State Meet!

Well...I made it through the whole day without crying (because it was Andrew's last state meet in cross country!). I did not even think to cry. He ran so well for the first 2/3 of the race! He looked like himself - very strong and passing people right and left. The last bit got him, but he still ran a great time with a solid place. For those things I am very thankful. Peter had a great race. It was not his greatest, but he was 8th in the 4A State; so he did well! He is growing and learning and figuring things out!

I ran to the finish when I saw Andrew struggling at the end, but he did not need me. I went with him to get water, and I thought how much I appreciate that he does not want attention, does not bring attention to himself, and just matter of factly goes on about his life. I learn from him but also feel it's my place to "help" his perspective sometimes when he is a little hard on himself.

I don't know if any cross country boys' parents read this, but if you know them, please pass this on. Today, the boys (some graduated!) helped the girls...again. Earlier in the season, I was working at the finish line and asked one of the boys to run some water over to one of our girls who had a hard time at the finish. When I turned around a couple of minutes later, many of our Watauga boys were handing water to ALL of the girls in the finish chute - not just from WHS. I was so proud of them. I did not tell them to do that - they came up with it on their own! And today we had some girls have tough finishes. One took off his shirt so one could lie down on the patch of grass near the mud. Another got water for the girls. They were very good about checking on them. I am so proud of how they act!

Foot Locker is the Saturday after Thanksgiving! Brings back all of those Kinney Meet memories!