PJXC 2017
Another season of PJXC is now officially in the books. As the years have passed (four years to be precise) it always amazes me just how quick our cross country journey seems to fly by! When we take into consideration that cross country kicks off at camp in late June and the IESA State meet concludes in the middle part of October, we cover nearly four months along the way. Yet, in the blink of an eye, here we are looking back on the 2017 season that was.
Cross country camp with our friends from the high school provided a fun filled week to spring board us off and running, but more importantly, beginning to teach what it means to, “run for fun.” Following the conclusion of our second annual PCHS/PJXC camp, all four coaches feel like we have found a formula for success for this camp and can’t wait for our 2018 cross country camp next summer!
As the calendar turned to July, we opened up our summer run club. A little bit of running each day followed by fun filled games throughout, run club continued a four year tradition of laying the basis for success that was sure to follow. All throughout July we continued on with one mission in mind, learning to run for fun while beginning to form the bonds that would lead to our ultimate mission this year,” Not About Me, All About We!”
Prior to the start of the school year, the IESA cross country season officially kicked off on July 31st. Nearly 40 kids from Broadmoor and Edison began the process of preparing for the multiple 2 mile journeys that lie ahead. On the surface, that would seem to mean, running, running and more running. While running is definitely what we do, it’s far from the only thing we do. PJXC is about so much more!
Relationships and bonds began to form. A group of individuals began to transform themselves into a team, a team that would truly become a family. The support that our 2017 Dragons poured out for one another defines what PJXC stands for, “It’s Not About Me, It’s All About We!”
As we headed into the season we continued to preach one simple message coined by North Central College Cross Coach Al Carius, “Run for Fun and Personal Bests.” Story after story could be retold at this point about the genuine excitement we were able to witness as we went from course to course throughout the season and saw times and personal bests continue to improve. There’s nothing better than to see everyone’s pure joy and excitement at knowing they’ve improved!
This season was full of success on the course. Personal best, followed by personal best was a theme all throughout. The 2017 Dragons qualified our first girls team for the IESA State Meet. Along with this we also saw our first ever boy qualify for State as well. While we are so incredibly proud of all of these accomplishments, once again, PJXC is about more!
Beginning back at the Washington Central Invitational we met a young man from Germantown Hills named Aiden. Our runners developed a bond with Aiden and his other teammates from Germantown Hills throughout the rest of the season. While Aiden’s teammates were helping and encouraging on the course running alongside him, our Dragons were spread-out all throughout the different courses cheering for Aiden with all they had. The bond that had been formed was real. Their genuine passion to see Aiden cross the finish line at each race was what this sport is all about. Thank you Aiden and Germantown Hills for EVERYTHING you have provided PJXC with this season! You will forever have our support and gratitude for seasons and seasons to come.
As I write this final 2017 PJXC reflection I want to thank our 8th graders for everything they have done for this program. When you joined our program two years ago I could have never imagined how much each and every one of you would help to continue to build and reshape who we are and what our program stands for. You’ve embraced what it means to; “Run for Fun and Personal Bests” while truly being there for one another. For that, the program will be FOREVER grateful! We wish you all the best as you continue on as Dragons at PCHS!
As we now being to look towards our 5th season of PJXC in 2018, we do so with a tremendous level of pure excitement as we know we have an incredible group of 7th graders in place to take the program on and to the next level. We can’t wait for all of you to lead our next group that will join us in the summer of 2018 for another memorable and fun filled season of PJXC!
THANK YOU PJXC DRAGONS FOR AN AMAINZG 2017!
PJXC 2018 …. PEKIN WITH A PURPOSE
D-R-A-G-O-N-S … DRAGONS, ARE THE BEST, BEST BEST!
Beginning at our first meet of the season our team got to see a young man from Germantown Hills named Aiden racing. All throughout the season we have cheered for Aiden as he has continued to inspire us and demonstrate what makes Cross Country such an incredible sport.
At Friday's meet, Coach Marks from Germantown Hills provided our kids with the opportunity to run alongside Aiden and his teammates throughout the boys open race. In the 4 years of our program, there has never been a better moment for PJXC. To see two teams come together and support one another was truly remarkable! Great job Aiden, we will continue to cheer for you for years to come! You are now and forever a member of PJXC!
THANK YOU GERMANTOWN HILLS, COACH MARKS AND AIDEN FOR POVIDING US WITH AN OPPORTUNITY THAT WE WILL BE FOREVER GRATEFUL FOR!
We have many more pictures from Germantown Hills that Coach Marks Husband was gracious enough to provide us with on the 2017 Pictures Tab. Thank you Mr. Marks!