick up this plaque. It's been two months since we won State, and I'm still overwhelmed with gratitude and joy in what we were able to accomplish. It's been a month since our Awards Night, and getting the chance to celebrate the achievements of ALL our boys who share in this dream season and championship. My sentiments have come full circle, and I wanted to share a few quick things with you all as this 2019 season finally comes to a full close.
With regard to the incredible support that our coaches and immediate families have received this season, we are speechless. Thank you for the care, love, and support (physical, emotional, financial, and verbal) you've provided this year, and many others. It's easy for many to be flying high after such a memorable and successful season. However, we realize that not every year is like this one, and we still receive equal help from our KXC Families. We are so grateful for all that you've helped provide your boys, their teammates, and the staff. We are incredibly blessed.
On a personal note, I would like to thank you all for the tremendous surprise that was put together over the course of the year with the shirts for Awards Night, the patience in its rescheduling, and the way that you were able to implement it on December 11th. I'm a big "no thank you" for anything that includes the spotlight shining my way. I was good with all that you did on that night, and am most appreciative of the efforts put forth to BUILD such an experience. Special shout out to Sal Occhipinti, Michelle Brazee, Ralph Drendel, Nicole Larsen, and anyone else who had a hand in the process of collecting 265 names and supplying the masses with the shirts. It was such a meaningful gesture, and knowing that those 265 names were with us at the last meets of the season made it even more so.
On Friday night, when I went to the ITCCCA Awards, I wore the shirt you all gave me because it has been completely obvious for more than a few years that all our recent success was forged on the miles, experiences, hot summer days, and cold snowy winters of all 265 runners. The many coaches, parents, administrators, and athletes have shares in such awards received.
Your coaches are real people. They are imperfect individuals that strive for the best for each and every boy on the team. While we strive to pull excellence out of our boys, we have equally high standards for ourselves. Not everything was perfect this season. We ALL were met with different adversities. On behalf of my coaching brothers, we sincerely thank you for your patience, your understanding, your flexibility, your efforts to help your sons, and ultimately to do so many different things to make this season epic.
I believe that God puts special people in special places, to do special things. Thank you all for being a huge part of such a tremendous year. If you're still up for celebrating, we are meeting up as one big (current and former) KXC Family on January 31st at 5:30pm, at Schmidt's in Elburn. Please come join us if it fits your schedule. This would be more of a grown up function, but I'll surely see your sons for some conditioning that afternoon.
Thank you for everything. We are truly blessed, at Kaneland.
Yours in running,
Coach Clarey
