Practice Schedule, Rest of Week 6/18-6/21

THURS 6/18 – PAUL VI, 6:30PM

FRI 6/19 – PAUL VI, 6:30PM

SAT 6/20 – HADDONFIELD HS (click on directions tab), 10AM

SUN 6/21 – CAMDEN COUNTY COLLEGE, 9AM

Practice is still on!

Despite the ill-timed coastal flood warning – we will go ahead with practice! So please bring dry clothes, guys. Nobody should get a cold from a little rain. The barbeque will be held under a gazebo at Newton Lake Park (of course it’s a small one…).

Coach

REMINDER: Summer Conditioning Begins Tomorrow!

Freshmen, gettin' out quick

Wednesday, June 17th, 2009
At the “tree” in front of PVI
6:00PM

Barbeque to follow. Any alumni in the area that would like to stop by for a run, please do!

The work begins now gentlemen. I hope you’re ready.

- Coach

Congratulations to captain Alec Connelly!

Striding out.

This past week Alec – our only Paul VI XC senior – graduated and looks set to go on to bigger and better things. He then, kicking “senioritis” to the curb traveled to Egg Harbor Township amidst heat and a meet postponement to run a respectable PR of 4:36.9 in the Parochial A 1600.

Connelly’s cross country and track story is a tale of two years. His junior year was his first running. He came out purely to try things out. A bit out of shape, a bit not knowing what to expect. He was around a little during the summer but, for the most part, Alec didn’t factor into my plans for the rebuilding of Paul VI cross country. He started out running 23-24 minutes for the 5k but, by the end of the season, there were seeds of desire to dip under the 20 minute barrier. Agonizingly close, Connelly hit 20:09 to end the ‘07 season and I thought maybe – with a great spring and summer – he could crack the top 9 or 10 in 2008.

That was before Alec gave me winter updates of him increasing his mileage steadily, lifting, doing core on his own. I was impressed but most high school coaches know that they have “see to believe” before they get excited about progress. Sure enough, he delivered – improving steadily in the 1600 getting down to 5:01. That might have been the momentum shifter but I don’t think it was the outright turning point. THAT came in the summer.

Training with Mike Rankin and Tom Hoban and two XC converts, Brian Walter and Rich McKean, Connelly started to test himself day in and day out. He had slimmed down, toned up, started to do the right things and they were clearly paying off. By the end of the summer, the senior was up to 55-60 miles a week and – dare I say it – ready to lead a team into a turn-around year. His conduct throughout the summer led to him being named the second captain along with Mike Rankin. Once again, he broke through his limits to run as part of a pack that was vital to our success, finishing with All-Conference honors and a final 5k PR of 16:47. Not too shabby improving almost 8 minutes in a year and a half, is it?

As the lone senior, he set a course for himself and sailed it. Alec has opened up a whole new avenue in life through running and, on behalf of the Paul VI XC squad, I know we all wish him the best of luck and success in whatever he chooses to do. He will be figuring out his options at Gloucester County College next year and our hope is that he runs for them (and comes out to keep these guys honest this summer!). Please join us in saying congratulations Alec!

- Coach Bonnette, Coach Rankin, and the rest of the Paul VI Cross Country squad