Hello everyone!
I'm Katie Rippon, a rising senior at Delaware Valley Classical School and varsity cross-country runner for the DVCS Titans. I thoroughly enjoyed my first experience writing for the team blog last season, and I am looking forward to doing it again.
I wanted to go ahead and let you all know about the Back to School Fundraiser 5k to benefit Titans Athletics. The race will take place at Lums Pond State Park on August 24th at 9 am, and prizes will be awarded to the winners of several age groups. If you're interested, contact David Corbett (dcorbett@dvclassical.org). The cost is only $20 if you pre-register, or $25 the day of race. Runners and walkers of all ages are welcome, so please come join us!
Our first practice as a team is just over a week away! I am excited to be back to running with both new and returning runners. DVCS students, please consider running XC this year if you are not already. It is not too late to sign up, and running for the team is a really great experience, regardless of your speed or athletic capabilities. Personally, I started as a beginner in ninth grade. Since then, I have grown so much, not just as a runner and teammate, but as a person.
Well, that concludes this introductory post! I am really looking forward to seeing what God will do with our team in the upcoming season. Stay tuned for more team updates and race results as the season progresses! Go Titans!
Monday, August 5, 2019
Friday, December 21, 2018
Original Sonnet
Original Sonnet: "Cross Country" by Katie Rippon
The school bus leaves the campus right on time
to travel to a scenic place. The bus
some students board; up dirty steps they climb.
In God alone this young sports team does trust.
The team has nineteen students; I am one.
Arriving at the destination, we
unload, hang out, warm up, and then we run:
the whistle blows; the gun is shot; we're free.
I go out hard, then settle in. My heart
beats fast, but I press on. I'm feeling strong.
I finish well; contributing my part.
We runners race, enduring distance long.
I love cross country for the atmosphere:
encouragement and joy from teammates dear.
[This is an original sonnet written by Katie Rippon ('20) for an 11th grade British Literature assignment at Tall Oaks.]
The school bus leaves the campus right on time
to travel to a scenic place. The bus
some students board; up dirty steps they climb.
In God alone this young sports team does trust.
The team has nineteen students; I am one.
Arriving at the destination, we
unload, hang out, warm up, and then we run:
the whistle blows; the gun is shot; we're free.
I go out hard, then settle in. My heart
beats fast, but I press on. I'm feeling strong.
I finish well; contributing my part.
We runners race, enduring distance long.
I love cross country for the atmosphere:
encouragement and joy from teammates dear.
[This is an original sonnet written by Katie Rippon ('20) for an 11th grade British Literature assignment at Tall Oaks.]
Wednesday, November 21, 2018
2018 Final Notes and End-of-Season Reflections
This past Saturday marked the official end of the 2018 season with a party at the Hollisters' home. There was lots of delicious food to be eaten, including everything from ribs and salad to s'mores for dessert. Coach Shirley presented the runners with pins and handed out awards, and once again recognized every senior and their contributions to the team throughout the course of their cross-country careers.
The Top Male Runner and Top Female Runner Awards went to Joshua Deitrich ('19) and Hannah Ye ('21). Josh finished first on the team in every race this season except one. These awards were based on the points awarded after each race, and also on the consistency of these runners to finish top on the team. Andrew Tanyous ('22) and Abi Phillips ('21) received the Most Improved Runner Awards and were recognized for their outstanding progress this season. The Coaches' Awards went to Faith Hollister ('22) and Captain Micah Pope ('19) for their significant contributions to the team, either in scoring or in leadership.
As Coach said, while our team did not necessarily meet our goals for the season, we faced a lot of injury and adversity. We worked through it and rested when necessary, and most of us were able to finish out the season strong. We will be sad to see our five amazing seniors go, but we are looking forward to getting some new runners coming up from the middle school team.
Personally, I've enjoyed seeing our team grow stronger this season. I couldn't run most of the season, but I learned a lot just by being out there with the team every day. I am so grateful to the coaches and the team for constant encouragement from the first day of practice when I showed up in a boot to the final race where I was happy to be able to finish. I used to run with the intention of always improving, and I had the feeling of failure whenever a race did not go as expected. I used to get so nervous before every race; always dwelling on the 'what-ifs.' Being forced to take a break from running helped me see it differently. I've realized just how blessed I am to even have the ability and the opportunity to run. I've learned that cross country isn't just about running, but about encouraging your teammates, being there for them when they're struggling, and praying for them. Running has shaped me in ways I never imagined it would.
I guess that's a wrap! Thank you to all the parents, for cheering for and supporting each and every one of us runners; to Coach Paul Shirley and Coach Megan Gerhart, for preparing us, motivating us, listening to us, and pushing us to always do our best to the honor and glory of God; and to all my wonderful teammates, for your constant encouragement and all your contributions to the team's character and positive attitude in the face of adversity. I am sad to see our seniors go, but I am looking forward to coming back and running next year. I cannot wait to see what God has in store for Red Lion Cross Country!
Katie
"Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations."
-- Psalm 100 (ESV)
The Top Male Runner and Top Female Runner Awards went to Joshua Deitrich ('19) and Hannah Ye ('21). Josh finished first on the team in every race this season except one. These awards were based on the points awarded after each race, and also on the consistency of these runners to finish top on the team. Andrew Tanyous ('22) and Abi Phillips ('21) received the Most Improved Runner Awards and were recognized for their outstanding progress this season. The Coaches' Awards went to Faith Hollister ('22) and Captain Micah Pope ('19) for their significant contributions to the team, either in scoring or in leadership.
As Coach said, while our team did not necessarily meet our goals for the season, we faced a lot of injury and adversity. We worked through it and rested when necessary, and most of us were able to finish out the season strong. We will be sad to see our five amazing seniors go, but we are looking forward to getting some new runners coming up from the middle school team.
Personally, I've enjoyed seeing our team grow stronger this season. I couldn't run most of the season, but I learned a lot just by being out there with the team every day. I am so grateful to the coaches and the team for constant encouragement from the first day of practice when I showed up in a boot to the final race where I was happy to be able to finish. I used to run with the intention of always improving, and I had the feeling of failure whenever a race did not go as expected. I used to get so nervous before every race; always dwelling on the 'what-ifs.' Being forced to take a break from running helped me see it differently. I've realized just how blessed I am to even have the ability and the opportunity to run. I've learned that cross country isn't just about running, but about encouraging your teammates, being there for them when they're struggling, and praying for them. Running has shaped me in ways I never imagined it would.
I guess that's a wrap! Thank you to all the parents, for cheering for and supporting each and every one of us runners; to Coach Paul Shirley and Coach Megan Gerhart, for preparing us, motivating us, listening to us, and pushing us to always do our best to the honor and glory of God; and to all my wonderful teammates, for your constant encouragement and all your contributions to the team's character and positive attitude in the face of adversity. I am sad to see our seniors go, but I am looking forward to coming back and running next year. I cannot wait to see what God has in store for Red Lion Cross Country!
Katie
"Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations."
-- Psalm 100 (ESV)
Monday, November 19, 2018
2018 Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association (DIAA) Championships
This past Saturday, November 10th, was the DIAA Championships, our final race of the season. The race was held at Brandywine Creek State Park. Despite the cold temperatures, winds above 20 miles per hour, and a muddy course, our runners did their best and finished out the season well. Red Lion competed in two races this meet: the Division II Varsity Girls' race and the Division II Varsity Boys' race.
The Varsity Girls' race was first, starting at 1:00 p.m. Faith Hollister ('22) finished the race in 54th place overall, running 24:23. Hannah Ye ('21) finished just over a minute behind in 73rd place. Captain Katelyn Walker ('19) ran a time of 26:27, placing her in 91st, and Fiona Fawcett ('22) followed five places behind her in 26:33. Katie Rippon ('20) finished in 127th place overall in 28:59. Abi Phillips ('21) started the race but fell in the first mile and was unable to finish, and Cathy Nicholson ('21) was unable to compete due to a stress fracture. Full race results can be seen here. The girls team placed 15th overall.
The Varsity Boys' race went off at 3:00 p.m. Joshua Deitrich ('19) finished in 75th place overall with a time of 20:38. Dennis Nicholson ('19) ran the race in just under 22 minutes and in 107th place. Spencer Armstrong ('19) finished in 127th place with a time of 22:58. Marc Sherman ('20), Captain Micah Pope ('19), Ryan Cooper ('21), and Richard Turley ('22) followed behind in 136th, 147th, 160th, and 163rd places respectively. Full race results can be found here. The boys finished in 20th place overall.
The Varsity Girls' race was first, starting at 1:00 p.m. Faith Hollister ('22) finished the race in 54th place overall, running 24:23. Hannah Ye ('21) finished just over a minute behind in 73rd place. Captain Katelyn Walker ('19) ran a time of 26:27, placing her in 91st, and Fiona Fawcett ('22) followed five places behind her in 26:33. Katie Rippon ('20) finished in 127th place overall in 28:59. Abi Phillips ('21) started the race but fell in the first mile and was unable to finish, and Cathy Nicholson ('21) was unable to compete due to a stress fracture. Full race results can be seen here. The girls team placed 15th overall.
The Varsity Boys' race went off at 3:00 p.m. Joshua Deitrich ('19) finished in 75th place overall with a time of 20:38. Dennis Nicholson ('19) ran the race in just under 22 minutes and in 107th place. Spencer Armstrong ('19) finished in 127th place with a time of 22:58. Marc Sherman ('20), Captain Micah Pope ('19), Ryan Cooper ('21), and Richard Turley ('22) followed behind in 136th, 147th, 160th, and 163rd places respectively. Full race results can be found here. The boys finished in 20th place overall.
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| Three of the four senior boys before the start of the race (Photo: Mr. Bryan Deitrich) |
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| The team meeting after the race (Photo: Mr. Bryan Deitrich) |
For the last race of the season, we gave it all we had. We worked hard through injury and adversity and did our best. While we were not as fast as we wanted to be and did not end up where we though we would in the final meet, we finished out the season strong.
Friday, November 16, 2018
2018 New Castle County Championships
Saturday, November 3rd was the New Castle Country Championships. The races were held at the Winterthur Estate. We ran our best despite the challenge of a hilly, two-lap course. The windy weather may have presented even more of a difficulty, but it also made for some cooler temperatures. In this race, the top six boys and girls ran in their respective varsity races, and we entered four boys in the JV boys' race.
The JV boys' race was the first race we in which Red Lion competed. Ryan Cooper ('21) finished in 22:00 and 153rd place overall. This time was only two seconds slower than Cooper's all-time personal best. Richard Turley ('22) finished in 250th place overall with a time of 24:00, and Adam Rao ('20) finished in 24:31 and came in 262nd place. John Cusatis ('22) finished in 28:42, putting him in 336th place. Full results can be found here. Unfortunately, the JV boys' race results are not accurate according to our runners and Coach Shirley, so the actual times and places of our runners may have been different than those that were recorded and published online.
The varsity girls' race was the next. Faith Hollister ('22) finished in 23:15 and 73rd place overall. Hannah Ye ('21) followed in 24:21 and 98th place. Abi Phillips ('21) finished in 25:30 and 120th place overall, and Captain Katelyn Walker ('19) followed six places behind her in 25:44. Fiona Fawcett ('22) ran 26:41 and placed 148th, and Katie Rippon followed in 154th place. Full results can be found here. Red Lion finished in 20th place overall.
The varsity boys' race was the last of the meet. Joshua Deitrich ('19) finished 56th overall, running 18:42. Dennis Nicholson ('19) finished in 20:34 and 131st place. Andrew Tanyous ('22) finished in 157th place, and Marc Sherman ('20) followed ten places behind him. Michael Gasorek ('22) and Captain Micah Pope ('19) finished the race in 178th and 193rd places, respectively. Full race results can be found here. The Red Lion boys' team finished in 24th place overall.
This was a challenging race, but many of our runners posted solid times. After the race, we stopped at Coach Boyd's house for tacos and pie. Before the race, Coach Shirley told the team to "run for the tacos," which is exactly what we did. I have enjoyed seeing the strong relationships our team has formed this season, and many of us agreed that celebrating the second to last race of the season with tacos made the race worth it.
The JV boys' race was the first race we in which Red Lion competed. Ryan Cooper ('21) finished in 22:00 and 153rd place overall. This time was only two seconds slower than Cooper's all-time personal best. Richard Turley ('22) finished in 250th place overall with a time of 24:00, and Adam Rao ('20) finished in 24:31 and came in 262nd place. John Cusatis ('22) finished in 28:42, putting him in 336th place. Full results can be found here. Unfortunately, the JV boys' race results are not accurate according to our runners and Coach Shirley, so the actual times and places of our runners may have been different than those that were recorded and published online.
The varsity girls' race was the next. Faith Hollister ('22) finished in 23:15 and 73rd place overall. Hannah Ye ('21) followed in 24:21 and 98th place. Abi Phillips ('21) finished in 25:30 and 120th place overall, and Captain Katelyn Walker ('19) followed six places behind her in 25:44. Fiona Fawcett ('22) ran 26:41 and placed 148th, and Katie Rippon followed in 154th place. Full results can be found here. Red Lion finished in 20th place overall.
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| The start of the varsity girls' race. (Photo: Mr. Bryan Deitrich) |
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| Joshua Deitrich ('19) finished the race in a time of 18:42. (Photo: Mr. Bryan Deitrich) |
Saturday, October 27, 2018
2018 Diamond State Athletic Conference Championships
October 25 marked the first of three championship races this season, the Diamond State Athletic Conference (DSAC) Championship. Red Lion hosted the meet on our home course at Lums Pond State Park. The cool, sunny weather made for wonderful racing conditions. There were four separate races: varsity girls, varsity boys, junior varsity girls, and junior varsity boys. Red Lion participated in the two varsity races.
The varsity boys' race was first, going off at 3:30 p.m. Andrew Avila, of the Charter School of Wilmington, won the race in 16:40. Spencer Armstrong ('19) came in first for Red Lion, running 20:21 and placing 45th overall. Despite being tripped early on in the race, Joshua Deitrich ('19) finished just one second behind him. Dennis Nicholson ('19) finished in 20:50, and in 53rd place overall. Andrew Tanyous ('22) and Marc Sherman ('20) ran times of 21:21 and 21:30, respectively. Michael Gasorek ('22), Captain Micah Pope ('19), Richard Turley ('22), Ryan Cooper ('21), and Seyram Gafrey ('21) followed, rounding out the ten Red Lion boys. Full race results can be found here.
The varsity girls' race started twenty-five minutes after the boys' race. The race was won by Newark Charter's Madi McWatters, who finished in 19:49. Red Lion's Hannah Ye ('21) finished in 26th place overall with a time of 22:53. She was followed by Faith Hollister ('22), who finished in 23:10 and placed 31st overall. Captain Katelyn Walker ('19) finished in 24:41, placing 44th overall, and Abi Phillips ('21) finished just fourteen seconds behind her in 46th place. Fiona Fawcett ('22) finished in 52nd place with a time of 25:45 in her first race back from a few weeks off due to a hip injury, and Katie Rippon ('20) finished in 63rd place overall, running 28:19. Full race results can be found here.
I can't believe we are so close to the end of the season. Our runners did their best today, even though we faced some tough competition. We have two more races left, which are the New Castle County Championship and the DIAA State Championship. We are starting to taper our workouts as we anticipate our final races, but we are also still putting our work in at practice. I have been very happy to see the improvements we've made as a team this season, and I hope that we stay strong and persevere through the end.
The varsity boys' race was first, going off at 3:30 p.m. Andrew Avila, of the Charter School of Wilmington, won the race in 16:40. Spencer Armstrong ('19) came in first for Red Lion, running 20:21 and placing 45th overall. Despite being tripped early on in the race, Joshua Deitrich ('19) finished just one second behind him. Dennis Nicholson ('19) finished in 20:50, and in 53rd place overall. Andrew Tanyous ('22) and Marc Sherman ('20) ran times of 21:21 and 21:30, respectively. Michael Gasorek ('22), Captain Micah Pope ('19), Richard Turley ('22), Ryan Cooper ('21), and Seyram Gafrey ('21) followed, rounding out the ten Red Lion boys. Full race results can be found here.
The varsity girls' race started twenty-five minutes after the boys' race. The race was won by Newark Charter's Madi McWatters, who finished in 19:49. Red Lion's Hannah Ye ('21) finished in 26th place overall with a time of 22:53. She was followed by Faith Hollister ('22), who finished in 23:10 and placed 31st overall. Captain Katelyn Walker ('19) finished in 24:41, placing 44th overall, and Abi Phillips ('21) finished just fourteen seconds behind her in 46th place. Fiona Fawcett ('22) finished in 52nd place with a time of 25:45 in her first race back from a few weeks off due to a hip injury, and Katie Rippon ('20) finished in 63rd place overall, running 28:19. Full race results can be found here.
I can't believe we are so close to the end of the season. Our runners did their best today, even though we faced some tough competition. We have two more races left, which are the New Castle County Championship and the DIAA State Championship. We are starting to taper our workouts as we anticipate our final races, but we are also still putting our work in at practice. I have been very happy to see the improvements we've made as a team this season, and I hope that we stay strong and persevere through the end.
Thursday, October 25, 2018
RLCA vs. Wilmington Christian School vs. First State Military Academy and Senior Night
This past Tuesday, October 16th, we hosted a tri-meet against Wilmington Christian School and First State Military Academy at Lums Pond. Cooler temperatures (and the fact that the course was only slightly muddy) made for excellent racing conditions.
For the Red Lion boys, Joshua Deitrich ('19) finished in 18:26, putting him in second place overall. Spencer Armstrong ('19) and Dennis Nicholson ('19) ran times of 21:24 and 21:25, respectively, to finish in eighth and ninth places overall. Michael Gasorek ('22), Andrew Tanyous ('22), Marc Sherman ('20), and Ryan Cooper ('21) rounded out Red Lion's top seven boys. Richard Turley ('22), Captain Micah Pope ('19), and Adam Rao ('20) all had strong performances, and Seyram Gaffrey ('21) ran a new personal best of 34:42.
Full results for the boys' race can be found here.
The girls' race was won by Hannah Ye ('21), who finished in 22:59. Faith Hollister ('22) placed second overall, running 23:33, and Captain Katelyn Walker ('19) finished fourth overall and third for Red Lion with a time of 24:54. Abi Phillips ('21) followed two places behind her in 25:58. Katie Rippon ('20) finished in 29:50, scoring as the fifth Red Lion girl. Fiona Fawcett ('22) and Cathy Nicholson ('21) were not able to run due to injury. Red Lion won the girls' race because they were the only complete team, with five girls running in this race. Full results can be found here.
As this was our last home meet of the season, we also recognized our seniors both on the line and in a team meeting following the race. Joshua Deitrich, Spencer Armstrong, Dennis Nicholson, Boys' Captain Micah Pope, and Girls' Captain Katelyn Walker were recognized for their contributions to the team through the years they have run with us. (I will add photos of the seniors as soon as I can.)
We are quickly approaching the end of the season. We only have a few more "hard workouts" and then we will begin to taper our training in preparation for the final races. Our next meet will be the Diamond State Athletic Conference Championship on October 25, which we will be hosting at Lums Pond. We are looking forward to the competition we will have there. Until then, we will continue working hard at practice in preparation for our final meets.
Full results for the boys' race can be found here.
The girls' race was won by Hannah Ye ('21), who finished in 22:59. Faith Hollister ('22) placed second overall, running 23:33, and Captain Katelyn Walker ('19) finished fourth overall and third for Red Lion with a time of 24:54. Abi Phillips ('21) followed two places behind her in 25:58. Katie Rippon ('20) finished in 29:50, scoring as the fifth Red Lion girl. Fiona Fawcett ('22) and Cathy Nicholson ('21) were not able to run due to injury. Red Lion won the girls' race because they were the only complete team, with five girls running in this race. Full results can be found here.
As this was our last home meet of the season, we also recognized our seniors both on the line and in a team meeting following the race. Joshua Deitrich, Spencer Armstrong, Dennis Nicholson, Boys' Captain Micah Pope, and Girls' Captain Katelyn Walker were recognized for their contributions to the team through the years they have run with us. (I will add photos of the seniors as soon as I can.)
We are quickly approaching the end of the season. We only have a few more "hard workouts" and then we will begin to taper our training in preparation for the final races. Our next meet will be the Diamond State Athletic Conference Championship on October 25, which we will be hosting at Lums Pond. We are looking forward to the competition we will have there. Until then, we will continue working hard at practice in preparation for our final meets.
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