Coach Paulson pinning on Eric's number before the race.
"Any active sportsman has to be very focused;
you've got to be in the right frame of mind.
If your energy is diverted in various directions,
you do not achieve the results.
I need to know when to switch on and switch off:
and the rest of the things happen around that."
~~Sachin Tendulkar
As a sophomore,
Tuscola's Eric Ponder placed 55th in the 2012 Illinois IHSA Cross Country State Championships.
Eric returned with something to prove,
and prove he did.
This year he dug deep to earn his 5th place finish.
He led the pack through much of the race,
but racing against runners he had never met,
and competing against the same spirit within the top four boys,
he finished fifth with nothing left,
having given his "All".
We are proud of the year you have had, Eric,
and have enjoyed watching you and your teammates train and run.
Tomorrow begins a new year to train for the dreams that you have ahead of you...
~Nancy ~ 312/365
Tuscola's Eric Ponder placed 55th in the 2012 Illinois IHSA Cross Country State Championships.
Eric returned with something to prove,
and prove he did.
This year he dug deep to earn his 5th place finish.
He led the pack through much of the race,
but racing against runners he had never met,
and competing against the same spirit within the top four boys,
he finished fifth with nothing left,
having given his "All".
We are proud of the year you have had, Eric,
and have enjoyed watching you and your teammates train and run.
Tomorrow begins a new year to train for the dreams that you have ahead of you...
~Nancy ~ 312/365
As a final note,
I need to give credit to the coaches,
Kristi Paulson and Shannon Smith.
Their smiles in the pictures say it all.
As with most coaches,
their work and dedication did not just start at the beginning of the season,
nor does it end with this race.
And Shannon.
Yes, she is my daughter.
She ran cross-country, has continued to run, and as a volunteer coach,
has run right next to these kids leading by example.
I love you, Girl...
I need to give credit to the coaches,
Kristi Paulson and Shannon Smith.
Their smiles in the pictures say it all.
As with most coaches,
their work and dedication did not just start at the beginning of the season,
nor does it end with this race.
And Shannon.
Yes, she is my daughter.
She ran cross-country, has continued to run, and as a volunteer coach,
has run right next to these kids leading by example.
I love you, Girl...
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