Last Gasp 5K - Dothan, AL

Stephen, Caroline and Kappy ran in the Last Gasp 5K in Dothan, Alabama today. We thought it would be an easy victory for Stephen as last year's fastest times were in the 20 minute range. The main reason we went to the race was to see if Stephen could run a race in the 16's before 2011 ended. That was one of his goals this year. One of the Cairo runners who often runs in the local races was there. He found Stephen shortly after we got out of the car to register and told him there was a high school kid who runs in the high 16's who had entered the race. The kid's name was Sean Kent. That sounded like good news for helping Stephen get into the 16's.

The race started and the lead runners were quickly out of sight with Stephen in 4th place. The next time I saw him was at the 4400 meter mark. Stephen was in 2nd place about 15 meters behind Sean Kent. As the two runners passed me Stephen said "Dad, I have to pee." I told him "Later!" The two runners sped past me and toward a short (but rather steep) hill. Unlike a lot of runners, Stephen loves to see a steep hill coming. He seems to have really figured out how to power up the hills. Today's race was proof of Stephen's burgeoning hill running prowess. When the two runners reached the hill, Stephen picked up his pace and ran past the lead runner. He ended up winning the race by 10 or 15 meters. He was a little disappointed to see his race time of 17:40. We were told that the course they ran on is traditionally a difficult course. It would be a good one to train on. You can view all of the race results at the Dothan Runners Club site.   For a more objective article on the race you can also read Herb Wills' blog. 

Caroline and Kappy were also in the race. Kappy told us the whole trip over to Dothan that she didn't want to run. When she saw all the people signing up to run she changed her mind. Jacob ran with her. Aim signed Caroline up as a "walker" against her will thinking she might end up with a medal. Aim was right. Caroline finished 3rd overall.

Enjoy the pictures:

Tannenbaum 6K, Tallahassee, FL

Stephen ran in the Tannenbaum 6k on Saturday. He finished 11th overall out of a very strong field of local Tallahassee runners. His time was 22:10. What that means I have no idea as this is only his second 6k ever. There aren't many around. For a summary of the race you can read Herb Wills' blog.  You can also see all the race results at Gulfwinds.

Enjoy the pictures:

Red Nose Run 5K - Thomasville, Georgia

Stephen, Jacob and Caroline ran in the Red Nose Run 5K in Thomasville, Georgia on Saturday December 10, 2011.  Stephen took off fast and ended fast winning the race in 17:07.  Jacob and Caroline got to the race about 1 minute after it started.  I handed each of them their running numbers "bibs" and they took off to catch the already departed crowd.  Jacob finished 42nd (24:38) out of 242 and in 206th (40:58). You can see all of the results here.

We rushed out of the house the morning of the race and forgot to bring our cameras.  Fortunately, a number of other people were taking pictures.  You can read Herb Wills' article and see his pictures at Trouble Afoot.

Also, a number of pictures were taken by the Thomasville Junior Services League.

AAU XC National Championships at ESPN Wide World of Sports

Stephen ran in the AAU Cross Country Intermediate Division (15-16) National Championships at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Kissimmee, Florida. There were runners from all over the country in the race. They ran the Intermediate Division in the same race as the Youth Division (17-18), but handed out awards separately. Stephen finished the race in 17:02 placing 28th overall, 16th in the Intermediate Division, and 6th out of the 15 year olds.

The AAU gave out awards to the top 25, but only the top 8 in each division were called to the awards podium and given gold medals. Stephen was not happy about his finish as you can see in the pictures when the awards were handed out. He said he will not finish lower than 1st overall next year. Who knows? He started the 2011 cross country season out running mid 18's and knocked a minute and a half off. That would put him around 15:30 next year.

A 17:01 and 17:02 in two national events ain't bad.

Enjoy the pictures.

Footlocker South Regionals Freshman Championship 2011

Stephen ran in the Footlocker South Regionals Freshman Championship in Charlotte, North Carolina on Saturday. There were 16 southern states and 168 freshman runners in his race. The first half of the race was chilly and the second half pleasant. He started the race out fast (hitting the 1 mile mark in 8th place at 5:06). When he heard the guy call out his time he slowed a bit thinking he would burn out before the race was over. As he slowed, 20 or so runners passed him. He was able to make up some of that ground by the end of the second mile. He ended the race with a PR of 17:01 and in 22nd place. Runners 21-30 were named to the Footlocker South Regional Freshman Third Team. He received a bronze medal for placing 22nd. The kid who won the race ran a 16:20. You can view all the results at Footlocker South Freshman Boys.

Overall we had a great time. Jacob helped Stephen get ready for the race and the girls were well behaved. The course was relatively flat with one short but steep hill going up and coming down. Many of the runners had to slow their descent on the hill to avoid falling into the lake. Next up...the AAU National Championship at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Kissimmee, Florida.

Check out the pictures:

Turkey Trot 2011

GISA AA State Varsity Championship

Brookwood ran in the GISA AA Varsity State Championship meet today in Macon, Georgia.  The meet was held at Wesleyan College instead of the traditional site at the Children's Home.  The Wesleyan College was considerably more difficult as evidenced by the fact that none of the boys broke the 17:00 barrier in either division.  The weather was cold and windy unlike most of the races Brookwood has run in.

Despite the difficult conditions Brookwood's boys finished 2nd Overall with Stephen Robbins (4th in 18:10) and Alex Carico (7th in 18:48) making the All-State Team.  Daniel Fortner (16th in 19:29), Will Carico (17th in 19:31), Hampton Worthey (37th in 21:03), William Harrer (41st in 21:24), and Campbell Beadles (45th in 21:35) also performed well.  You can see all the results here.

GISA Region 3AA Varsity Championship 2011

Brookwood's varsity cross country teams competed in the Region 3AA Championship Meet on Thursday. 

Brookwood's girls team finished 2nd in the team standings with Leigh Stauffer (3rd overall in 22:57) and Hunter Avera (4th overall in 23:36) making the All-Region Team.  Following Leigh and Hunter were Haleigh Fredricks (15th overall in 26:29), Anna Kelly (16th overall in 26:31), Sarah Chason (19th overall in 26:50) and Anna Stauffer (21st overall in 27:00).  You can see all of the results on this website.

Brookwood's boys team finished 1st in the team standings with Stephen Robbins (1st overall in 17:28), Alex Carico (4th overall in 18:35), Daniel Fortner (6th overall in 19:45) and Hampton Worthey (10th overall in 20:12) making the All-Region Team.  Following Hampton were Will Carico (11th overall in 20:16), William Harrer (14th overall in 21:11), Jack Howard (15th overall in 21:51), Phillip Chason (16th overall in 22:04), Campbell Beadles (17th overall in 22:05), Rand Pope (20th overall in 22:58), Chase Flowers (24th overall in 23:54), John Penhallegon (27th overall in 24:48), Felix Uslar (34th overall in 26:19), Luke Mitchell (36th overall in 27:34), and Renny Hodges (first at the 300 meter mark and 41st overall in 30:38).  You can see all of the results on this website.

Great job teams! I predict a close finish at state in the boys race between Heritage and Brookwood.  Heritage raced on the state course earlier this year.  Their results can be viewed on this website. 

Also, we had a new school join our region this year.  Welcome Grace Christian from Bainbridge, Georgia!  Grace has made an immediate splash in cross country finishing 2nd overall in boys team standings behind the strong running of brothers Kyle (3rd overall in 18:26) and Chase Harris (2nd overall in 17:35).  Their little brother Caleb (a 5th grader) finished 5th at the Middle School State Championship Meet.  Grace Christian 8th grade girl, Perra Harrell, won the Middle School State Meet. 

Enjoy the pictures:

JV State AA Cross Country Meet 2011

Brookwood's Boys JV Team won the GISA AA JV State Championship Meet today at Stratford Academy. What an exciting race to watch. Will Carico led the boys team with a first place finish time of 9:06. Will's time was good enough to have also won the AAA meet by 13 seconds. You can view all of the boys race results here. Also, check out this article on the Brookwood School websit.

Following Will were Noah Voyles (4th in 9:46), Truman Wright (7th in 10:21), Preston Young (9th in 10:26), Will Ladson (14th in 10:52), Jacob Robbins (33rd in 11:42), Kyle Olstrom (37th in 11:48) and Trenton Newman (66th in 13:11). There were 91 runners in the boys race.

On the girls side, Honey Balfour medaled when she finished 9th overall in 11:06 and Julia Hilson just missed a medal finishing 11th in 11:14. Following Julia were Maisie Barrett at 39th in 12:41, Elizabeth Johnson at 42nd in 13:01, Angela Guiterrez at 45th in 13:13, Catherine Fennell at 63rd in 14:07, and India Jane Grimsley at 70th in 14:23. You can view all of the girls race results here.

Enjoy the pictures:

Deerfield-Windsor Fish Camp Frolic 2011

Brookwood School divided into two groups today. The top 7 Varsity Boys ran in the FSU Invitational and everyone else ran in the DWS Fish Camp Frolic in Albany.

Check out Renny and Chase's strong start to the Varsity Boys race; first and second after 300 meters.

FSU Invitational; Stephen finishes 6th and sets a new PR of 17:17!

The Varsity Boys ran in the FSU Invitational this morning. Stephen finished 6th overall in the Open Division. The high school Open Division was significantly less competitive than the other high school Invitational Division. He would have finished 60th or so in the Invitational Division. He ran a PR of 17:17. You can view all of the results here.

The guy with the microphone in his hand is Herb Wills. Herb was a 3 or 4 time All-American distance runner at FSU. His fastest 5K is sub-14:00.

Brookwood Invitational 2011

The Brookwood Invitational was held on Wednesday, September 21. Along with Brookwood, Tiftarea, Highland, Randolph Southern, Valwood, Westwood and St. Johns were in attendance. Stephen won the boys varsity race with a time of 18:10. You can view all the results here.

Enjoy the pictures: