Thanks to all the Juneau friends, families and former high school runners who made our Aug. 26 high school cross country invitational at Sandy Beach another success.
Both the Juneau-Douglas High School and Thunder Mountain High School cross country teams joined forces to put on one of the largest high school cross country invitationals in the state. Janette Gagnon and Bob Marshall headed up the timing and finish line with support from Becky and Kurt Iverson, Cindy Tuckwood, Jennifer Knaggs, Carol May, Nicole Mannix and Amy Lloyd.
John Nagel was our most astute starter and Jesse Stringer, Zach Bursell and Heidi Hall marked a course so clear it was impossible to get lost (for most!). Hilary Young and Elizabeth Ramseth coordinate all course volunteers. McLain Sidmore, Jeff White, Geoff Rose, Jenny Strumfeld, Keith Goering, Magdelina Perry, Stacey Doutt and Mikaela May served as course marshals.
Colby Shibler and the CBJ Parks and Recreation crew deserve major kudos for trimming branches, laying gravel and moving rocks just in time for the race. In fact, they created a smoother, safer trail for the entire community! After more than 200 tired runners and course volunteers finished, they were well fed by a potluck filled with contributions from TM and JDHS families and coordinated by parents Alicia Smith, Sue York, Amy Deer and Tristan Weismuller.
Lastly, we want to thank the community of Douglas and the neighborhood around Sandy Beach for graciously sharing these trails with our next generation, to the largest (and loudest) cheering crowd we’ve seen at this meet in years, and to whomever else we may have forgotten to thank. There are many of you!
We also want to acknowledge and honor the amazing effort, expertise and energy of TMHS coach Scott May as he leaves XC after this season to pursue other muddy and interesting life paths.
It takes a village, and we sure our lucky to have ours.
Merry Ellefson, Tristan Knutson-Lombardo, Sandi Pahlke (and except for the end) Scott May
Juneau-Douglas and Thunder Mountain Cross Country Coaches
