Islander Middle School Cross Country
- Spotlight On -
Islander XC traveled to Tolt MS last week to finish out the season at the Triangle League Finals. With a successful regular season already on the books, it was time to secure some team (and individual) championships, and the Gator runners did not disappoint! The 6th Grade Boys showed up on the early bus and were ready just in time with a team win, 37-50 over a tough Twin Falls squad. Finn Kelly was League Champ with a 11:19 time on the 3km course. Linden Baldwin (5th) and Thomas Cundall (6th) also placed in the Top 10.
The 6th Grade Girls were up next, with a 15-point effort from their top 4 runners. Nora Cudney, Natalia Louden and Clara Shook stormed to a 2nd-3rd-4th finish, with Evi Abramson not far behind in 6th. It was an impressive team-oriented win for a group that was dominant from the beginning to the end of the season!
The biggest win of the day went to the 7th/8th Grade Boys in the third race. Finishing with 7 of the first 8 slots led to an unbelievable 17-point team score. For context, the next closest team had 71. Balen McCarthy's 10:18 was the fastest time of the day and good enough to make him League Champion! Jake Powell was just steps behind him in 2nd place. Jackson Dale (3rd), Zizi Song (5th), Dylan Jones (6th), Dino Hajdarpasic (7th) and Ian Moch (8th) kept the party rolling for the team.
Finishing off the day were the 7th/8th Girls, who did plenty to put the race for the title out of doubt. Rizah Despres, Sierra Brondstetter and Elsa Lee had their own 2nd-3rd-4th finish. Avery Stabbert clocked in shortly thereafter at 6th to ensure a 26-point score for the girls, less than half the amount as their nearest competitors. What a way to end the meet, as the rest of the squad accounted for 11 of the top 20 finishers. What a team effort!
There is so much to be proud of this season, up and down the entire team roster. Gator runners have been training hard since Day #1 and that training paid off last Tuesday! The team wins and individual titles are impressive, but just as impressive are the PRs that every single runner achieved throughout the season. The improvement across the board is due to a lot of teamwork, encouragement and dedication from our Islander XC team. Way to go Gators!
With the end of the season, we turn to celebration! All Islander runners should plan to join the team in the IMS Commons after school on Tuesday, October 24 (3:00-4:00pm) for a party! There will be pizza and treats for all athletes. There will be awards. There will be recognition. There will be celebration. Runners should bring their washed JERSEYS to the party to turn in. Activity buses will be provided.
Nothing left to say but...GO GATORS!
Coach Rennie
2023 All League Champions - Islander Middle School
Team Spirit Wear - Store Closed
Need some warm weather clothing?
Looking for early Christmas gifts?
In need of spirit wear that promotes your favorite sport?
You are in luck. We have a Pop Up Gear store for Mercer Island Cross Country. For those who participate on the Track & Field Distance Team you can also choose a Mercer Island Cross Country Track and Field logo.
Meet Preparation & Details
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Light post-race snacks will be provided for athletes. Please make sure your runner also has their own snacks. A good breakfast and lunch on the day of the meet are also essential, not to mention lots of sleep the night before...and good hydration!
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We need your help to make the meet happen! The coaching team is NOT big enough to do it all ourselves. We rely on parent helpers to monitor the course, organize the finish line chute and take care of the snack table. Good news...all of the jobs require no prior experience. Please sign up to help us out! Here's the link: IMS XC Meet Sign-up
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Official individual times and team scores will be available the evening after the meet. Our IMS Admin team does an awesome job of getting scoreboards up as soon as possible so that athletes can see their results. I will be emailing all the results out that night.
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PLEASE have a conversation before the meet with your runner(s) about sportsmanship. The coaches do their best to emphasize positive cheering (of both teams), volunteering to help out, and representing our school/community well. If our runners hear it from you as well...all the better! We want our athletes to be the best ambassadors for Islander that they can possibly be!
2023 IMS Special Events
IMS Sports Registration
Practices start after school on Wednesday, August 30, 2023
Participants must have a completed Athletic Eligibility Packet before turning out for practices (Sports Eligibility Packets must be completed every school year. Physical exams done by a doctor are valid for two years.) More information, including expectations, practice and meet dates, is available in the Schedule and FAQ documents.
Here is what you need to do in order to be eligible:
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Complete the Sports Eligibility Packet Sports_Eligibility_Packet-_2023-24.pdf (mercerislandschools.org)
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Pay $80 IMS Sports Fee ONLINE
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Bring a water bottle to practice. Use the fill-up stations in the buildings.
If you have questions, please email Coach Rennie at stephen.rennie@mercerislandschools.org
Aug 31st - Welcome Coffee
Stop by our booth in the IMS Commons to learn more about the Mercer Island Cross Country program.
Sept 10th - MIXC 3rd Annual IMS/High School Social Potluck
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Sunday, 9/10
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5 - 7:30 pm
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Mercer Island Shore Club
Please join us for the third annual MIXCTF social potluck for the families of our IMS and MIHS athletes! The goal of this event is to bring together both the IMS and MIHS XCTF community for a chance to meet, mingle and support our young athletes. The event is for both athletes and their families!
Socialize and enjoy a delicious potluck food, hear from our IMS and HS coaches and purchase some team swag.
Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Adults: if adult beverages are your thing, BYOB (to share with the adults). Thank you!
SUPER FUN ATHLETE NOTICE: Athlete mixer….yes, please!!! If the social wasn’t enough fun…..there will be a fun opportunity for IMS athletes to meet high school athletes. How should your athlete prepare? Think sleep, food, hydration and proper running shoes….the rest will be disclosed at the social!
Note, the swimming pool will be open, bring those swimsuits if you’d like!
Oct 24th - End of Season Celebration
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Islander Middle School
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Thursday, October 24th
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3 - 4:00 pm
We will have treats, team awards, games and fun at our End of Season Party!
There will be an Activity Bus to take runners home afterward.
Please wash your uniform and bring it to the party to turn in. Your uniform is the ticket that allows you into the party!
Thank you for your donations to the MIXCT&F Boosters!
Athlete Nutrition
Ever wonder what to eat before a meet?
Ever wonder when to eat before a meet?
Heidi Stickler, Nutritionalist, met with our high school athletes and provided tips for maximizing nutrition for performance.
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Cross Country Lives Here Signs
WE ARE LISTENING TO YOU! Last year our athletes asked if we could create signs to demonstrate team pride like other school sports. Our first ever Cross Country Lives Here signs are available on a first come, first serve basis. Cost is $20, payable by cash, credit card or check made payable to MIXC & Track Club.
To coordinate payment and delivery options, please Complete Form
Team Spirit Wear - Closed
Need some warm weather clothing?
Looking for early Christmas gifts?
In need of spirit wear that promotes your favorite sport?
You are in luck. We have a Pop Up Gear store for Mercer Island Cross Country. For those who participate on the Track & Field Distance Team you can also choose a Mercer Island Cross Country Track and Field logo.
2023 All League Champions - Islander Middle School
Islander XC traveled to Tolt MS last week to finish out the season at the Triangle League Finals. With a successful regular season already on the books, it was time to secure some team (and individual) championships, and the Gator runners did not disappoint! The 6th Grade Boys showed up on the early bus and were ready just in time with a team win, 37-50 over a tough Twin Falls squad. Finn Kelly was League Champ with a 11:19 time on the 3km course. Linden Baldwin (5th) and Thomas Cundall (6th) also placed in the Top 10.
The 6th Grade Girls were up next, with a 15-point effort from their top 4 runners. Nora Cudney, Natalia Louden and Clara Shook stormed to a 2nd-3rd-4th finish, with Evi Abramson not far behind in 6th. It was an impressive team-oriented win for a group that was dominant from the beginning to the end of the season!
The biggest win of the day went to the 7th/8th Grade Boys in the third race. Finishing with 7 of the first 8 slots led to an unbelievable 17-point team score. For context, the next closest team had 71. Balen McCarthy's 10:18 was the fastest time of the day and good enough to make him League Champion! Jake Powell was just steps behind him in 2nd place. Jackson Dale (3rd), Zizi Song (5th), Dylan Jones (6th), Dino Hajdarpasic (7th) and Ian Moch (8th) kept the party rolling for the team.
Finishing off the day were the 7th/8th Girls, who did plenty to put the race for the title out of doubt. Rizah Despres, Sierra Brondstetter and Elsa Lee had their own 2nd-3rd-4th finish. Avery Stabbert clocked in shortly thereafter at 6th to ensure a 26-point score for the girls, less than half the amount as their nearest competitors. What a way to end the meet, as the rest of the squad accounted for 11 of the top 20 finishers. What a team effort!
There is so much to be proud of this season, up and down the entire team roster. Gator runners have been training hard since Day #1 and that training paid off last Tuesday! The team wins and individual titles are impressive, but just as impressive are the PRs that every single runner achieved throughout the season. The improvement across the board is due to a lot of teamwork, encouragement and dedication from our Islander XC team. Way to go Gators!
With the end of the season, we turn to celebration! All Islander runners should plan to join the team in the IMS Commons after school on Tuesday, October 24 (3:00-4:00pm) for a party! There will be pizza and treats for all athletes. There will be awards. There will be recognition. There will be celebration. Runners should bring their washed JERSEYS to the party to turn in. Activity buses will be provided.
Nothing left to say but...GO GATORS!
Coach Rennie