Race Day USA

Evening all,

Today the team competed in their first US invitational. After over a week of training with the various squads (included the Hollywood sign run, a trail run in the O.C. and a fast track session with Santa Margerita) the acclimatisation seemed to be going well. A tough course in hot conditions showed them the importance of good race strategy, diet and favourable conditions. Tonight was their last chance to hang out with their billets and they had organised a poolside BBQ followed by a visit to the local corn maze.

Saturday 6th October

7am saw the team gather at Coach Morales' specially prepared track, a dry and dusty affair that had the potential for some fast times. An early disagreement with a nest of yellow backs (a particularly nasty relative of the wasp) meant that the course had to be changed from the planned 3 mile to a slightly longer 3.7 mile. The first race of the day was the middle school girls and boys and this showed that the course was definitely tougher than it first appeared.

As the sun rose and the temperature soared the teams competed in two age grade races and the Varsity race in which each school enters its best 7 runners from any level. The competition all round was very tough and the high temperatures made things difficult for all involved.

Nervous tension was high as the fro/sophs (4th formers) set off just before 10 am but Matt Wallace started strong, closely followed by Jake Pallister, Sungwoo Baek, Ryan Martin and Zhiyuan Xie. However, Matt was unable to hold off a determined Ryan who worked his way forward to finish first for Grammar in a respectable th place.

Next up was the Varsity race and the Grammar squad was led out by Henry Watt at a blisteringly fast pace. However, after the first lap the effects of the heat began to show and the boys had to grit their teeth as the pain set in. Kirk Madgwick ran a great race to finish strong and first of the Grammar boys and was closely followed by Henry and Captain Asher Meltzer.

The final race of the day was the junior varsity and a fired up Fletcher Boswell lead the way until he was tripped on the second corner and had to work hard to regain his place in the pack. Matt Pogson ran an impressive race to finish 7th overall and lead the 5 man team to 3rd place, just 1 point short of 2nd.

Throughout the race and at the prize giving the boys were given great support from our San Benito hosts as well as from the other teams. The cheers, banners and words of encouragement were what pulled the teams through in an unforgiving race. A lot of lessons have been learned and it is up to the boys to put these into action for next week's race in Hawaii.


Points of note:

The entire Hollister squad for their support, encouragement and hospitality. The have been truly awesome and have made our visit here one that will be long remembered.

Kyle Esterhuizen, Ryan Martin and Matt Pogson ran both hard and smart to come from behind and lead the way home for Grammar in their respective categories.

Fletcher Boswell for picking himself up from the dust after getting tripped 300 m into the race and working his way back up towards the front of the field to finish strongly.

Asher Meltzer for being the most supported team captain in the meet. At every corner it seemed that there were crowds of cheering girls waving banners with his name. He looked tired after being up late the previous night painting the signs.

James Grieve for his strong finish, digging deep when all around we're hurting to work his way past a number of runners and finish fast.

Coach Gordon for carrying Tom Batts from the finish line to the nearest shade. Despite his incapacity, Tom still managed to make friends with a Hollister senior. After some expert first aid from Coach Jones, Tom made a speedy recovery.

Ryan Martin (assisted by his sidekick Roddy Lockhart) doing his part for US/NZ relations. Next project, Syria/Libya?

Unable to limit their shopping to the 3 hr allocation yesterday the coaches returned to Gilroy's for a repeat Shopping spree. After borrowing a car and attempting to drive from the passenger seat, Coach Jones drove the staff safely there and back while mostly remaining on the right (wrong?) side of the road. Coaches Jones and Gordon are already calculating their excess baggage charges and hatching plans to avoid them.



We leave Hollister for San Francisco at 9 am tomorrow morning and I know I speak for everyone when I say that it will be very hard to say goodbye. The people of Hollister have been incredibly welcoming and the boys have all raved about their time here. Thanks to all for the hospitality.

Coach Skeen is due to return to us tomorrow afternoon so the updates will return to their normal quality.