Summer Running Challenge Combats Isolation
Athletic teams, no matter what the sports is, do not know what the fall season will bring. Will the student-athletes be back in school? Will Colonial Conference competitions resume?
The Haddonfield Memorial High School boys cross country team, however, isn’t waiting to find out. The runners are taking a unique approach to summer conditioning with a mileage challenge that is benefiting the area Interfaith Caregivers.
The team members are seeking pledges for each training mile they run during the month of July, with the goal of hitting 1,500 miles.
HMHS assistant coach Dave Stewart explained how the challenge came about.
"With everything that has happened, I think it became clear to everyone independently that ‘business as usual’ wasn’t really an option. It’s always been a great group of service-oriented kids, but we hadn’t really tried to tie in these impulses to our running,” said Stewart. "The captains, Caleb [Clevenger] and John [Hurly], were very strong on the idea of keeping support local, and aiding people who were greatly affected by the pandemic.
"But they also wanted something that would help re-energize and set goals for the team, who had trained all spring but pretty much without their teammates or coaches, and without the positive feedback you get from doing well in races. A few ideas were batted around but when Interfaith Caregivers was brought up it seemed like a perfect fit, since they fight against isolation for seniors at all times, but it’s a service that’s needed even more right now. And a mileage challenge would mean that they could support each other and contribute for the team, just like they would during a competitive season, should we ever get back to that.”
He added the entire coaching staff is proud of what the team is doing. Stewart is handling some of the paperwork and donations. The student-athletes, meanwhile, are the ones running the miles and logging them.
Stewart noted supporters of the team, Interfaith Caregivers, and the general community are all helping make the challenge a success.
"Right now, pledges are approaching $2 a mile, which would mean a donation of $3000 to Interfaith Caregivers, which I think exceeds expectations. That’s from a few dozen supporters, pledging anywhere from one to 10 cents a mile, all of which are welcome as are any other pledges, which we’ll accept through the end of the month,” said Stewart. "Now, the running part has been tough. 1,500 miles is definitely a stretch goal, especially with the brutal weather we’ve been having, and with a few people having nagging injuries that haven’t been able to contribute as much.
But ‘next man up’ has always been our team philosophy anyway, and we still have it in our sights.”
Doing summer conditioning and training is not new to these Haddonfield runners. Because the spring season was cancelled due to the pandemic, Stewart said the team took a break a little earlier than they would during a typical season. The mileage plan, however, is similar to what the runners would do during a normal summer.
"What we’re hoping to see is a lot of consistency throughout the team, since the runners who are maybe not competing for a varsity spot still know they’re contributing a lot to the team when they record their miles,” said Stewart. "And of course everything is still a great deal different than other years since we haven’t been able to meet personally with them since mid-March.”
In terms of the fall season, COVID-19 has already forced the cancellation of the Manhattan Invitational, which was scheduled to take place on Oct. 9. The status of other competitions are up in the air.
Talent-wise, Haddonfield graduated another exceptional senior class, but head coach Nick Baker has runners ready to fill the leadership roles.
Junior Seth Clevenger is a returning first team All-South Jersey selection. Seniors Caleb Clevenger, a First Team All-Colonial Conference honoree, and John Hurly are the new team captains.
Junior Tobias Janssen, who also earned First Team All-Conference, is back, too. Seniors Sean Eisenhower and Elijah Fernands are expected to be major contributors as well.
Juniors Ethan Wellborn and Andrew Sullivan along with sophomores George Andrus, Donnie Jellig, and Ian Romea are expected to fill key roles, as well.
Since the coaches have not been able to participate in the workouts as a result of COVID-19 protocols, Baker has relied on his senior captains to set the tone.
"John and Caleb have been doing an outstanding job of communicating and motivating the team during a difficult time. Summer training has always been the foundation of our cross country program and John and Caleb are making sure the guys are getting the work done,” said Baker.
Starting July 13, Baker, Stewart and the other coaches will be able to join in as part of phase 1.
At the same time, the Haddonfield runners will continue racking up those miles for a good cause.
For more information about the mileage challenge or to make a pledge, visit haddonfieldbulldogscrosscountry.com or email assistant coach Dave Stewart, dstewart@haddonfield.k12.nj.us, with the subject line "July Mileage Challenge” and the amount you’d like to pledge per mile. Pledges can be accepted any time through the month of July, and donations will not be collected until the challenge is over.
posted Sunday July 12th