Howard M. Laws Summer Cross Country 5K Series: Race 4 (TEAM RACE) (Review)

Left to right: J. Deitrich, Collins, Leauby, B. Deitrich,
Rippon, Coach Paul Shirley, Schneider, Pozsonyi

The fourth Laws 5K race was held yesterday evening and was the series' annual team race. The Red Lion and Tall Oaks runners formed a joint team in representation of the upcoming season's partnership; Michael Collins ('16) represented Red Lion, while Joshua Deitrich ('19), Benjamin Schneider ('17), Calvin Pozsonyi ('17), Brandan Leauby ('18), Katie Rippon ('20), and Bryan Deitrich represented Tall Oaks. 

Collins ran the fastest time of the team and finished sixth overall; J. Deitrich finished 13th, the highest finisher among TOCS. Schneider, who ran a personal best time for the series at 22:11, finished 27th, with Pozsonyi 25 seconds behind in 35th. B. Deitrich edged out Leauby; the former finished 63rd, two spots ahead of the latter. Finally, Rippon finished 73rd overall in her series debut.

Given the team-focus of the event, the fourth race also saw the highest overall attendance for the series so far this season. Nine teams competed in the event, with the Red Lion/Tall Oaks "superteam" finishing sixth.

Collins (via Instagram): "Passing the Red Lion XC mantle to this group of guys (and one girl). Excited to see them carry on the tradition!"

Howard M. Laws Summer Cross Country 5K Series: Race 4 (TEAM RACE) (Preview)

First of all, thank you to Calvin for joining me on a nice, easy run this morning. I will try to give a more advanced notice for the next captain's run, which will hopefully be sometime next week.

As for tomorrow, this is the series' annual team race. Red Lion's Michael Collins ('16) has graciously offered to help recruit some RLCA runners and form a Red Lion/Tall Oaks "superteam" for the race (which is appropriate given our partnership). With that, we need to put out a call to you all to add as many participants to the team as we can. If you are interested in running tomorrow and your schedule allows it, we would love for you to come out and join us for this race.

Thanks,
Benjamin Schneider

Howard M. Laws Summer Cross Country 5K Series: Race 3 (Review)

Joshua Deitrich (pictured in 2014)
led the way for the TOCS, albeit with
a slower pace than he ran in Race 1.
(Photo: TOCS Facebook)

EDITOR'S NOTE: I apologize for the delay and brevity of this post. Due to time constraints, I was unable to write a preview and was also unable to get an official copy of the results before we left, but I will do my best to fill you all in on the race.


The third Laws 5K race was held yesterday evening, with Joshua Deitrich ('19), Benjamin Schneider ('17), Spencer Armstrong ('19), and Brandan Leauby ('18) competing in the male HS division. Joshua's father, Bryan Deitrich, returned to participate in the open division. J. Deitrich returned from injury to claim the fastest time of the race among TOCS runners. The heat and humidity, however, provided tough conditions once again for the entire field of runners; Leauby commented, "I'm not sure anyone met their goal today."

Schneider (via Instagram): "Very disappointing race today. Really wasn't expecting the heat to affect me this much. Maybe something else was slowing me down; I don't know. Congrats to Josh, Brandan, and [Spencer] on their finishes as well."

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.