Seashore Striders off to the Cross Country Nationals

As I write this week’s column, I am on a luxury coach bus with my Seashore Striders cross country team on our way to the Cross County National Championships in Lexington, Ky. The meet will be held this Saturday at Masterson Station Park, home of several top cross country competitions in the Midwest.

As we left Lowe's this morning, it was pretty cool that local runners Jack Vassalotti and LeeAnn Waltz showed up to wish the runners good luck, as well as six-time Youth Cross Country All-American Logan Shuttleworth, now a sophomore at Cape Henlopen High School. Logan boarded the bus to loan her first Nationals sweatshirt as good luck to Bantam girl and regional champ Devin Hundley, who dedicated her Nationals race to Logan.

Speaking of dedication, the Striders coaching staff decided to challenge the runners this year by asking them each to dedicate their Nationals race to someone who has inspired them in the sport of cross country. The young runners had to write a letter themselves to the person or the family, deliver the letter or call and read to them, make a copy for their coaches, and follow up with the results of their race.

Reading through the letters was very rewarding, as some very touching pieces were written to a broad range of people, including runners, coaches, parents, grandparents and teachers who have made a difference in the lives of these young athletes. I thought my readers would enjoy some passages from a few of the dedications that were written.

To Joey Kwit from Striders runner Lainey Shockro:

“I thought I would dedicate my race to my running uncle, which is you. I want to dedicate this race to you because you have helped me so much with my running. You have helped me since I was 5 years old and I am so thankful for that. You have paced me and you have helped me get PRs [personal records], which was amazing. At the Nationals, I will run my hardest for you and during the race I will be thinking about how much you have done for me. I will try to get into the top 25 finishers and be an All-American for you.”

To grandmom and grandad from Striders runner Ryan Moody:

“As you know, I run for the Seashore Striders cross country team and I will be participating in the Nationals this Saturday. I would like to dedicate this race to you because you come to my races and cheer me on. It makes me feel happy that you come to watch me. I would like to thank you, and I will run my fastest, hardest and to the best of my ability from the start to the finish for you both.”

To Cape High School runner Zoe Callard from Striders runner Lindsey Guida:

“I dedicate my Nationals race to you. You are one of my biggest supporters and competitors. Before each of my races, you give me the “Zoom, Zoom, Zoe pep talk,” which motivates me to race. You have taught me to never doubt myself and to double knot my shoelaces. I am very excited to race because I know you will push me to do my absolute best.”

To my late PopPop from Striders runner Regan Best:

“I am dedicating my Nationals race to you because you were always there for me. You were also very nice and kind to everyone around. This is my first year as a Striders runner and my first year at the Nationals, but I am going to run my best and give everything I have for you.”

To my Godmother Julie from Striders runner Julie Daniello:

“I am dedicating my race to you because you love me and I love you, and you are always cheering me on at my races. You are always very nice to me and you always compliment me for my races. I will do my best and will try my hardest just for you.”

To my Nanny and Poppy from Strider Emily Trout:

“As you know, I run for the Seashore Striders cross country team. This weekend we will be racing in Lexington, Ky., for Nationals. I am so excited. I have decided to dedicate this race to you because I know how much you support me. With this dedication I will go really fast and work really hard throughout my race. I can’t wait to tell you how I do in the race.”

To my Great Grandma from Striders runner Mia Nuebling:

“I will be dedicating my race to you because you have always wanted me to do my best in my races. Even though you live in Mexico, you still support me in my running and I am thankful for that. I want you to tell other relatives in Mexico that this race is for them as well. I will run my hardest and fastest from start to finish with a goal of making it in the top 25 in the country.”

To former Strider Logan Shuttleworth from Strider Devin Hundley:

“I have been running very well this season so far. I am the regional champion for the 9-10 girls. The Seashore Striders have been practicing so hard, and we are ready to go to Nationals. I am so excited to race in Lexington, Ky. This is my second year without you on the team and I miss you so much. It was always so exciting to go to practice when you were there. I would like to dedicate my Nationals race to you because you were the person I looked up to when I was six, seven and eight. I wanted to be just like you because you were super duper fast and cool. I will run my hardest from start to finish. I wish you could come!”

To my coach, Coach B, from Striders runner Allaire Burton:

“I am dedicating my youth national championship to you. I feel you push me not just in running but also in my education and my health. You are never negative, always positive, and you never say can’t – always try. You push me to make me a better runner. You expect me to do well and I want to prove to you that I can at this year’s Nationals. I will listen to your words from start to finish. I have been through hard workouts and I have had a lot of good races, but this one will be the best yet. I can feel it and my goal is to run 2,000 meters in 9:10. I know I can do it.”

As coach, president and founder of the youth cross country team which started back in 1990, I just want to thank the Cape community for all the support they have given the team this year and in all the previous 25 years. The program is unique. Talented runners come from many different schools, areas and communities and join together to create a family of runners and running supporters, all with a common mission in hand: to promote the sport of cross country, and to develop and improve young runners with a concentration on teamwork, sportsmanship and dedication through the sport as well as in their individual young lives. Over and out - Off to Kentucky!