INSPIRATIONAL LETTER FROM COACH 2007
Runners, last year we had a lot of success. The Varsity Girls won the EBAL League Championship and placed 3rd in DI NCS. Alumni Douglas Whichard and Rebecca Paddack reached the CIF State Meet Championship. But that was last year. We need to focus on what we can accomplish this YEAR!
Our goal this year is to win EBAL and qualify for State at NCS for the boys and girls. You will not get there by taking the easy road. You cannot rely upon talent. The only way to achieve these goals is through dedicated, daily, HARD WORK.
“RUN TO WIN!” U.S. Olympic Marathon Silver Medalist, Meb Keflezighi, wrote this on a picture for me when my brother bumped into him at dinner one night. He explained that “running to win, simply means to always do your best.”
WINNING IS UNUSUAL. Most people never experience “winning.” There is only one team that can win a race. Why do we win? Because we are willing to take unusual action in order to succeed. This means that we are motivated to sacrifice, we are motivated to be diligent, and we are motivated to encourage each other.
Most likely, your parents, siblings, and friends will not understand you and your desire to run everyday. Distance running is a lifestyle. It requires discipline, perseverance, and sacrifice. For example, proper nutrition and sleep are in short supply for the average teenager. But you’re not average, you’re a CROSS COUNTRY RUNNER. You desire to be great and endeavor to excel. You are unusual.
We have fantastic team chemistry. I’m always proud of how Granada athletes encourage each other, help each other, and push each other to always do their best. Positive energy is highly contagious, bring your enthusiasm to practice every day. This is one of the most important factors in helping us reach our goal of a TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP. Step up to the challenge of improving yourself so that you can improve the team. We hope that all our runners will want to do their share to make 2007 a FABULOUS YEAR FOR GRANADA.
Run to win!
Noel Mattern
Head Cross Country Coach
Granada High School
