Howard M. Laws Summer Cross Country 5K Series: Race 2 (Review)

Spencer Armstrong (left, pictured
in 2016) was a surprise entry
in the second event in the six-
race series.
(Photo: TOCS Facebook)

The second Laws 5K race took place this evening at Bellveue State Park. Tall Oaks, as expected, saw a limited showing with the combination of injures, weather, and the ACCS conferences in Atlanta, Georgia. Micah Pope ('19) was expected to run but also withdrew at the last minute. TOCS Varsity Boys XC runners Calvin Pozsonyi ('17) and Spencer Armstrong ('19) made their series debuts; however, with limited coverage of the race, results are not fully available. OnTheLineXC was able to talk to Pozsonyi for a bit after the race though.

"Spencer was around 29 minutes and I was 23:15. I don't [know] if it was the heat or just me, but the course felt brutal. It was really hot and since the course is in the sun a lot you could really feel the heat."

However, Pozsonyi also said he has "no idea" where he and Armstrong ended up in terms of finishing position.

Schneider follows Deitrich's lead, will not participate in Race 2

Hey guys, I've made an executive decision that even if the race happens, I will not be running tonight. The weather is going to be bad, with the storm hitting its peak right at the start of the race. Even if the storm moves through slower or faster than expected, it will still have a great effect on the course, which takes place mostly on the fields and trails of the park. All things considered, I've decided it makes more sense to get on the road earlier tonight so that I have more time to prepare for the various stops on my trip. I'm very disappointed, but I'm convinced skipping tonight's race, if there even is one, is the best decision for me and my family. Josh told me Micah is running though, so Micah, let me know what happens!

Breaking news: J. Deitrich scratched from Race 2

Joshua Deitrich ('19), who delivered the best run out of the TOCS community in the first Howard M. Laws Summer Cross Country 5K Series race, is out of the second with a leg injury. Deitrich confirmed the injury to Benjamin Schneider ('17) around 1:45 this afternoon.

"I'm coming but I can't run," Deitrich confirmed. "I hurt my leg. I got kneed in the thigh playing basketball." 

When asked of the severity of the injury, Deitrich answered, "We're not sure yet. It's either out of joint or really bruised, or I strained a muscle or something. It's swelled up a lot."

Filling in for Deitrich's absence will be Micah Pope ('19), who will be making his 2016 5K debut.

Howard M. Laws Summer Cross Country 5K Series: Race 2 (Preview)

First off, guys, let me make one thing clear. Don't expect much detail from these race previews. My goal with these is just to give you all insight as to what our plans are for the next race. The reviews are where you're going to find most of your information and will be written in the style of a third-person post-race article.

Now, as for the purpose of this post, the second race in the Howard M. Laws Summer Cross Country 5K Series is scheduled to take place tonight; however, weather could be an issue around race time. I am still planning to drive out, unless we get notification that the race has been postponed/canceled. As far as I know, Josh, (maybe) Micah and I are planning to run at the bare minimum. I personally am leaving for a stop at Davidson College on my way to ACCS as soon as I cross the finish line. So unless Josh takes me up on my offer to let him do the race review, it will be a while (likely Thursday) before it is be posted. Of course, if the race is postponed or canceled, we will let you know as well.

Race time is 6:30. More to come.

Howard M. Laws Summer Cross Country 5K Series: Race 1 (Review)

Joshua Deitrich (pictured in 2014)
believes he finished the 5K course in
around 20 minutes and 50 seconds.
(Photo: TOCS Facebook)

The first of six Howard M. Laws Summer Cross Country 5K Series is in the books. Brendan Malone of Wilmington Christian School placed second overall and won the male high school division. Joshua Deitrich ('19) delivered the fastest run of the Tall Oaks team members, finishing fourth overall and second in the male high school division. Other TOCS representatives, Benjamin Schneider ('17), Brandan Leauby ('18), and Joshua's father, Bryan Deitrich, finished tenth, 17th, and 18th overall respectively. The runners were all generally satisfied with their performances given the humid weather and difficult conditions; Leauby added that the course felt "slow."

J. Deitrich: "I guess I would say it was a great first race. It was really good for me to be able to run with other people. The course is a great training course and is something I look forward to running on and seeing my progress throughout the rest of the summer."

Howard M. Laws Summer Cross Country 5K Series: Race 1 (Preview)

Reminder to all that the first race in the Laws 5K Series is tonight at 6:30 pm at Bellevue State Park. The series got some attention last year from Delaware Online and has been praised by many as a great way for experienced cross-country runners in particular to maintain their base in the offseason.

Registration opens at 5:30 and will remain open until 6:15. Keep in mind that there are $4 and $8 park entry fees for in-state and out-of-state vehicles respectively (more information can be found here), as well as a $5 race registration fee. Those wishing to register for the entire six-race series can save $5 by paying $25 for all six races.

In other news, it appears there will be a cross-country interest meeting at Red Lion on Monday, June 13 at 6:00 pm. I personally will be at a college camp at Waynesburg University; however, I highly encourage all of you to at least find one family member who can attend if you cannot do so yourself.

As for tonight, I hope to see many of you at the race!

Shirley: "I am the coach of the boys team"

For months, it has been "all but official."

Now, it actually is official.

Rev. Paul Shirley confirmed today that he will continue his role as varsity cross-country coach as Tall Oaks joins Red Lion's cross-country team. Shirley joined Tall Oaks' cross country team in 2012 with then-head coach Jeff Silver and has been head coach over all four divisions of the team (Middle School Girls and Boys and Varsity Girls and Boys) since 2013. His trademark command "On the Line!" has become popular among his runners and is also the inspiration for the name of this blog.

Shirley with his wife, Elyse
(Photo: Grace Community Church at Wilmington)

"It is official as of this week; I am the coach of the boys team," Shirley wrote in an email around 3:00 pm this afternoon. "Nicki Pizzulli [current RLCA XC coach] will be coaching the girls team; however, there will be a lot of overlap between teams.

"Nicki and I are working to blend the programs as much as possible and that is a question we have not addressed quite yet (there's a bunch to do!). I'll get you info as I have it. Please feel free to disseminate any info you receive from me."

Shirley has lifted the performance of Tall Oaks' cross-country program immensely over the past few seasons. Under Shirley, runners Benjamin Schneider ('17), Jessica Silver ('18), Joshua Deitrich ('19), Matteo D'Andrea ('20), and Faith Hollister ('22) have all won meets in their respective divisions. The Varsity Boys team has also finished second in the MIL behind Tome School each of the past four seasons, while the Varsity Girls came within a single point of winning the championship in 2015.

Welcome

Hey guys, it's me, Benjamin Schneider. Sports fan, cross-country runner, and a young man full of random, useless, trivial information that nobody cares about.

You may know me from my first blog, Schneider Speaks, which has not taken off like I thought it would. (I'd say I'm still at least as active as our former upper school principal, but with two new posts the last two days, I'm not sure that's true anymore.) I'm still going to keep that blog up and running and may post something about my upcoming camp at Waynesburg University, but time has gotten away from me and I've found other things to keep me occupied than writing there.

This blog, however, will be different (at least I hope). I'm going to limit this blog to the topic of running, and running only. I will keep you updated on my training this offseason and, eventually, the XC season itself as we prepare to join forces with Red Lion Christian Academy.

Although it's only early June, there is already some exiting news, which I hope to share later today. I'll also share why I've chosen to call this thing "On the Line." (Actually, "http://ontheline.blogspot.com" was already taken by another runner who hasn't written a single post since 2002. With that, I have to settle for http://onthelinexc.blogspot.com. Whatever. You all know what "XC" means...)

So, unlike my first blog, this one may be worth adding to your watchlist. Stay tuned.