The schedule heats up this week with Batesville Junior and Senior High back in session, so I’ll be out under the midafternoon sun with Pioneer cross country. Our first meet is September 8 at Melbourne High, when our relatively cool, friendly summer morning runs will be a pleasant memory.
The roster exploded in 2025, with 53 runners across the four squads finishing at least one race. More than 40 have run a summer practice this year, and we expect several more seventh graders to join in the first weeks of the semester. The junior high boys are reloaded to try for a repeat undefeated season, with strong freshmen likely to then move up to strengthen senior high at district or state.
All of the teams look faster and deeper after a solid summer of fun on the run.
OK Timing Plus also has a full schedule of events starting August 22 with the H2Go Run 2-Miler at the Batesville Community Center, and then every Saturday from September 12 through October, plus a few weekday high school and college invitationals. I’ll need to remind myself that rest and recovery is part of running.
I will occasionally have some coaching, course preview and open group runs in that stretch, likely midweek or Sunday evenings. I’ll post those here and am open to suggestions or requests on available days.
Let the good times roll!