The New Prairie Invitational is held in New Carlisle, Indiana at the New Prairie high School. It is one of the largest events for XC I have seen to date. Dozens of schools, boys and girls teams, were scheduled to run all day, hundreds of runners and parents crowded the fields. I arrived at 8:30am and races had been running all morning. Valpo XC Boys arrived early to get mentally prepared and warm up. Varsity Boys were slotted to run around 11:05am. Three minutes before the race was to start, officials delayed the race on account of the weather. All were moved into the gym.
After a long delay, races began. The XC boys had to re-psych themselves mentally and warm up once again. Varsity was scheduled to run first. There was a stampede of runners, you could feel the wind as they ran by. Of our Valpo XC Varsity Runners, Junior Ahmad Aljobeh came in 3rd in the top 15 with a time of 15:39, receiving a trophy for placing in the top 15.
Varsity Runners and Times:
Ahmad Aljobeh-Junior 15:39
Michael Bobos-Senior 16:28
Ari Coupolous-Freshman 17:05
Patrick Dalton-Sophomore 17:07
Murray Banks-Junior 17:14
Colin Stiscak-Senior 17:16
Valpo XC Boys Varsity Team placed fifth overall receiving a trophy for the Valparaiso High School.
Next race held was the Frosh/Soph (Freshman and Sophomore). Their race ran without any further delay. Sophomore Zachary Schwartz placed 9th with a time of 17:20 and Sophomore Xavier Reed placed 13th with a time of 17:30. Both Zachary and Xavier received trophies for placing in the top 15.
Valparaiso Frosh/Soph Team placed second overall and also received a trophy for the school
Frosh/Soph Runners and Times:
Zachary Schwartz-Sophomore 17:20
Xavier Reed-Sophomore 17:30
Jacob Hamer-Sophomore 17:35
Jordan Galligan-Sophomore 17:52
Andrew Jankowski-Freshman 17:52
Kevin Hickey-Freshman 18:14
Tim Meyer-Sophomore 18:33
The Reserve race was scheduled to run next. The last two races of the day. Because of the weather, the officials announced during the Frosh/Soph race that the boys and girls would race together. That was going to be a massive amount of runners and an amazing sight, all those boys and girls running together, however, another announcement was made as the Frosh/Soph race was running... "The last race of the day is the Frosh/Soph race"...There were so many disappointed runners and coaches determined to run, as well as parents that waited all day in the cold and rain to see their son or daughter run, myself included.
Valpo Boys XC is so "AWESOME" They did not disappoint. These boys came to run and run they did! In the cold and in the rain Valpo Boys XC Reserves ran the course they waited all day to run for times. I was so proud of them. West Lafayette also ran with Valpo giving them a little competition. A few of the parents also stayed to watch the boys. Mr. Mangel reading off times as the boys came accross the finish line. Mrs. Palin even took a fall, but she feel with grace and cheered for her son. Coach prow cheered and encouraged his determined runners, running back and forth across the course as if this was the official race. Soaked, the boys finished one by one, all of them!
Great job to every Valpo XC Boys runner!!!
The next meet will be held at SunSet Hill Farm against Portage High School and Lake Central. The last home meet of the season. Boys run at 5:15pm, Girls at 4:15pm. Come and cheer for Valpo XC
Photos
#1 Ahmad giving info on his win to an official photo
#2 Varsity win Photo
#3 Frosh/Soph win Photo
#4 Reserve "Winners" with Coach Prow