It all comes down to this. This one is for all the marbles. Everything hinges on this moment. There are many ways to say it, but the fact of the matter remains, the post-season is here, and the Fairbanks Panthers are ready to vie for some District glory and maybe a hard-fought place at the Regional meet next weekend. “I’m psyched,” said Fairbanks Panthers head coach Mike Van Winkle. “The weather is supposed to be glorious, we’re familiar with this course, and our runners are coming off strong performances at conference last weekend. I mean, this is what it’s all about right here. Our athletes are going to have to run the race of their lives right now, but they are well prepared for it, and I have no doubt we’re going to see some great things come Saturday morning.”
After many PRs were set last week at Conference, the Panther runners are ready for whatever happens next. According to senior Nathan Parks, “You just don’t really know how it’s all going to play out until that gun sounds. But we’re ready. This could be the last race of my career, so I plan on going gang-buster out there. If you’re in my way down that homestretch, look out, because I’ll run right through you like a Mack truck through a wet paper towel.” Teammate Nicholas Powell echoed the same sentiment. “My nerves are calm, my blood is cool, and I’m just exquisitely focused right now. I’ve been meditating about this moment for weeks now, and I know that, mind, body, and soul, I’m going to run a PR . . . in fact, I guarantee it.” Brave words indeed.
For the girls, junior athlete and school record holder Rachael Hoover views this race as another day on the job. “I never take a day off,” said Hoover, as she sipped on a blue Gatorade, relaxing in the atypical late October warmth. “I know what I can do because I’ve done it before. The district meet for me is just another step on the way back to state, where I’ve got some unfinished business to attend to. Yeah, there are going to be some other talented girls out there, but I’m not bothered. I’m a machine. When I’m racing, there’s only one thing on my mind, and that’s taking that school record down, again and again, until the time is so low that future Fairbanks athletes will wonder if that Hoover girl was even human. So bring it, Central District. Gimme all you got, because I’m hungry and I needs to be fed.”
Van Winkle looks out on his team with pride. “You know, this is a great group we’ve got this year. There’s a little bit of everything and everyone has a personality that just brings something extra to the table. We’ve had a lot of fun and seen a lot of things, so it’s kind of bittersweet that for some, this may be their last race of the season. But that’s what life is. Like this calf that was birthed yesterday on my farm. As I was holding it in my arms, wiping its eyes clear of mucus, I just looked down at the little guy, and said, ‘Fella, you ain’t got no idea what the future holds for you.’ Then I wept, openly and loud, until my wife [assistant coach Emily Van Winkle] told me, that that’s enough and that I was scaring little Vivienne.”
It looks to be a wonderful day for the Panthers, so come out and support this great group of kids as they take their next step towards cross country immortality. The bus leaves the school at 8:15, so be there!
Preview
Meet Information
Parking: $5.00
Course Map
