Howard County Junior Striders XC Team

FALL 2007 STRIDERS YOUTH PROGRAMS INCLUDES NATIONAL CHAMP

The high school cross-country season was very successful for many of the schools in Howard County. We are so proud of all of you. Many of the teams had members who trained with the Summer Striders, the summer training program the Howard County Striders offer for teenagers getting ready for the cross-county season. A couple girls from Glenelg Country School participated in the program and they really had a great year. The River Hill boys and girls won state championships in the 2A classification and several joined the summer program this year. A couple guys from Glenelg ran with the group this summer and the team ended up winning a state championship at the 1A classification. I think nearly every girl on the Howard girls team were apart of the Summer Striders and this year they won the state championship in the 3A classification after winning last year in the 2A classification. One individual from the program won a state championship as well; Kyle Andrews from Oakland Mills won the 2A classification race. There were a lot of good times had last summer while getting some miles in and the performances this fall by so many were so impressive. We hope next summer we can have as much fun and work at least as hard as we did last year. Congrats to all the runners and we hope you continue being active in this great sport and with the Striders!

The Junior Striders Fall program is a cross-country program. This fall 138 youngsters ranging from 5 to 14 participated in the program. Approximately 90 runners, on average, showed up to practice twice a week from early September through the end of October. Vicki Lang was the head coach and Paul Shouse, Bobby Gessler, Chuck Powers, Jim Carbary and Karen Shouse worked together, with some assistance from a few parents here and there, to help all these children get in a quality workout. The runners participated in six regular season meets with over 50 Junior Striders, on average, competing. Almost 40 of the Junior Striders decided to compete in the AAU Cross-Country Junior Olympics and almost a dozen college/high schoolers joined them. The National Championship meet was held in Virginia Beach on Saturday December 1, 2007. Runners who finish 25th or better earn a medal and the Striders were represented very well this year as 10 of these kids earned a medal, three won a medal last year. In addition, there were at least five Junior Striders in three of the age groups which allowed them to compete officially as a team. The boys born in 1997 placed 7th, the boys born in 1995 placed 5th and the girls born in 1995 placed 2nd; the top three teams are invited to stand on the awards podium and receive medals. Check out the results of everyone from nationals!

This year was extra special for the club as we can boast of another National Champion. Years ago Zachary Heidepriem won a Junior Olympic National Championship and this year Brittany Lang became a National Champion as she won the 1998 girls 3k race. It is believed that she is the first person from Maryland to win a Junior Olympic Cross-Country Individual National Championship race in several years.

We are so proud of all the runners in the program and hope they all enjoyed their experience. The Junior Striders Spring program will begin in late March or early April and it will be a track program. We can only concentrate on the running events, no field events such as shot put or long jump. In particular, we will focus on the 400 meter run, 800 meter run, 1500 meter run, 3000 meter run, 1500 race walk, 3000 race walk and 4x800 meter relays. The youngsters who are eight and under are encouraged to participate and shorter distance races are available. The registration form will be in the March newsletter and on the web site in early March.