By Neil Simat
Special to The Leader
This past fall, the 2007 Oxford Middle School cross country team quietly had one of its best seasons ever. Coach Mike Forrester, as a driving inspirational force, was very proud of this group.
‘The 2007 team might be one of the strongest in school history, and they also excelled in the classroom,? said the 12-year coach.
He has watched this program grow from nine students in his first year to 50 (25 boys, 25 girls) this year. Coach Forrester is very proud of the team GPA of 3.4 and that 54 percent of the team had a first semester GPA of 3.5 or better.
Besides the academics, the kids did something else very well ? they won!
The girls team, led by seventh-grader Brook Kovacic, went undefeated in dual meets (8-0). They took first at the Waterford Mott Invitational, first at the Flint Metro League (FML) meet and second at the Lake Orion Pumpkin Invitational.
The boys team, led by seventh-grader Kyle Spencer, were also impressive. They were 7-1 in dual meets and placed 3rd in the FML meet.
Not to be outdone, the sixth grade team had a strong season as well. Coached by Libby Dolsen (6th year), the team went undefeated in dual meets and took first at the Mott Invitational. This team fielded 59 students (30 boys, 29 girls).
The sixth-grade team normally runs on a one-mile course, however, the Mott Invitational race was two miles in distance. That is a lot of running!
The accolades for all the teams were very impressive. The real story, however, is the foundation these coaches are creating in the kids.
More than 100 middle school students went out for cross country. Every student is encouraged to find their own pace. They ran in all the weather the season brings.
At the last meet of the season over half of the seventh and eighth grade team members ran their best times. Winning was secondary to the sense of accomplishment the kids felt for finishing each race.
Congratulations to the students and the coaching staff on a wonderful season, and to the parents who helped do all the little things behind the scene.
The cross country team at OMS is definitely running in the right direction.