CC: Riders get 'mad' at opening workout
ever Midnight Madness run on Saturday morning at 12 a.m.
Just two years ago Donna Shannon arrived on the scene at Center High School with a low number of cross country athletes, but high expectations. Now those numbers are meeting her hopes for the future.
After watching just eight runners compete in her first season in 2008, Shannon welcomed more than 30 high school runners to Roughrider Stadium early Saturday morning as the program celebrated its first "Midnight Madness" time trial to open the 2010 season's workout sessions.
"We had such a fantastic turnout for the Midnight Madness," Shannon stated later. "We had 33 athletes show up in the middle of the night and had a great time. It really makes me excited about the coming season."
Shannon added that building the program has required a lot of dedication by her athletes and showing up at 12-midnight for the opening practice exhibited the kind of character this team now has.
"This is our first year to do a Midnight Madness run," she added. "We're trying to build the program and build some traditions to go along with it. And with nearly 40 runners to show up I'd definitely say it was successful.
"We've got a lot of youth and a lot of tenacity in this group and we're ready to get the season started."
Center is scheduled to open the 2010 season on Aug. 28 at the Hudson Relays.
CENTER HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY
2010 SCHEDULE
Aug. 28 Hudson Relays Hudson (JV,V)
Sept. 4 Davy Crockett Inv. Crockett (JV,V)
Sept. 11 Apple Springs Inv. Apple Springs (JV,V)
Sept. 18 Lumberjacks Inv. Nacogdoches (JV,V)
Sept. 25 Rider Invitational Center (JV,V)
Oct. 2 OPEN
Oct. 9 Tribe XC Meet Jacksonville (JV,V)
Oct. 13 Grapeland Inv. Grapeland (V)
Oct. 16 Lufkin Coke Classic Lufkin (JV,V)
Oct. 23 District Meet Hudson (JV,V)