2023 MIHS XC Season
- Spotlight On -
June 26, 2023: - MIXC Kick-Off Picnic
@ Coach Empey’s (7744 85th PL SE) Come learn more about our summer training program, key fall dates, meet teammates, coaches, captains, play some games, and eat some yummy hot dogs (veggie dogs available too).
Rising 9th graders - we hope to meet you, too! And don't forget - the best way to stay up to date on all things MIXC is to join the Band App. (Parents included!)
Questions? Contact Susan Empey, MIXC Head Coach at susan.empey@mercerislandschooldistrict.org
Meet and Snack Volunteers Needed
We need your help to fuel runners after they race. Healthy snacks and fluids are beneficial for athletes to recover and to replenish their tanks so they have energy to cheer on their teammates.
Please click the button below to take a look and sign up for the snacks needed, or volunteer to help during our one home meet of the season.
Questions? Contact Jen Enge, MIXC Volunteer Coordinator at jenenge@aol.com
Team Pasta Feeds
A highlight for athletes, pasta feeds are held the night before meets to fuel up for the next day's race and rally team spirit. Dinners are potluck style and attending athletes contribute bread, salads, beverages and dessert. Pasta feeds run from 6-7:30pm
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September 6th, September 14th, October 11th
More details about hosting/helping can be found by clicking the Volunteer button below. Thanks in advance for considering being a host or helper for these fun events!
Questions? Contact Jen Enge, MIXC Volunteer Coordinator at jenenge@aol.com
2022 MIHS Special Events - Save the Date
June 20th: - MIXC Kick-Off Picnic
@ Coach Empey’s (7744 85th PL SE) Come learn more about our summer training program, key fall dates, meet teammates, coaches, captains, play some games, and eat some yummy hot dogs (veggie dogs available too).
Rising 9th graders - we hope to meet you, too! And don't forget - the best way to stay up to date on all things MIXC is to join the Band App. (Parents included!)
Questions? Contact Susan Empey, MIXC Head Coach at susan.empey@mercerislandschooldistrict.org
July 25th - Fall Registration Opens
Registration is open. The website is arduous so set aside some time (and patience) to complete everything. Click here to register.
Physicals are due every other year. If your runner is due for a physical, please consider asking the pediatrician specifically for a blood test and a serum ferritin test. Ferritin is a key measurement for long distance runners to know; if levels are low, we want to work on increasing it ASAP. While “normal” for the general population is >12 ng/mL, endurance athletes need >= 30 ng/mL (and ideally >40). Fatigue and injuries can be a direct result of low ferritin levels. Even if your runner does not need a physical this year, I would recommend asking for this blood test. It is a good benchmark to have.
August 1st - Summer Practices Begin
Daily practice "opportunities" throughout the summer.
Monday through Friday. Meet at Island Crest Park: 9:00 - 10:30am.
August 1 marks the beginning of official captains’ practices. While a coach may pop in to say hello, these practices are led by our fearless and fantastic leaders: Carson Schiller, Sabrina Chun, Brooks Enge, Kate Becker, Kris Holtan, Mustufa Agha and Alexane Dumont. Our team is in great hands.
These practices are extremely valuable for building fitness before the season begins. Another benefit is connecting with teammates before the season and school begins.
August 22nd - 2022 Fall Season Begins
Aug 27 (optional but encouraged) - 9:00 - 10:30 @ Newcastle Beach Park
Aug 28 REST DAY!
Aug 29 - 9:00 - 11:00 @ Luther Burbank + Athlete's Code of Conduct meeting (MANDATORY) @ MIHS 3:15 - 4:00
Aug 30 - 9:00 - 11:00 @ ICP
Aug 31 - First Day of School. Practice at 3:15 - 5:15 at JV Football Field
Sept 1 - Class Jamboree @ Marymoor. Must attend 8 practices to compete. Buses will leave ~2:45.
Not planned for 2022 - Team Pancake Breakfast
Let's treat our preseason runners to a Pancake Breakfast, Sunday from 11am-12:30pm. If you are able to help, we are looking for some additional sides to feed 40-50 athletes. Please sign up and drop off to the host between 10:30-10:45am on Sunday. We really appreciate the host family, for offering to host our athletes and parents for your support.
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Meet at host family at 11am.
Questions? Contact Jen Enge, MIXC Volunteer Coordinator at jenenge@aol.com
Aug 29th - MIHS Mandatory Meetings for Fall Sports
MIHS hosts mandatory meetings for all fall sports. Learn more about our coaches' philosophy, expectations of the team, goals for the season, practice & meet schedules as well as opportunities to support our athletes through volunteering and donations.
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Students @ MIHS @ 3:15 - 3:45 pm
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Parents @ MIHS @ 6 pm
Sept 3 - 4, 2022 - Team Retreat
The XC Annual Team Retreat makes a comeback in 2022! Everyone is encouraged to attend. Experience a full day of training, goal setting, team bonding and games at Fort Worden. Retreat costs $150/pp and includes transportation, field reservations, afternoon snacks and pasta dinner. The bus holds 50 attendees. Preference will be given to athletes who have been training this summer and are active on Strava. Carpooling is encouraged if we exceed the bus' capacity.
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Field trip forms will be distributed on the first official day of practice, August 21st.
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Meet at MIHS at 7:45am for bus/ferry transport.
Sept 25th - MIXCTF 2nd Annual IMS/High School Social Potluck
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Sunday, 9/25
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5 - 7 pm
Please join us for the second 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 communities 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!
October 12th - Senior Night
Senior Night coincides with our home meet at Luther Burbank. Mercer Island hosts Hazen & Liberty. Let's do it right! Volunteer positions are still open.
Timeline
3:30 Meet Volunteers Gather for instructions from the coaches at the Timers Tent / FinishLine (located in large grass field between north and south parking lots)
Volunteer Check-in with Coaches
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Course marshals: please check in with Coach Gavin Cree to get assignments and fluorescent vest.
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Timers/start/finish line helpers: please check in with Coach Goldhammer
3:40 Senior Recognition
4:00 Meet Starts
5:30 Pizza Feed (Athletes & Families Welcome)
Questions? Contact Jen Enge, MIXC Volunteer Coordinator at jenenge@aol.com
Nov 9th - End of Season Celebration
Celebration will be held on Wednesday, November 9th.- 5pm-7:00pm in the MIHS Commons.
More details to come, but parents – please do all you can to come celebrate your athletes.
Your generous donations allow the Boosters to serve a Qdoba buffet and sheet cakes. The team will celebrate their success, including PRs, and accept coaches' and teammate awards.
Highlights and Awards include:
Captain Recognition
2022 Rising Stars: Mia Kinney & Matthew Lawrence
Most Improved: Anna Xie & Charlie Staddon Smith
Most Valuable Teammate: Alexane Dumont & Owen Powell
Coach's Award: Carson Schiller
Senior Passdown Gifts
2022 Dates To Be Announced - Winter Conditioning
Meet in the MIHS Commons at 3:00pm to discuss realistic mileage targets and winter training goals.
Winter conditioning practices will be on Mondays, Tuesday and Thursdays from 3:30- 5:00/5:30.
Mondays and Thursdays we have weight room access from 5:00 - 5:30 pm
Meet just outside the track for a combination of social running that includes tempos, fartleks and hills. For those not participating in a Winter sport, you are strongly encouraged to come as often as possible, and run on your own days.
2nd Annual MIXC Cross Country Trail Run
It’s official! The 2nd Annual MIXC (Friends, Family, & Ghosts of MIXC Past) Post-Thanksgiving Cougar Mountain Trail Run is happening the Friday after Thanksgiving.
It’s a 4.5 mile loop (with options to go longer (7ish) or shorter) for everyone who’s up for hitting the trails. Course will be flagged and is open to all MIXC runners past, present, future and any extended friends and family who happen to be in town and want to join in.
Leftover pie and hot chocolate is encouraged for the post-run tailgate.
Rain or shine, meet at the Skycountry trailhead on Cougar Mountain by 9:45…
we’ll be running by 10.
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 provide tips for maximizing nutrition for performance.
Athlete Expectations
Our objective as a coaching staff is to create an environment where every athlete understands the importance of commitment, working hard to achieve goals, and the feeling of success that comes from reaching goals.
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.
Delivery times are 4-5 weeks because of world wide procurement problems, but to start the clock ticking as soon as possible the store is CLOSING September 14th!
Team Updates
2022 KingCo Champions!
KingCo Champs and Runners Up!
Congratulations to the boys team for defending their KingCo title and to the girls for placing 2nd to Lake Washington, even though seemingly half of their team was sick. Both teams exhibited a tremendous amount grit – Juanita gave the boys a run for their money and forced them to dig a bit deeper than originally anticipated. The girls had to muster up as much resolve as possible to finish where they did. A special shout out to Elena Lill and Sophia Sung, originally selected as alternates, who both rallied and came up big when we needed them.
Also, massive congratulations to Owen Powell, who successfully kept the overall winner award in MI’s name. Last year Ryan Koopman won, becoming the first MI winner in a really long time, and to have Owen win it this year cemented MI’s status within KingCo. It is not easy to run with a target on your back, and Owen does so with humility and grace.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, MIXC is solidly on the map because of all of the really hard work these runners have put in over MONTHS (and YEARS in some cases) of training.
Below are the 1st and 2nd team All KingCo. Congrats to all!
1st All KingCo:
Owen Powell
Matthew Lawrence
2nd All KingCo:
Ava Zhang
Sofia Loop
Mia Kinney
Brooks Enge
Carson Schiller
Lars Eide
Team Newsletters
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Important Dates
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Preseason Training schedule
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MIXC Needs Your Help
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Swag Store
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Thank You's!
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Potluck
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Nike XC Invitational
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Registrations due 8/17
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Parent Meeting
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Fort Worden Retreat
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Volunteer Signups
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Swag Store
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MIHS Home Meet Thursday
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Potluck
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Twilight Run
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Season Starts 8/22
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Fall Parent Meeting Presentation
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Potluck September 25th
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IMS Home Meet Thursday
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Winning Week!
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Last Meets Week!
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Join the Board
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Getting ready for KingCo
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KingCo Champions
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Getting ready for Districts!
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Districts
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End of Season Celebration
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State