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October 2016 - page 5

Cross Country Season Meets Its End

in Sports by

Cross country runners are not ones to give up on a task easily, seeing as they run for fun, and this quality has without a doubt been expressed throughout the season.

To any Wesleyan cross country runner, the phrase “form drills” will cause their mind to fill with escape routes and excuses to find refuge in the locker room. The dreaded exercises are not exactly enjoyable to say the least, but runners are not one to give up on a task, so they jump right into those high knees and B-skips.

The Wolves started out strong in August with a third place finish coming from the girls’ team and a sixth place finish coming from the boys’ team at the Wesleyan Invitational. It is common knowledge that the Wolves’ course is one of the most difficult to race, given the Sahara Desert above the upper field and the ever-so-common unexpected hills.

Throughout September, both the boys’ and girls’ teams’ times dropped substantially. Personal records were being achieved by the meet, despite the difficulty or terrain of the course – a feat that not many can claim to have conquered. The races held at Covered Bridge and Georgia International Horse Park resulted in outstanding times, as both courses were relatively flat and offered ideal footing (with the exception of the mountain towards the end of the Horse Park course).

In early October, the top 12 runners (13 for girls) from each team were given the opportunity to race in a highly competitive meet in Cary, North Carolina at the Great American Cross Country Festival. This trip proved to be much more successful this year than it did the previous year, as Hurricane Matthew decided to learn from its predecessor, Hurricane Joaquin, and refrained from perusing the east coast the same weekend as a much-awaited cross country race.

While in North Carolina, the 25 runners were provided with a personal tour of the University of North Carolina, courtesy of girls’ assistant coach, Ann Barnett. The race itself produced immaculate results, with nearly all of the Wesleyan runners attaining lifetime personal records.

The Wolves were able to run in a much more low-pressure meet at the Wesleyan’s second invitational, which resulted in a number of course personal records. Most recently, Wesleyan competed at the Nike/Fleet Feed Coach Wood Invitational, a meet that has been attended by the Wolves for many years, due to the excellent competition it offers. Many runners were able to get in a solid season record and help lead the team to a solid standing, with the girls finishing sixth out of 20 teams.

Though they work behind the scenes, such accomplishments could not have been achieved without the brilliant expertise and constant support of the Wesleyan cross country coaches, Chad McDaniel, Chris Yoder, Josh Smith, Jason Scheer, Megan Trotter, Laura Carver, Macey Sims, Abby Johnson and Ann Barnett. These faculty members willingly give up their afternoons and Saturday mornings to lead high school students in cross country practices and meets, a deed that should not go unnoticed.

Between Yoder’s strategically planned practices and McDaniel’s course patrol, the Wolves have inevitably improved throughout the season.

With two more races before the state cross country meet on Nov. 4, the Wolves are looking strong. Last Chance at Carrollton and the Region Cross Country Meet in Athens will give runners who are fighting to run in the state meet an opportunity to leave it all on the course and try to earn a spot as a top seven runner.

Coach Smith said, “Single A has a lot of really great teams- teams that look a lot like us [with] one or two really good runners [and] a pack of runners that are really good behind those two runners.”

The boys have a decent chance of becoming state champions, but Smith said, “It comes down to three teams: Wesleyan, Landmark, and Hebron.”

The boys will have to kick into the next level in order to perform to their full potential and possibly swipe the state title. Whatever the outcome may be, Smith said that the boys are “[working] harder than I think I ever have seen them work in the four seasons that I’ve been a coach.”

As for the girls’ team, the state title is looking like a slightly less-attainable goal because of Landmark’s strong girls’ team, with a number of girls running a 5k in the 18 minute range.

However, the Wesleyan girls will be pushing for a second place finish, competing with Hebron and Darlington. The Wolves have been successful in creating a strong pack that runs excellent times, so hopefully this tactic will lead them to a runner-up victory.

This cross country season has been one like no other. The senior captains have done an excellent job in terms of encouragement and leadership on the team. Every runner, despite the times they record, feel as though they are a valuable aspect of the team, thanks to the captains, coaches and fellow team mates.

Senior captain, Sophia Kidder said, “I felt that we had a very strong team effort this season in cross country which led to many great race performances.”

 

Community Reaction to Clown Sightings

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For years, clown suits have been used as popular Halloween costumes, but this year the so-called funny costume has been taken to a new level of creepiness. Since the end of August, people dressed in clown costumes have been sighted in different states tormenting children, students and even adults.

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New Clubs Allow Lower School Students to Explore

in Features by

From baking delicious treats to running triathlons and learning new computer programs, the lower school has a new list of entertaining after school activities every day.

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Falling in Love with Fall

in Backpage by

Fall is undeniably the best season. There are countless activities to enjoy. How could someone not fall in love with fall?

Some of my favorite fall activities are the simplest. Cuddling up in a warm blanket with a big bowl of popcorn while watching “Gilmore Girls” might be my personal favorite activity, but other activities include jumping in a leaf pile. I mean come on! How classic is that?

Spencer Sutlive- Payton Kaloper enjoys jumping in a leaf pile
Payton Kaloper enjoys jumping in a leaf pile. Spencer Sutlive.

Pumpkin carving is also a great way to enjoy what fall has to offer. There is pumpkin everything these days. Although pumpkins have become synonymous with fall, pumpkin carving has been traditionally associated with the fall season. Recently, the Wesleyan high school cross country teams enjoyed a fun pumpkin-carving party.

Senior Emma Preston, high school teacher Payton Kaloper-Megan Trotter and Coach Smith’s daughter, Molly, smile and laugh while carving their cute pumpkin design.
Senior Emma Preston, high school teacher Megan Trotter and Coach Josh Smith’s daughter, Molly, smile and laugh while carving their cute pumpkin design. Payton Kaloper.

While pumpkin carving might be enjoyable for most, one can never go wrong getting cozy up to a warm, crackling fire. Whether it may be the roasting of marshmallows to make s’mores or sitting with boots and a beanie with a loved one by your side, an aesthetic bonfire will never go out of style.

Payton Kaloper- Sitting by the warm fire with friends
Sitting by the warm fire with friends. Payton Kaloper.

There are also many cute fall arts and crafts, like making the perfect bird feeder. This is probably one of the easiest fall crafts. All you need is a pine cone, a few tablespoons of peanut butter, roughly a half a cup of bird seed and a string to hang the bird feeder. First, tie the string around one side of the pine cone, then coat is with as much peanut butter as possible, after that, you drench it in bird seeds. This is so easy and definitely kid-friendly.

Payton Kaloper- The pine cone bird feeder steps
The pine cone bird feeder steps. Payton Kaloper.

Car rides through scenic routes are exciting especially with good friends. The best thing about fall drives, in the south especially is, being able to notice the changing of the leaves. This is truly God’s creation at work.

Junior Abbie Blauser enjoys a long car ride with friends. Payton Kaloper.
Junior Abbie Blauser enjoys a long car ride with friends. Payton Kaloper.

Soaking up some Vitamin D while enjoying some tasty southern comfort foods and a candle is a perfect way to enjoy the autumnal outdoors. Some fall food may include: pumpkin pie, apple pie, chili, mashed potatoes, grilled cheese or apple cider!

Payton Kaloper sits and enjoys her picnic. Jake Kaloper
Payton Kaloper sits and enjoys her picnic. Jake Kaloper.

If you are looking for fun ways to enjoy fall, refer back to this easy list. You’re welcome to interpret it your own way!

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New Members Inducted into National Honor Society

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The National Honor Society, established in 1921, has been annually working to recognize outstanding high school students from all over the nation.

The Wesleyan chapter was founded primarily to increase desires to serve the school, boost enthusiasm for scholarships, promote leadership opportunities and encourage character development within the student body at Wesleyan.

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