By Michael Newman

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Runners got a first-hand look at the cross country course that will be used for Saturday’s Nike Cross Nationals at Glendoveer Golf Club. The rain that hit the area has made an effect on the course. Runners were not allowed to run on the actual course but they were allowed to run the trolley path that the video vehicle will travel on Saturday. There were a couple of concern areas on the course such as some standing water on the right side of the course 300 meters into the race.

“This course is in better shape than it was a year ago,” Sandburg’s Sean Torpy said. “When you took a step a year ago, you could see the water splash up with every step. It is not like that this year.”

There looked like there would be a reprieve for the runners as the sun came out in the afternoon with temperatures climbing to above 50 degrees. That will change tomorrow around race time. Showers are expected for the Girls race but are expected to die down before the start of the boys run. The course may be a little sloppy. If should not bother the Illinois runners that had to tolerate worse conditions especially on Sectional Saturday at the end of October.

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One of the things that I have not mentioned (maybe on purpose) I will talk a little bit now. While I was waiting to do interviews outside of the processing building in Terre Haute, out of the doors came in Downers Grove North Boys Cross Country Coach John Sipple wearing a Sandburg top. Sipple is in Portland as the coach with the Sandburg team. According to IHSA rules, team coaches are not allowed to coach their teams after the IHSA Stat Cross Country. In any of the wording of the rule it does not state that an IHSA coach can coach another team. That is what is happening here. There is a story behind all of this.

“John O’Malley and I ran cross country together in high school together at Sandburg and still remain life-long friends,” Sipple said. “John approached e at the end of the season to ask me if I would do it. I had to get permission from my wife first. Then I had to tell my runners that I would be doing this. They were fine with it.”

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The one good thing about the four teams and the five individuals that will be running on Saturday is that they are having fun while being out here in Portland. At the same time during the fun, there is a focus among the athletes on what needs to be done in this meet. This could be a banner day for Illinois cross country. The athletes in this contingent are ready to show what Illinois cross country is all about. That is from what I have seen.

When I was walking the Nike Campus this afternoon, I thought about what a great season it has been in this state. So forgive me that I am not thinking about track right now (Yes…I received a few e-mails asking why). I want to savor this meet tomorrow and then the races at San Diego next Saturday. This cross country season for this state is just like a flower that is just about to bloom. I want to cherish the short season that this has been. I want to cherish what is about to happen in Portland on Saturday. I just have that gut feeling.

Good luck to all the athletes that have paid the price to get this point on Saturday. You will have a bunch of Illinois fans back in their state cheering for you.