See you in the spring

Shanice Rice is just one of many Edwardsville Track & Field athletes who will be featured when Photo of the Day returns in Spring 2009. Photo/Tom Atwood

The cross-country season has ended. And so, Photo of the Day's work is done for now. Thanks to everyone who helped this fall, especially those of you who took and sent photos: Diane Dudding, Larry Thompson, Beth Warnecke, Jeanne Cullen, Micky Burge, Holly Romann, Val Sweatt, Annette Mueller and others.

The POTD staff is taking a brief vacation until track season starts up. And it will be here before you know it. Thanks again!

Wildcats Slideshow

Photos by Holly Romann

Success is not what I value the most

by Courtney Smith
Class of '09

I feel the breeze on my face on a cool, crisp Saturday morning in October. I am so nervous, yet so calm. As I step to the line I hear the grass crunch beneath my spikes. I take a deep breath and am ready. The sound of the gun sends me on a three mile journey up and down hills, through woods and fields. I push my mental and physical barriers to the limits.

Cross country is so much more than a sport to me. I have run cross country for seven years and made many memories and had much success along the way. To be successful in cross country, you must have passion; an inner drive to give more than you think you have, every time out. No, things don’t always work out the way you want. “You can fight without ever winning, but you can never ever win without a fight.” I have been fortunate enough to experience success. And it sure is sweet. But the success I have had is not what I value most about the sport. I value the friendships I have made and the lessons I have learned. Through cross country I have learned to fight for what you want with everything you have. I have learned to be a caring teammate. I have learned how to take success, as well as deal with failures.

This season has held many unforgettable memories. Starting in the summer, we have trained with each other daily. Four months went by incredibly quickly. Coach’s lame jokes always brightened the day. And thanks Wever, for always making a comment about my breathe-right strip or tan line from my knee brace and how good they made me look. Brianna attacking me for Lizzie’s puppy chow at the Jerseyville meet was quite frightening. Getting to the school at 4:20 a.m. to travel to the East Peoria meet was probably the best morning ever! “Good morning sunshine!” Also at that meet, for the girls who hid in the corn stalks with me, that was super fun. And let’s not forget the crazy coach yelling, “There is FATIGUE on his face!” For those who traveled to Peoria when we spent the night, playing on the magical playground and running in the mystical forest was unforgettable. As well as having bets on if the guys we saw at the mall were cross-country guys or chess team members. The green vs. black team day at practice was super entertaining with everyone’s spirited attire. And let’s not forget “certain” jokes- I mean, after all, who likes fast girls and intellectuals? There were so many fun and crazy personalities on the team this year- I particularly enjoyed all the silliness in the freshmen- but they sure can do work when it's business time.

To Kristin and Abbey, my fellow captains: we have grown up together. I am so glad that we are more than just teammates: we are close friends. I feel like I can talk to either of you about anything and you will always be there, no matter what. Thank you. To Steph and Ellen: you two will be such great captains next year. I love you both! To the senior girls: thanks for a great season and good luck in college. To all the younger girls: thanks for making my senior year a great one! (and putting up with my bossiness all season) You girls are full of character and always fun to be around. Continue to work hard in both school and running and you will be pleasantly rewarded. To the guys: congratulations on a great season! To the ones I’ve known for awhile- thanks for the memories; and to the new ones - I guess you are pretty cool too - even if you are too lazy sometimes to put up the tent or pick up trash after the meets. To all the parents and the booster club: thanks for always supporting us; taking pictures, traveling to meets, selling concessions, and always making sure we had enough to eat and drink. To Coach P: you have done way more than could be expected of you for us girls. Thanks. Your “Good luck, Court” before a race means so much. You have helped us girls through some tough times. Thanks for making the girls and guys teams a family. To Coach Chapman: thank- you soo much for everything! You have made such a positive impact on my life. Thank you for always believing in me, motivating me, and always being proud of me - no matter what. You deserve much more credit that you get. I’m going to miss you.

Four years of high school has gone by so fast. I can still remember my first week at summer practice freshman year. It was nerve-wracking to say the least. And I was actually somewhat quiet - though it may be hard to believe. Cross helped me to meet some of the older girls in the school and actually be more than teammates with them - be their friend. I’m glad the younger girls now are more than teammates to me as well. I truly appreciate being able to be on the cross-country team and to have had so much success, made so many friends, and learned so many things along the way.

Ode to Coach

By Ryan Cullen
Class of '09
Unlike my other friends and peers on the cross country team, I have chosen a different way to express my feelings towards the sport, my friends, and coach. This was originally intended to be a video presentation, but was stopped by forces beyond our control. I hope this "speech" still conveys the same meaning in writing as it did in words.

Ode to Coach

As I reflect upon my years at the mighty EHS
I must sincerely state the truth, XC was the best

What made it best from all the sports and made the others lame
Coach George Patrylak is who I’d thank and should accept the fame.

I’d like to reflect on my last four years and stroll down memory lane
Sprint and not stroll down XC paths where faultlets inflicted pain.

My freshman year I arrived to practice shy and introverted
Soda runs and explosive puking, is this team truly perverted?

Summer runs, the distance, the heat, but what great host runs we had.
Oh Mom, did I ever say thanks for the 800 Toasted Ravs?

Mud Mountain, now that will always stay very close to my heart.
Varsity and pr goals that’s where they all did start.

My parents' yells at the hill of mile 1, well they fell on my deaf ears
But Mrs. Coach at mile 2, now that’s a voice I always fear.

The varsity jersey, although quite cute, was never on my back
Despite the miles, long runs and sweat, a 15 min PR I lacked

Perhaps my work ethics during winter runs could have been much better
Runs in the woods and snow ball fights may have hindered my varsity letter.

A stupid act, a toy grenade, as innocent as it may seem
My lack of thought, ignoring my parent’s pleas, suspension code of conduct it did seem rather mean

However, who should rally for my cause? My friends, my cross-country team
“Free Ryan” was the cry, and that support lifted the nightmarish dream

Jr and Sr year running open races I truly did not mind
The most important part of XC for me was the great friends I did find.

Running was great, but as a group we had other goals in sight
Oh no, not college, or GPA’s, but the impressive XC “Fight Night”

Parents cringed, girls screamed while watching the future Rockys
A bloody nose, a few blows to the head made our egos even more cocky

I could drone on in rhyming form about all the good times we had
But our greatest stories are better left unsaid or our families may get mad!

These memories, great times and friendships shared were inspired by one fact
Our great role model, friend and mentor, of course Coach Patrylak

How do you thank a man who’s had such a great life influence on me?
Thank You may fall short to express my gratitude to thee

Your countless hours spent with our team has truly shaped our lives
This is a sacrifice we know, for it’s time you missed with your family and wife

So now I leave the XC team and my future is unclear
I’ll pass the torch to “Lil Cullen” his work ethic I do not fear

We grew, we learned, we even matured on the track of EHS
But the bonds, the friends and Coach Patrylak are the memories I love the best!

Friendships hold a team together

by Devon Dudding
Class of '09

The past four years and the cross country seasons that have accompanied them have gone by much faster than I expected. I can still remember my freshman season as if it were yesterday. It has been a privilege to be able to build friendships year after year with some of the best teammates and coaches you could find in any school. Though I have never run for any other school, I know that Edwardsville is special. Nowhere else could you find another group of people so dedicated to this sport both on and off the field. I am so grateful for all of the work done to ensure that we were able to race on our home course as well as travel to far away invitationals. So, I would like to express my gratitude to all parents and members of the booster club who have spent their time and money to make it possible for our team to be as successful as it has been.

My cross country experience would be nothing without the people I have spent most of my time with for the past four years. I would like to state my deepest appreciation for all the teammates I have shared these experiences with. We have laughed, cried, and made memories together that I know I will never forget. There is a certain type of friendship that you can only get from running eight miles a day together or lining up at that starting line on race day. That is the kind of friendship that holds the team together.

Though it has seemed to be a short time from freshman to senior year, it has also been a bumpy one. For many of my seasons I have experienced injuries that have halted my training and threatened my season. But thanks to the help of many doctors, physical therapists, and trainers, I have been able to complete my senior year uninjured. So I would like to personally thank the late Mike Pohlman, Doug Pohlman, Chris Pifer, John Yetter, Chris Bugnitz , and Julie Czech for your time and devotion to getting me back to health.

I would also like to thank Coach Rogers for getting my running career started back in seventh grade, and Coach Anderson for the work he did for us this season.

Thank you to all Edwardsville runners who have run before me, runners like Stephen Pifer, Dustin Davis, and Eric Johannigmeier, whose example has inspired runners years after their graduation.

Thank you to Tom Atwood for your work on the Mud Mountain website and the pictures you take and a thank you to all the parents who took pictures of us this season. Those are always so enjoyable to see afterwards.

I would also like to state my appreciation for the administration and especially to Joe McNamara’s support and interest in our sport.

Thanks go especially to my parents and my family: you have done more for me than I could ever do by myself. Thank you for the perpetual support and the unfaltering love. Thank you, Mom, for always being at the finish line for me, and thank you, Dad, for being at my meets, even on crutches. And, I would like to thank my Grandparents for coming to my meets and showing their support in me and always being so giving. And, last I would like to thank Coach P and Rox. I really don’t have the space to write out all that I need to say, but this quote my Mom gave me illustrates it well:

“Gratitude is when memory is stored in the heart and not in the mind.”

Having the heart to go after a goal

By Eli Sweatt
Class of '09

Six years have passed since my arrival here and as it would seem my time is almost at an end. While things have changed and people have grown up, I know if given a chance I wouldn’t change a thing. Running is more than just a sport I partake in, but rather a lifestyle, a drug, and a place for me to just be me.

I still remember my first day when I could not even keep up for four miles with coach Chapman and the other four girls that showed up for summer practice that day. While embarrassing, it was the start of my involvement with a sport that would help change my life forever.

I would not understand the effects of it until my freshman year of high school. It was that year that I got to know someone who would become one of my heroes, my idea of success. I was socially awkward and not very fast but when Double D [Dustin Davis] received his all-state medal, I was determined to become as successful as him, if not more. Within that same year I had one of my favorite moments in running where I broke 5 minutes in the mile. On my final shot my freshman year in horrible conditions, as a 4th-ranked JV scrub, I ran a 4:56 and dropped exhausted into the arms of who else but Willie, my older brother, and Double D.

There are more people to thank than just Willie and Double D, although these were somewhat my mentors; I compared everything I did to these two and Jo Jo [Eric Johannigmeier]. Even in my own moments of doubt I know I can come to them for help and support. Another person who deserves a lot of gratitude would be Devon. I thank you for just always getting me. We may be as different as salt and pepper, but you always seemed to understand. Although running never seemed to go exactly our way these past four years, I feel honored that I helped finally get you that all-state medal in track that you have deserved since day one. While we may race against each other in college, I promise to give it my all, just like I have every time we have raced against each other these last couple of years.

I also need to thank all the parents and my other team members. The support of you guys is more important to me than you may realize. To Coach P, that stubborn, out of shape man that barks at us like some dog, forcing us to work for every little compliment that he gives, while dealing with his bad taste in jokes. The man who has made me realize that it isn’t a matter of being the fastest, strongest, or smartest, but believing in yourself and being happy about who you are. That also goes for Rox [Roxanne Patrylak] who even during my weak moments of non belief would be there dragging her kids along telling me that she believes in me and so I should do the same. Finally, my parents, from dealing with the costs that come along the way to respecting my boundaries.

From running I thought that getting all-state would change my life and make me something that I wanted to be. While I did not get all-state in cross, I did get a great group of friends, lots of people that care about me, and my life back. I truly feel that I owe my life to running. Because of it, I still stand here today, and have found the courage to believe that I should be happy with myself, too. While there are still some more of my dragons or demons to be slain, I have found it much easier to do it with a group of people supporting and helping me, than by myself. Jo Jo and I are proof out there that it isn’t natural ability that makes a great runner, but having the heart to go after a goal. It is not the destination but the journey to get there that creates who you are.

Sincerely,

Eli Sweatt


P.S.: While I will be leaving off to college, I just want all the scrubs to know that I’m here for anyone. Just call and I will be there, no matter what. That has just always been my way. I have been a part of a lot of ends, but this cross season was not one of them. This year was a beginning.

Forever grateful to you

by George Patrylak
EHS Cross Country Coach

With the end of the 2008 cross-country season comes another end in my coaching career. No, I’m not going to hang up the clip board, but something else has happened. In 2004 I had to make a decision. I was very happy with my teaching and coaching opportunities at Lincoln, but I always told myself that if I had another opportunity to work with my first group of boys I would seize that opportunity. When the opportunity presented itself at the beginning of 2004, I became scared about what to do. Not scared as in my ability, but scared because I knew both Lincoln and EHS had great athletes and I did not want either team to suffer due to the selection of coaches. It was a difficult decision for me to make, but I made it. This decision was made not only due to the athletes involved, but to fulfill my dream of following after Al Logsdon, my high school coach. I felt I had more to give at the high school level and wanted to give it my best shot. I also knew that Edwardsville is the place that I hope I will spend my entire career, so I had to leap when the opportunity came. The decision has worked, as Lincoln has a tremendous coach in Coach Rogers. I can not ask for a better coach to develop the middle school teams and help mold them into the fine young men and women they are to become. Coach Rogers, thank you for being such as great coach!

My appointment at EHS was met with mixed emotions. Those athletes that knew me from the past embraced me, but some athletes did not take kindly to a new regime. I know it was not personal, but those of you who will continue competing in college will always look back and compare your current training and mentoring to what you received in high school. I think I learned more in that first year of coaching at EHS than at any point of my career. Through trial and error I learned of the importance of treating everyone with respect, and learned to focus on each member of the team as a person first and an athlete second. For those in the past who felt differently, I am sorry.

Now it is 2008 and I just finished my fifth season as the head cross-country coach at EHS. This is a very special group to me, not because the team finished 7th at state, but this is the last group of men that I have any connections with from my middle school years. With that being said, I am glad I made the switch. I was able to sit back and watch you grow from a distance and then was blessed with four more years of coaching you.

For some of you, it seemed that I lost you once before. It was difficult when Lincoln and Liberty split, because we had no control over which school you attended. I know that several athletes that I held dear were taken from my team, but got to run for a phenomenal coach, coach Chapman. Now, as I start to think of you graduating, I am not scared at all. There are several reasons why. You have all grown into outstanding young men. People whom I admire and who parents are proud of. You will be successful adults in the future, this I am sure of. I also know that I will continue to see you throughout the years. The thing that makes me know that I have made a difference in your lives is the number of athletes that come back and visit the team at meets, send me text messages and emails at different times, and invite me to dinner when the team is all in town for break. Remember how much it means to you to see Cole, Brad, Bryan,
Dustin, Gil, JoJo, Willie, Charlie, Jarrod, Jake, Riley, and countless others come to practice or yelling for you at races. I’m sure you will continue to do the same for the younger guys on the team.

I remember thinking when I was in high school that some day I wish I could become a teacher and a coach. I also thought that I wish that I could become half the coach that Al Logsdon is. I know that, in my mind, I may never reach that goal. I had someone make the same comment to me this year, as they begin to embark on their own path through college, teaching and coaching. Here is the truth: you guys are already more than half the coach I am. I am the person I am because of the heart, character, determination, passion, friendships, and loyalty you have given to me. Just like there is a part of me that has rubbed off on all of you, you have all impacted me the same. It is your belief in me and my belief and respect in you that makes me the person and coach I am today. So, it is I who is forever grateful to you. Thank you for sharing your cross-country careers with me and best wishes in track and the future.

Coach P.

There are many more "firsts" out there for us!

by Tyler Cann

Cross country has meant so much more to me than just a sport, or something to do after school everyday. It has provided me with my best friends and the best memories of my life, and has taught me many things about myself. And to have it come to an end as quickly as it has is a very sad thought.

If it wasn't for cross country I would never have made the lasting friendships and memories I now possess and will never forget. Not only has it been fun and exciting to watch my teammates, my friends, and myself accomplish things we never thought possible, but when you as a runner cross that line, run through the chute, or finally conquer that menacing hill, you are overwhelmed with a sense of pride and self-fulfillment that you don't feel everyday.

Yes, I am sad that my career as an Edwardsville cross-country runner has come to an end so quickly for me and many other seniors, but I will continue to make the best of what we have left. And I want to thank everyone who has been there for me and the whole team over the past seven years that I have been running. Thank you so much to everyone who has given their time to the sport and to the team. I'm sure I speak for all of us when saying, it means sooo much to all of us! And lastly, I would like to thank Coach P and Rox for always being there for me and everyone when we needed them most. It may have been at the toughest part of the course where you just wanted to give up, and suddenly you hear this "crazy" woman screaming at the top of her lungs for you to run faster, or coming around a turn, looking like and feeling like your gonna die and getting that, oh-so-familiar, "Tyler! Look at me!" line from Coach P. And I just want to thank them for that again! Because not only were they there as coaches and supporters for all of us, but they were there for me and all of us when it mattered most! Thank you guys soo much!

And most of all I want to thank my family for being there for almost every meet, no matter where it was at, and for spending hundreds of dollars on countless pairs of Mizunos and spikes! Thank you! And to my little brother, who wasn't always at the meets, but wanted to be no matter what! Thank you guys so very much!

As Coach Anderson told me, referring to the state meet and the ending of my cross country career, "this may be the beginning of your many 'lasts,' but remember, there are many more 'firsts' out there for you!" And that goes for all of the seniors whose time as an Edwardsville Tiger cross-country runner has come to an end!

Awards banquet brings cross-country season to a close; coaches name 2008 MVP's

Seniors Devon Dudding and Eli Sweatt and freshman Garrett Sweatt were named co-MVP's of the boys varsity at Monday night's cross-country banquet. Photo/Diane Dudding


EHS girls coach Steve Chapman hands senior Courtney Smith her MVP award for 2008. Photo/Diane Dudding

The starting line of the rest of our lives

by Abbey Frese
Class of '09

(Editor's note: This is the first in a series of reflections from seniors looking back on their cross-country careers)

Like Coach Chapman told me on the last race of my season: “something has to end for a new beginning to start.” However it is just crazy to think my cross country seasons are done. When I was a freshman I thought the upper classmen had everything figured out. Yet I stand here today with a little more than a semester left of my high school career and I am more confused than when I began.
I would like to start out by thanking all the people who have helped me over the years: the Speichers, Smiths, Coach P., Roxie, Kierra and Gordan, The Parks and Cullens for their wonderful hospitality, Dalla Rivas, Mrs. Bertles for her amazing cookies, the Atwoods, the Hodges and of course my family. Thank you mom and dad for attending all my races and providing me with an endless supply of shoes, supplies and the support I needed.

The past seven years have been insane! And to think I started and my cross country career with one coach and ended with him as well. In middle school Mr. Chapman was such a caring and devoted coach, I just did not realize it until high school. The second he stepped in the whole atmosphere of our team changed. We worked hard so we would not let ourselves and teammates down. He made every practice a joy instead of a burden. Some of my favorite memories of coach are his impersonations of Pewee Herman, and him sprinting to beat Madi Pranger in a 100! He made us laugh so hard and I could not have asked for a better coach.

The intensity is what drew me to the sport and is one of the things I will miss the most. I will also miss the pre race bus rides, the mental preparing, the drills, spiking up and the get set before the go. I will miss Coach Chapman’s speeches right before we take off and the occasional cheesy joke. I will miss having all my closest friends cheering me on and hugs after every race. I will miss pinning that number on my jersey and calling myself an Edwardsville cross-country runner.

To the under classmen and future captains of the team, I can only say enjoy every race, bus ride and team dinner because they will be over before you know it. To my best friends Courtney, Kristin and Diane I could not have asked for a better three. I have learned that the friends that give you the most trouble are the ones that help you learn about yourself the most. We take care of each other and nothing tops that. You guys have been my best friend for seven years, and we know every thought, like and dislike by the look on each other’s faces. We never even have to say anything we just get it.

To all the guys I have to say you are what kept it interesting. Coach P. and you guys have the greatest relationship. I’ll never forget playing football in the pouring rain, the snow ball fights or the endless car T- ping wars! Finally, your break out year! You guys made it to state and placed 7th! I am so happy for all of you! What an amazing season for and amazing group of guys! Congratulations to you all!

I am not sure what I want to do in the future but I know who I want to be and I have been blessed with an amazingly supportive group of family and friends that have given me the tools and morals to succeed. I am leaving behind some of my fondest memories and a team of girls that I adore. How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard. I guess in some ways more than none, the senior class is not face to face with the starting line of a race, but more the starting line of the rest of our lives.

Thank you everyone!

Tigers savor seventh-place state finish

Senior cross-country runner Josh Lawson hoists Edwardsville flag following Saturday's state meet. Photo/Tom Atwood

Melissa Mazar, Meghan Ruddy, Abbey Frese and Sierra Goldsmith were bundled up (sort of), painted and prepared to support the boys varsity. Photo/Tom Atwood

Sadness and disappointment immediately following the season-ending race soon turned to celebration. Photo/Tom Atwood

A moment of prayer before the state final. Photo/Larry Thompson

Granite City's Aaron and Steven Werths pose with Devon Dudding at Detweiler Park Saturday. Photo/Diane Dudding