Week #11 - Middle School Cross Country Complete Their Season In Style!

Dave Levy, Athletic Director
Middle School Cross Country - Beginning their efforts in the heat of early August, the Middle School Cross Country team has put in an immense amount of training. They've run hills - both on and off campus. Additionally, the team has logged tons of miles, at a variety of paces, all around Tandem and through PVCC. And of course, the Badgers have also had quite the competitive journey. Twice, the Badgers have competed at a high level at Crozet Park. The team took on the hilly Monticello Mountain meet, competing with Peabody, our South Charlottesville neighbors. At Darden Towe, the Badgers competed with over 20 other teams. At Grymes, the Badgers came home with medals and ribbons. They wrapped up their season today with the first ever Middle School Tandem Two Mile - and defeated CCS on their home course!
 
Running an incredibly smart race, Robert allowed his competition from CCS to take the lead early. He settled into a competitive pace, encouraging CCS break the wind. Steady and smart, Robert did not react as the runners around him put in a sprint here and there - only to return to a slower pace. On the final lap, prior to the last hill, CCS tried to create some distance - and Robert responded. He sped up the hill, and as he made his way towards the finish, he opened that gap dramatically. Robert flew down that last hill and broke the tape in a time of 13:41 - earning first place overall and he also ran a FULL MINUTE faster than his time at Monticello - drawing the attention of our Varsity coaches! What a season for Robert!
The Badgers also had the first and second place female finishers - April (14:38) and Rowan (14:44) ran a MINUTE and a MINUTE AND HALF faster than they did at Monticello respectively. After seeing the results, Coach Jason immediately asked if April was a 7th Grader - wanting to know whether she could join the varsity team next season! (She can!) Both athletes pushed the pace - each delivering an impressive final kick!
 
Hot on their heels was Fletcher (14:48) - who dropped A FULL MINUTE off his time from the Monticello Mountain Meet early in the season - indicative of massive improvement - Fletcher should be proud! With consistent pacing, James (16:08) was able to hold off several CCS challengers! James, like many of his teammates, ran a FULL MINUTE faster than his time at Grymes!
 
Our next Badger pack included Clyde (16:30), Everett (16:57) and Eleanor (17:12). This trio ran much of the race together, breaking the wind for one another and making it difficult for CCS runners to pass. Distance running is always easier when you're working together! Eleanor dropped FIFTY SECONDS off of her Monticello Mountain time - what a performance!
 
You could barely make out the blur of speed around the final bend - later identified as lightning quick Cleo, who has had an excellent debut season. Her two mile time of 18:10 is very impressive on this tricky course! Daniel (18:56) also broke 19 minutes for two miles - a major accomplishment - FIFTY SECONDS FASTER than his time at Monticello back in September! 
 
Anya (19:44), Alden (21:13) and Willow (21:53) have improved dramatically this season! Cross Country running is challenging - and each of these athletes have pushed themselves in practice and have become the strongest versions of themselves! Alden's time is a FIVE MINUTE PR - what a journey this season my friend - Willow dropped THREE MINUTES off the time at Monticello. All three athletes took their running to a new level - it was also Anya's best race of the season - and she was so strong on the hills!
 
Emma (25:12) has been a tremendous leader for this team. Leading the warm ups, stretching routines and explaining each new course to her younger teammates, her impact and leadership have been enormous over the last few seasons. It was wonderful to see her teammates line up to cheer her on as she finished the race this afternoon!
 
Congratulations to all of our Middle School Cross Country Badgers on an amazing day - and a super special season!  We are all so proud of you!
 
Massive thanks to Coach Julia - who is as innovative as she is fun - and as motivating as she is wise! Julia has built quite a program - and an awesome pipeline to the upper school ranks! Cheers! Thanks also to Rachel, Amanda, Butch and so many more volunteers who have helped make this season a success! Thanks also to Leelee and family for helping work the finish line today!
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Tandem Friends School is a co-ed Quaker day school for grades 5-12 in Charlottesville, Virginia.
 
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