Week 11 Practice Schedule / STATES

Hey Everyone,

First of all, INCREDIBLE JOB AT REGIONALS!!  I was so impressed that not only did we have an amazing effort on the course at St. Andrews, but every single Eagles runner got a personal best.  The most improved award goes to Caleb Schibler for knocking off 4 minutes off his previous time.  Wait to go Caleb!  I have attached the full regional results for you, but to summarize, 3 runners from HHCA finished in the top 5 of the region including Sam Gilman (2nd) and Chase Harsta (4th) for the boys and Callie Haertel (2nd) for the girls. 

This week, we are entering the last push into the state meet on Saturday.  Parents - I have attached the full state meet itinerary to your e-mail, so please read over it carefully.  We will be departing Friday afternoon at 12:30pm for Columbia to walk the course, check into the hotel and have a team pasta dinner before relaxing at the hotel Friday evening.  Saturday morning, we will be up early and over to the course to watch the early races and the state meet race for AA will begin with the girls at 10:30am, followed by the boys at 11:10am.  Following all races, there will be awards on the football field at Heathwood Hall and then we will return to HHCA hopefully by 4pm.  One thing that is different this year is that I will personally be unable to join the team until later in the evening at the hotel around 9:30pm.  I am staying Friday afternoon to play for the HHCA Showcase and the senior recognition prior to the football game.  I will plan on bringing up Henry and the seniors, leaving HHCA at 7pm for Columbia.  All other athletes will be expected to leave with Coach White and Coach Gilman at 12:30pm Friday to walk the course, check into the hotel and enjoy the team dinner.  I really wish I could be there with you, but you will be in good hands!  In addition to overnight items, travel shirt and uniform, please plan on bringing a packed lunch and $10-15 for a team pasta dinner, which will be great fuel for our race on Saturday! 

As far as who is actually running as the top 7 runners in the state meet, we will discuss that first thing at practice tomorrow as a team, but please remember that even if you are not running as part of the top 7, you are invited and encouraged to join us for the state meet.  We have included enough hotel rooms for all athletes to attend. 

Please note that due to the middle school championship on the Wednesday after states, we will continue to have practice next week and a date for a team party will be announced soon. 

Here is the schedule for the week:

Monday, October 20th
Practice @ HHCA - 4-5:30pm
Meet initially in the band room for a team meeting

Tuesday, October 21st
Practice @ HHCA - 4-5:30pm

Thursday, October 23rd
Practice @ Jarvis Creek Park - 4-5:15pm

Friday, October 24th / Saturday, October 25th
STATE MEET TRIP to Heathwood Hall (Columbia, SC) - See itinerary on your e-mail

Please e-mail me with any questions you may have.  See you soon!  LET’S GO EAGLES!

- Coach Berry

Week 9 Practice Schedule

Hey Everyone,

We actually have a fairly mellow week for the team coming up (compared to last week) as we continue our training for regions and states later this month.  Keep stretching, doing those new core body workouts we learned for Go Tri Sports, and continue to give your best effort at practice.  It's important that all of you are very clear about communicating if you have any reason that you have to miss something on the schedule.  We really need everyone at all practices and meets to put our best foot forward as a team (no pun intended) =).  This week on Wednesday, there is a middle school meet at Beaufort Academy.  It looks like we'll still take a bus with the MS runners on it, leaving during 6th period.  For US students, you are welcome to meet us there to support our team. =)

Monday, October 6th
Practice @ HHCA
Mid-Distance Run
4:00-5:20pm

Tuesday, October 7th
Practice @ HHCA
Interval Workout
4:00-5:20pm (MS will be done a little early, US will have a full practice)

Wednesday, October 8th
Middle School XC Meet vs. Beaufort Academy
Lady's Island, SC
2:15 Dismissal for MS cross country team only, US students are welcome to meet us there
4:30 Race Time
Address:  240 Sams Point Rd, Beaufort, SC 29907

Thursday, October 9th
Practice @ Jarvis Creek Park
3:30-5pm (US required, MS optional)

Saturday, October 11th
Practice @ Crossings Park
8:30-10am

No practice on Monday, October 13th (Columbus Day)

Week 8 Practice Schedule

Hey Everyone,

I hope you had a great weekend and thank you for being at practice on Saturday with Coach White.  I’m sorry that I was out sick, but wanted to stay away just in case I was contagious.  =)  This week, we have a big meet on Wednesday in Columbia at Heathwood Hall and will not only get to see the state meet course, but see a few of the teams that we will be up against for the State meet at the end of the season.  Please note the schedule this week - there is practice on Monday, no practice Tuesday, big meet on Wednesday, practice on Thursday and Saturday.  I have included a rough itinerary for Wednesday.  The whole team will be traveling to the meet, but only the top 7 will be running varsity.  All others with run JV.  Don’t forget to bring the items on the checklist.  On Thursday, we will be back at Jarvis with a follow-up to our stride analysis from Go-Tri Sports.  Saturday, we’re back over at Pinckney Island again for a nice morning run. 

Here is the schedule for the week:

Monday, September 29
Practice @ HHCA
4:00-5:30pm

Tuesday, September 30
No practice, do some core strength work on your own, short run

Wednesday, October 1
Heathwood Invitational, Heathwood Hall, Columbia, SC

Get a preplan for periods 5-6
After period 4, change into your uniform and meet in Mr. Berry’s room @ 12:40pm

Itinerary:

12:40pm - Possible Team Picture before we leave
1:00pm - Depart for Columbia, bring a bagged lunch for the bus
3:30pm - Arrive in Columbia
5-7pm - Girls Varsity, Boys Varsity, Open Combined JV Races
7:30pm - Dinner, bring $10
10:00pm - Return to HHCA

What to Bring:
- Bagged Lunch and Numerous Healthy Snacks
- Homework to do on the bus
- Uniform and warm-up sweats / travel shirt
- $10 for dinner
- Optional Pillow and Electronic Items

Thursday, October 2
Jarvis Creek Park
4:00-5:15pm
Follow up with GoTriSports on Stride Analysis - Don’t Miss it!

Saturday, October 4
Pinckney Island Long Run
8:30-10:00am
Note:  Make sure you go to the bathroom and bring water before you arrive, no facilities available on site

Week 7 Practice Schedule

Hey Everyone,

I don't know about you, but I'm about done with the rain.  It was nice to see the wonderful sun and a hint of fall weather come out today and hopefully we'll get some more of that this week.  We will have practice on Monday and Tuesday, a likely meet on Wednesday (still to be confirmed) and then you are off the hook until Saturday.  We originally weren't going to do the Wednesday meet, but with the meet cancelled last Saturday, this is an important one to get in.  Try to run on your own either on Thursday or Friday.  Although all practices are important, it's especially important to be early and present for practice Tuesday as Go Tri Sports will be meeting us at Jarvis Creek Park to do a stride analysis.  We've never done it before, so it should be pretty neat to see how they can suggest improvements for each runner.  Wednesday's meet will take place at Honey Horn and we will depart immediately following school.  Let me know if you have any questions.  Here's the plan for the week:

Monday, September 22nd
=================
4:00-5:20pm
Medium Distance Run + Interval Workout
Practice @ HHCA

Tuesday, September 23rd
================
4:00-5:30pm
Practice @ Jarvis Creek Park
Be early or on time, special stride analysis with Go Tri Sports

Wednesday, September 24th
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Honey Horn Meet vs. Hilton Head High / other Beaufort Co. Schools
Departing at 3:10pm
Meet is from 4-6pm

Saturday, September 27th
================
Medium-Long Distance Run + Hill Workout
Crossings Park
9:30-11:00am
Please note the later practice time

"I can do all things, through Him that gives me strength."  - Philippians 4:13

- Coach Berry

Meet Cancelled Today

No meet today @ HH Prep due to course conditions and weather. We will likely make up the meet Wednesday at Honey Horn. Enjoy your Saturday!

Ponds Invitational Results

Incredible Results from the Ponds Invitational Saturday: Competing against 530 runners from 26 schools both public and private, our Hilton Head Christian Academy Varsity Boys finished 9th overall (4th among private schools), and our Varsity Girls finished 14th overall (5th among private schools). Our top runners Sam Gilman (5th, 18:00) and Callie Haertel (10th, 21:44) finished in the top 10 overall in an extremely competitive race. Several HHCA eagles also finished with PRs or completed their first 5K of the season. For the full results, visit the link here. Incredible job Eagles! Pictures will be posted soon!

Week 4 Practice Schedule / Updates

Hey Everyone,

It is hard to believe it’s already September and we’re really getting into meet season.  I hope that you are all working hard on your own in addition to the workouts we’ve done together in practice. 

Here are a few important updates along with our schedule for the week:

• We had a great turnout Saturday at the Run for Ret and meet results are posted here:  http://gotrievents.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/RfR_2014RESULTS.htm Great job to our experienced runners and new runners who completed their first 5K!  It is a slow and sandy course, but you all did great!

• It is important to have our entire team attend every meet.  Students who do not give at least 2 weeks notice of a possible conflict with a meet do not allow us to put our best foot forward and we do not want to pay meet fees for students who do not attend.  We paid an extra $60 in registration fees for students who were not able to attend the Run for Ret last minute.  Please check the full meet schedule (attached), and let me know well in advance of any possible conflict.  The only excused absences are sickness or family emergencies. 

• Students who are playing 2 sports need to still complete any missed workouts on their own.  This will allow our team to have the proper conditioning to do the best at our meet!

• Uniforms should be here by Friday (hopefully).  We will need these for our meet on Saturday.  Drop by before the end of school in my room Friday to make sure you have your uniform.

• If you haven’t done so, be sure that you have the proper running shoes.  Go to Palmetto Running Company or Go Tri Sports to get the proper footwear that will fit your natural stride.  This can make your running experience more comfortable! :)

Here is the practice and meet schedule for this week:

Monday, Sept 1
No Practice - LABOR DAY
Run 3-4 miles on your own

Tuesday, Sept 2
Practice @ 4pm at HHCA
Interval Workout + 3 mile loop

Wednesday, Sept 3
MIDDLE SCHOOL MEET @ HH Prep, 4pm
Leave HHCA TBA (2:30-3pm)
Although only the MS students are running, the entire team is required to attend to cheer them on!

Thursday, Sept 4
Practice @ 4pm at Jarvis Creek Park
Long Run to Honey Horn (5 miles)

Saturday, Sept. 6
MEET @ Ponds Conservancy in Summerville, SC, race begins at 9am
Depart HHCA @ 5AM, will stop in Bluffton @ 5:30am
Top 7 Boys and Girls run Varsity, all others run JV
Note:  This is our first highly competitive meet of the season, do not miss it! 

Have a blessed day off!  See you this week! =)

- Coach Berry

Run for RET Tomorrow!

Meet tomorrow! After an awesome retreat, I'm excited to see what many of you will do in your first 5K...the Run for Ret. Meet on HH Prep's campus in the middle school gym at 7am. The race starts at 8am. Since uniforms aren't in yet, wear comfortable running attire and if possible something representing HHCA. Go Eagles!!

Week 3 Practice Schedule

Hey Everyone,

Here is the practice schedule for week 3.  Because of the upper school retreat, I will be gone Wednesday-Friday, but will see you at the Run for Ret on Saturday.  On Thursday, this week, please run on your own to keep in shape for the weekend race.  On Saturday morning, meet at 7am in the middle school gym on the campus of Hilton Head Prep.  Since we likely won’t have uniforms yet, wear running attire with something representing HHCA if possible.  We will get your bib numbers and get ready for our first team 5K that morning!

Week 3 Practice Schedule
=====================

Monday, August 25th

4pm - Meet by Cafeteria @ HHCA
We will ride over to the library across the street and run down Beach City Road
Pickup @ 5:20pm at HHCA

Tuesday, August 26th

3:45pm - Meet by the Cafeteria @ HHCA
We will be traveling down to the Sea Pines Forest Preserve on the back end of HHP’s campus to practice the course for Saturday
Pickup @ 5:30pm at HHCA

Thursday, August 28th - I’ll be on the retreat

Run on Your Own (ROYO)
2-mile easy run
3-5 half mile interval repeats (race pace)

Saturday, August 30th

RUN for RET
Meet in the MS Gym on the campus of HH Prep @ 7am
Race kicks off @ 8am!

Have a great week!

- Coach Berry

Week 2 Practice Schedule

Hey everyone...I hope you've had a great weekend!  It was awesome seeing some of you come out for the Bluffton Scorcher and we had some great times to build on.  I noticed that some of you that ran the same race last year took a significant amount off of your time from last year - great job!  Please turn in your financial agreements early this week and I will be collecting sizes for uniforms.  Here is the practice schedule for this week:

Monday, August 18
4:15-5:30pm
Jarvis Creek Park
Tempo Run
(Note: I am available to give any MS students a ride over to Jarvis from HHCA @ 4pm, please plan on picking up students at Jarvis Creek Park)

Tuesday, August 19
3:45-5:00pm
HHCA
Interval Workout
(Note: Due to back-to-school night, we will start a bit earlier to be done by 5)

Thursday, August 21
4:00-5:15pm
HHCA
Long Run

Saturday, August 23
8:30am-10:00am
Crossings Park
Cross-Island Bridge Workout

Great day at the Bluffton Scorcher!

We had 8 runners come out today for the optional Bluffton Scorcher 5K held in Hampton Hall. Sam Gilman came in 2nd overall for the boys ages 13-15 with an impressive time and PR of 17:52. Callie Haertel came in 5th for the girls ages 13-15 with a time of 22:35. Full official results will be available soon. Great job Eagles!

Hello runners,

There will be no practice today, because there is a 95% chance of thunderstorms at 4:00pm.  On your own time before Thursday, do a warm-up run and then 6 half mile intervals timed, with a 3-5 minute rest in between.  Also do some strength exercises such as push-ups, sit-ups, crunches and squats.  See you Thursday!  Thanks!

- Coach Berry

Week 1 Practice Schedule

Hey everyone,

Great workout and great turnout today at our first day of practice! It was hot, humid and downright miserable to run in, but you all did a great job!  Here is our schedule for week 1 of the 2014 edition of HHCA X-Country.  If you would like to run in the Bluffton Scorcher 5K on Saturday, please make sure that you register at this link: http://www.palmettorunningcompany.com/bobcat-scorcher.html

Bring comfortable running attire, shoesand plenty of water to all practices and invite any interested friends! 

Tuesday, August 12th
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Interval and Strength Workout
4:00-5:15pm
Meet @ HHCA Cafeteria

Thursday, August 14th
==============
4:00-5:30pm
Run to Folly Field Beach
(Transportation will be provided backto HHCA)

5:30-6:00pm
Parent and Athlete InformationalMeeting

Saturday, August 16th
===============
Bluffton Scorcher @ Hampton Hall in Bluffton (Off Buckwalter Pkwy)
8:00am Race Time, 7:00am call time for runners, 7:30am call time for spectators
Come and cheer on our HHCA runners in this meet!

See you tomorrow!

Hey everyone - tomorrow is our first practice for the 2014 season!  See you at 4pm by the HHCA cafeteria an bring your friends.  Be sure to wear appropriate running attire and bottled water.  See you then!  -Coach Berry

Welcome to XC 2014

Hello friends,

I would like to invite you all to be a part of the HHCA Cross Country team in our 2nd year as a new sport at Hilton Head Christian Academy.  If you are new to cross country, it is a sport where you will mentally and physically challenged to run long distances over varied course terrain.  We have 10 meets scheduled for this fall, including some incredible local meets and 5Ks and trips to Columbia and Charleston.  All meets include a 5K race for boys and girls with the top 5 runners from each team counting for a combined score.  We will practice on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays typically from 4-5:30pm @ HHCA and then an additional practice on Saturday mornings at various locations.  Meets are typically on either Saturdays or Wednesdays.  

The benefit of doing cross country is not only will it get you in incredible shape for any other sports, but it will challenge you in new ways to persevere and support your teammates.  I think that there are many spiritual and life applications to running cross country and we get to enjoy some of the most incredible scenery on Hilton Head as we run across different parts of the island.  

Currently, I am on a 10-day worship music tour / missions trip, but will be returning in time for our first practice, which will be held on Monday, August 11th @ 4pm.  Let’s meet outside the cafeteria with your running clothes and shoes on ready for our initial workout.  I do ask that all participating students be able to run 2 miles (12-20 minutes), without stopping before coming to practice.  For parents, we’ll have a parent information meeting on the Cross Country team on Thursday, August 14th @ 5:30pm after practice.  If students are committed to doing another sport, but would still like to join cross country, let’s see if we can work something out to have them be a part of the team.

For any students ready to jump into a 5K right away, please sign up for the Bluffton Scorcher and drop it off at Palmetto Running Company in Bluffton or Hilton Head.  The application is due by this Wednesday and since I’m away, I need you to register yourselves, so we can have some runners represented in that race.  The cost is $20 and the application is attached.  

If you know of any other students interested in the cross country team, please forward this e-mail to them and I’ll look forward seeing them on August 11th!  To stay in touch with all announcements, I will send out a weekly e-mail, visit our blog (hhcaxc.blogspot.com) or join our Facebook page @ facebook.com/hhcarunning.  We have some excellent volunteer assistant coaches as well including Mark White and Doug Gilman, so it’s going to be a fantastic season.  Take a look at the 2014 schedule attached and I’ll see you soon!

- Coach Berry

jberry@hhca.org

843.290.7916