Congratulations Girls Cross Country |
2009 State Champions!!! |
Back to Back |
1/19
We had 8 girls participate in the GVSU indoor meet this past Saturday. The girls competed in the DMR and 800M Run for a great workout and chance to compete. Nice job Lauren Grunewald, Brianna Clifford, Susan Hoffman, Jill McLain, Kassidy Clark, Jessie Baloga, Kellee Flemming, and Skye Roberts for a very beneficial day!
There's more opportunities at GVSU on January 23rd and 30th. Get out there and take advantage of this wonderful facility during the cold winter months.
STATE APPAREL
We haven't forgotten about the Cross Country State Championship apparel. Unfortunately, our UnderArmour gear has been back ordered until the end of January. Once we receive this we will get them printed and in your hands as soon as possible. Sorry for the delay!!!!
1/6
A big group of girls from our Track and Cross Country teams have embarked on an hour long fitness challenge called - S.P.E.W. at The Michigan Athletic Club. Apparently this hour long class combines strength training with cardio challenges that really does a great job of cross training. If you're interested it would be a great way to add some fun(???) to your training with your teammates. The class meets on Monday and Wednesday from 5:30pm - 6:30pm and you can call The MAC at 956-0944 to sign up.
1/5
Happy New Year!!!!
Hope the holidays treated all of you well. We're beginning our official pre-season training for track today right after school. All athletes interested in participating in the spring should plan on being there. We want to establish a very strong foundation to ensure a successful spring season.
We'll be meeting every Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 3:30pm - 5:00pm at the high school until the beginning of the season. Check the Calender link above for the entire pre-season schedule which includes opportunities for pole vault, high jump, fitness center hours, and indoor meets.
12/9
It's Championship T-Shirt Time!!!!! Use the order form to get your state championship apparel. Deadline is Wednesday, December 16th. Please turn in your orders and payment to Mr. Hopkins by this date.
We had our Track pre-season meeting yesterday with great attendance. Here is an informational sheet explaining all the opportunities for athletes to be fully prepared for the beginning of the season on Monday, March 15th. We officially begin when we get back from holiday break on Tuesday, January 5th. Please check the calendar link above for all the dates and conditioning sessions. We've also included our TENTATIVE track schedule for the 2010 season.
12/4
There will be a girls track and field meeting for all high schoolers interested in our sport. We will discuss indoor meet opportunities and pre-season training. We will meet on Tuesday, December 8th after school in Mr. Hopkins room. The meeting should last about 15 minutes. Remember - we are currently training every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday after school until Holiday Break.
Order forms for Cross Country State Championship apparel will be passed out at the girls track meeting. Be sure to turn in your form ASAP so we can hopefully receive the gear before Christmas.
All girls on the Cross Country and Track teams should sign up for one session of the Team Boosters Christmas Tree Sale. The sign up sheet is located outside Mr. Hopkins room 127. The dates are Wednesday, December 9th and Monday, December 14th from either 5:00pm - 6:30pm or 6:30pm - 8:00pm.
11/30
We're beginning our light winter conditioning today after school. We will be meeting in Mr. Hopkins room 127 at the high school at 3:25pm every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday leading up to Holiday Break. Conditioning should be completed between 4:45pm - 5:00pm. Dress warm because we'll be running outside most of the time. Middle school athletes that would like to have someone to run with are more than welcome to join us.
Board of Education Meeting
Our school board will be honoring the girls cross country team for their state championship on Monday, November 23rd at the Woodcliff Administration Building at 7:00pm. All runners on the team should plan on attending for this special honor. It should only last 15 minutes.
Don't Forget!!! Our girls cross country banquet is this Wednesday, November 18th at Kent Country Club at 6pm. Any questions please contact the team captains.
What a wonderful day once again in Brooklyn, Michigan where our girls cross country team brought home the 112th State Championship to East Grand Rapids High School. The girls defending their state title from last year and added the 4th championship to our girls cross country program.
Just like last year we were led by 3 All-State runners - Lauren Grunewald (2nd), Jessie Baloga (9th), and Kassidy Clark (27th). A very difficult task placing in the top 30 each year. Backing the girls up in the race were Kat Stubbs (47), Breezy Clifford (60), Katie Samuelson (117), and Jill McLain (118).
Thank you so much to everyone who came out to support the team on this very special day. It truly made it more meaningful having the extended team around us.
Below are a few links about the day. Keep checking because we will add more as it becomes available throughout the week.
TROPHY PRESENTATION
The entire girls team will be presenting the state championship trophy to the community at halftime of this Saturday's 1:00pm football game. The state team should plan on wearing their baby blue zip-ups and the remaining runners should wear their black sweatshirts.
The Grand Rapids Press article along with a photo gallery
The lead story in the 2009 XC State Finals program - Surprise Party!!!
The Dream Team race that combines all divisions in one hypothetical meet
Official results from the MHSAA
Congratulations to Lauren Grunewald for making the 2009 Dream Team!!
Some coverage about the State Finals from DyeStat
An article from legendary coach Duane Raffin
Another article from the Cadence newspaper
Photos at the State Finals from RunMichigan
Some more photos from Rissely Photography
Cross Country
11/3
Some end of the year information about the State Meet, Brann's dinner, XC banquet, individual meetings, Team Boosters christmas tree sales, and winter training opportunites.
There will be a brief meeting for ALL girls cross country runners after school on Wednesday in Mr. Hopkins room explaining this information in detail. All runners are expected to attend this 10 minute meeting.
11/2
Here are some results and a link to an article in the Grand Rapids Press from Saturday's Regionals.
This Saturday our State Finals send-off will begin at 8:15am outside Jimmy Gerken Plaza. More details will be provided.
The MHSAA has provided a direct link to order and print your State Finals tickets directly from home. Follow this link if you're interested.
11/1
Congratulations to the girls cross country team on their 2nd place finish at Regionals this past Saturday. The finish ensured the team of their 7th straight qualification to the State Meet this Saturday in Brooklyn, Michigan. All girls on the team are invited to join the team on the bus and celebratory dinner at Brann's later that day. Keep checking the website for more specific details regarding the day.
Any state team members that have a "State Shoe" must get that to the Stubbs family ASAP please. They would like to update them for Saturday.
10/30
Some details regarding the Regional Meet this Saturday at Christian Reformed Recreation Center and Riverside Park.
10/29
Regional Update!!! Here's some new information for parents and families this weekend. As stated earlier the varsity race has changed to 11:00am at Christian Recreation Center. There will now be a reserve race at RIVERSIDE PARK at 4:15pm for any teams interested. We're very familiar with Riverside as we raced their for our last jamboree of the season. There will be one race that combines the boys and girls together. We're very excited for the opportunity that ALL runners will have to race this Saturday.
The bus will leave at 9:00am outside Jimmy Gerken Plaza and ALL team members are welcome to join us this Saturday - not just the State Team!!! The girls will receive more details about both races this Friday at practice.
10/28
We have a change in our schedule for Regionals this Saturday. The varsity race will now be run at 11:00am at Christian Recreation Center. Unfortunately at this time they have canceled the Reserve Race. The coaches are working on another option for our remaining runners. Stay tuned.
10/25
A course map for Christian Recreation Center and Riverside Park where we will be running this Saturday for those interested.
10/22
Our team finished up strong as we get into the very competitive meets in October. We placed 2nd at the first ever Kent County Championship Meet at Gainey field. Here are some results and an article in the Grand Rapids Press.
We also completed a perfect OK White Conference season this past Tuesday at Riverside Park. With their performances this season in the conference meets - Brianna Clifford, Lauren Grunewald, Kathleen Stubbs, Jessie Baloga, and Katie Samuelson all received OK White All-Conference recognition. Pictures for All-Conference are November 11th at 8:00am at Northview High School. Also Jill McLain received OK White Honorable Mention recognition. Here are some more results of the meet and another article from the Grand Rapids Press.
Congratulations to these girls who will represent our team for our final meets of the season on our 2009 State Team - Jessie Baloga, Kassidy Clark, Brianna Clifford, Nicole Dear, Kellee Flemming, Scotland Gourley, Taylor Gruner, Lauren Grunewald, Jill McLain, Katie Samuelson, Kathleen Stubbs, Maddie Vaughn, Anna Jane Ward.
Plan ahead!!! Our Cross Country Banquet is scheduled for Wednesday, November 18th at 6pm at Kent Country Club. More information will follow.
10/14
SCHEDULE CHANGE!!! SCHEDULE CHANGE!!!!
Our last jamboree has been changed to Tuesday, October 20th instead of the original date of October 21st. The meet will still be at Riverside Park and all girls will run at 4:30pm.
This means that Wednesday, October 21st will be the last practice for the entire team. After Wednesday only the State Team will continue practice for the remainder of the season.
10/13
Just an update for the Kent County Meet this Saturday at Gainey Field. The girls varsity will race at 10:00am, junior varsity at 11:30am, and awards at 1:00pm. Here is a really nice link to their course at Gainey Field if you're interested.
10/11
What an exciting day for our Cross Country team at the Portage Invitational this past Saturday!! Our varsity and reserve teams both placed first in this competitive field with 41 teams. Of our 28 runners - 20 girls set their PR's today! And a big congrats to Lauren Grunewald who placed first overall with a time of 18:14 in the varsity race with 277 runners!!
Thank you to all the families who came and supported our team in the biggest invitational we'll see all year. Here are some results with details.
We have a week of training ahead to get prepared for the Kent County Invite at Gainey Field this Saturday. Details will follow once they are available.
10/8
Our 3rd straight conference jamboree victory!! The team did very well at Northview to keep a perfect record in the OK White. Here are some results.
The team will be departing at 9:30am for the Portage Invitational this Saturday. The girls are organizing some dishes to pass and snacks for this exciting day. We would like each runner to contribute an item. We're hoping a parent could take care of transporting the dishes/snacks to the invitational so the girls can focus on their race. If you're willing please email Mr. Hopkins.
10/4
Another great Saturday for our team - 10 PR's and all 30 runners were healthy and running as we placed 1st at the Haslett Invitational. Here are some results.
Looking ahead - Wednesday is our 3rd Jamboree of the season at Northview High School. All the girls will run together in one race at 4:30pm. This Saturday is the exciting and competitive Portage Invitational. The varsity girls will run at 1:00pm and the reserves at 3:00pm. You can check the official website at www.portageinvite.com.
10/2
Hearts of Gold tonight at the football game!!! Support the Helen DeVos Children's Hospital and wear your gold tonight at the game. Runners will be arriving at the Jimmy Gerken Plaza around 6:55pm to pass the football to former EGR patients. The kids and runners will walk the ball to mid-field and present it to team captains and officials.
Our goal was $50,000 at the beginning of the project - it's very exciting to say we have exceeded this amount. Stay tuned when the check is presented at the beginning of the game for our total donation from the two communities.
Haslett Invitational tomorrow. The bus leaves at 6:45am. The Reserve Race is at 10:00am the Varsity Race is at 11:00am. We will announce which race the runners will be in at today's practice.
9/28
This past weekend at the Jackson Invitational provided some great performances from the team. Here are some results.
We have a week off from our Jamboree schedule until we head to the Haslett Invitational on Saturday. On Friday night our girls and boys cross country teams will be running the game ball for Friday night's game from the Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. Runners will need to be at the intersection of Plymouth and Lake Drive at 6:30pm. More details will follow.
9/24
Another successful day at Lowell High School for our 2nd Jamboree of the season. Here are some results. And a story from the Grand Rapids Press on the meet.
A list of runners for the Jackson Invitational. Remember - everyone is invited to join the team. We'll leave at 7:45am and get back around 2:30pm.
9/21
A busy and successful weekend for our girls team. The girls placed 2nd in the Elite Race at the highly competitive MSU Invitational. This race featured 9 of the top 10 Division 1 teams. Some video of the race.
The remainder of the team raced at the Sparta Invite on Saturday. 13 of the 20 girls had all-time best performances and really stepped up to the challenge. Results from both races can be found under the results link at top.
Looking ahead for the week! The team will travel to Lowell for the 2nd Jamboree of the season. The girls are excused at 2:45pm and all will race at 4:30pm. On Saturday, September 26th we'll be traveling to Ella Sharp Park in Jackson, Michigan for the Jackson Invitational. All girls are welcome to join us for the meet but only 14 will be running. We will split into two teams - a Blue and Gold squad for this race. Girls will know on Thursday if they will be particpating.
9/17
Team information for MSU Invite and Sparta Invite this weekend. Hope to see you all there!!!!!
9/16
It's been confirmed that we've been placed in the Nike Elite Race on Friday at the MSU Invitational. This is a great competitive race that places some of the better teams around the state from all divisions. Race time is scheduled for 3:10pm. Spectators will need to get there early because parking is limited and you will need to take a shuttle to Forest Akers Golf Course. Parking options for spectators are here.
9/15
Congratulations to the team's performance at the TK Invitational! The team placed first scoring 21 points and placing 5 of the top 7. We also had 7 all-time PR's on this warm day. Results are here along with an article from the Grand Rapids Press.
Any parents planning on attending the MSU Invite are advised to LEAVE EARLY. You will need to take a shuttle from the parking lot to the golf course and apparently traffic backs up very quickly.
9/13
It's hard to believe we're entering the middle of September already. This week will be an exciting and busy one for our team. Monday we'll be heading to the Middleville Invitational. Runners will be excused at 2:15pm for the 4:00pm combined girls race. This is a great invitational at the scenic Gun Lake State Park.
We've added another meet to the schedule which will include only 7 varsity runners this Friday, September 18th. We'll be traveling to the MSU Invitational to compete with teams from the other side of the state. This will also allow an additional 7 girls on the team to get experience running varsity at the Sparta Invitational on Saturday. Details for the meet can be found at www.gosparta.com
Also - our conference meet time schedule is finally settled. All girls will be running at 4:30pm for our Wednesday meets. Changes have been made to our calendar.
9/10
A great first conference victory yesterday. I apologize for all the confusion - the conference meet race schedule still hasn't been settled - stay tuned. Here's results from the meet. Looking ahead - all the girls will race at 4:00pm on Monday at the Middleville Invitational at Gun Lake State Park.
9/9
Here we go again! Time changes for TODAY'S meet. I apologize - the schools can't get on the same page. Apparently there is a varsity race at 4:30pm for the girls. The junior varsity race will start around 5:30pm. I hope all confusion will be settled after this first jamboree of the season. Thanks for your patience.
9/8
Tis' the season for team dinners and goodie bags. Here's the schedule.
9/02
Wow those were some fast times today!!! Congratulations girls on your team victory at the OK-White vs. OK-Black Kickoff Run. You led the OK-White Conference to their 2nd straight victory. Here are results from the race.
Also - a big congratulations to Lauren Grunewald who broke a 5 year old record when she ran an 18:07 today at Gracewil Golf Course. Lauren broke the All-Time Senior Record that was previously held by Laura Malnor with a time of 18:15 set in 2004. Amazing race today!!!
TIME CHANGE! TIME CHANGE!! There has been a time change for all conference jamborees this season. All girls will be running at 4:30pm for all four of our conference races this season. There will be no separate JV races as we've had in the past. This means next Wednesday when we race in Greenville all girls on the team will be running at 4:30pm. Please mark your calendars accordingly.
A little article in the Cadence from the Pioneer Classic.
8/30
Thank you to everyone for an absolutely great week. The Pioneer Classic, Alumni Tailgater, and 50/50 raffle couldn't have been better. Here are the results from the Pioneer Classic which we haven't won since 2004. A great way to start the season. All results are password protected - email Mr. Hopkins to get the super secret password or ask your daughter.
We finish our last official week of summer training with a little bit of everything. Check the calendar for specific practice details. Our meet on Wednesday is at Gracewil Golf Course. The races are 9:00am for girls varsity and 10:10am for girls junior varsity. The bus will pick us up at school at 7:00am.
REGIONALS - REGIONALS - REGIONALS
We're giving you plenty of notice!!! On our schedule we have Gainey Athletic Fields as our course for Regionals. We just found out that was incorrect and the actual venue is the very, very, popular Christian Recreation Center off 36th Street. The team is very excited for this opportunity to race at a great course.
8/22
What a great start to the summer phase of our season. The Can Drive was a huge success and more importantly for the team they get t0 order "hoodless" sweatshirts!!!! We're approaching an extremely busy week for our program. Below is a list of the big events for the upcoming week.
Sunday - 6:00pm - 7:00pm - Manhattan course clean-up
Monday - 7:00pm - Pietros Social - families should contact the Stubbs family to reserve their spot.
Wednesday - 3:30pm - 5:00pm - Community Open House for the new athletic facilities.
Thursday
Pioneer Classic - 8:00am JV girls, 8:45am JV boys, 9:30am Varsity Girls, 10:15am Varsity Boys. We still need volunteers for this event - please contact Coach Hopkins.
XC and Track Alumni Tailgater - 5:30pm - 6:30pm in the Track Plaza. This event is hosted by the girls and boys cross country teams. We hope to unveil our new record board at the Field Events Center on this day. Sue McLain is organizing volunteers for this event so please contact her at smclain@egrps.org if you can assist.
50/50 Raffle - The girls cross country team is in charge of the 50/50 raffle for the first home football game of the year against Orchard Lake St. Mary's. All runners are expected to assist with this event.
Deadline Approaching!! We're getting a great response for our current Cross Country and Track Fundraiser towards a new record board. If you haven't received an order form or need brick ideas click on the links. Our goal is to unveil the record board at the first ever Alumni Tailgater on August 27th. Orders will be accepted through September 7th. We hope to make this area very special and filled with the names and families that have contributed to the tradition of our XC and Track teams. Don't delay - order that brick and help us reach our goal!!!!
7/17
SAVE THE DATE!!!! Our first ever Alumni Tailgater is scheduled for Thursday, August 27th at 5:30pm. All current and former boys and girls involved with the track and cross country teams are invited to attend. Head over to the track plaza before the football home opener and visit with old friends, teammates, and families in the programs. We hope to unveil our new record board on the Field Events Center.
7/13
BIG NEWS!!! Starting today we're beginning a big fundraiser for our Girls and Boys Track and Cross Country programs. Our goal is to raise funds for a record board located on the new Field Events Center in the Track Plaza. We're very proud of the tradition and accomplishments of our teams at East Grand Rapids and would like to see them permanently displayed. The record board will include all current Track and Field school records along with the All-Time Top 20 performances in Cross Country. Here is an example of what it will look like.
We're creating three opportunities for friends and families to support our teams. You can show your support permanently by purchasing a brick in the newly created Honors Garden located in the Track Plaza or on the west side of the track at Letterman's Curve. We also have a chance for friends and families to purchase a cast aluminum sign on the 9 pillars that line Letterman's curve.
Click on the links to the right for more information and details on how you can order your brick or sign to show support for our programs.
2008 State Meet Memories
Here are some pictures from the state meet. Test on the photo albums.
A recent Cadence article.
Check out The Grand Rapids Press rankings from November 6th.
Below are some online links with pictures of the State Meet.
Runmichigan - Look for links with D2 pictures and awards
Rissley Photography - Look for MHSAA Finals link
Dyestat - has a little coverage with more to come
What an amazing day for our entire team!!! You couldn't ask for a better meet from our girls. We had 3 All-State Runners, 5 Personal Records, and a ton of support from the entire team. Combine all of that together and you come away with the DIVISION 2 TEAM STATE TITLE!!!! Here's some coverage from the Grand Rapids Press. Also the MHSAA Final results are here. Some more numbers to look at - the hypothetical Dream Race that combines all four divisions in one race.
Thank you to everyone for truly making this a day that we will all remember for a very long time. Much more information will be posted here in the next few days once Mr. Hopkins catches his breath. Please pass along any extra copies of pictures or video throughout the day to Mr. Hopkins also. You can email at nhopkins@egrps.org.
STATE CHAMPIONS!!! Congratulations to the East Grand Rapids Girls Cross Country Team and the runners who represented the entire community!
Lauren Grunewald - 3rd Place - All State - 18:20
Kassidy Clark - 14th Place - All State - 18:51
Jessie Baloga - 15th Place - All State - 18:51
Brianna Clifford - 64th Place - 19:33
Katie Samuelson - 73rd Place - 19:39
Kathleeen Stubbs - 81st Place - 19:44
Nicole Dear - 175th Place - 20:52
10/17
Congratulations to Freshman Kassidy Clark on her 5th place finish at the Portage Invitational. Her time of 18:52 will be acknowledged this Thursday by the Grand Rapids Press in the High School Press Salutes section.
Track and Field
6/2
The 2nd annual EGR Community Yard Sale is scheduled for Friday, June 12th from 9:00am-3:00pm in the D&W Parking Lot. Our girls track and field team is accepting donations for this event. Please drop off your priced and ready to sell items Friday morning. All items not sold will be donated to Goodwill Industries. Questions contact Cindy Morris at morrismom@comcast.net
6/1
A 10th place team finish for the EGR Girls Track and Field team this past Saturday at Zeeland High School in the MHSAA State Finals. Along with a great team finish five individuals received All-State honors for their performances - Katie Samuelson, Brianna Clifford, Lauren Grunewald, Carley Morris, and Jessie Baloga. Carley Morris continued her great season with another school record of 11' 2" in the Pole Vault.
Just a reminder all girls should have all of their equipment turned in to Mr. Hopkins already otherwise the $100.00 deposit will be processed. We also have our banquet at the EGR Community Center this Thursday, June 4th at 6:00pm.
5/29
Anyone interested in watching the MHSAA State Track and Field Finals on Saturday, May 30th can access live streaming at www.mhsaa.tv Here is more information about the meet that was passed out to the athletes.
5/20
Congratulations to Katie Samuelson, Jessie Baloga, Lauren Grunewald, Brianna Clifford, Hannah Chapla, and Carley Morris on their performances at the Regional meet. These athletes qualified for the State Finals on May 30th, 2009 at Zeeland High School. They will be competing in the Long Jump, Pole Vault, 800M Run, 4x400 Relay, and 4x800 Relay. Congratulations on representing our team at the most exciting meet of the year.
Attention all potential pole vaulters!!!!! Charles DeWildt, Assistant Track Coach and former pole vaulter at the University of Michigan is organizing a summer pole vault series through the Recreation Department. If you're just beginning or need the assistance to take your vaulting to the next level this series is for you!!!!! Email cdewildt@egrps.org for more information.
