The Dream Team

 As a proud mentor, supporter, and auntie I have to brag about what I can consider the best Cross Country teams in the history of Ortega Middle School. My nephew and other former ITA members  who have been involved with in the arena are now members of these two amazing teams.

Two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to go to Gunisson, Colorado to witness history on the making. Many of the girls and boys I worked with last summer during the Run With US! program are now part of these teams and let me tell you there is nothing more exciting that seeing this kids compete and be in the athletic arena.What makes these teams special is the diversity in them. Their friendships and how all of them care for each-other. As an spectator and huge supporter, I can clearly see how proud they are to be  representing their school, their culture, their backgrounds and themselves.

This year the boys made history last week by perfect scoring in Buena Vista and this weekend they kept their winning streak by winning in Salida with only 12 points.

Behind a great team, there are also great stories and Ortega Middle School kids have great stories to tell. Some have no shoes to compete in, so this is where people like me,  mentors and supporter, come in. I was very happy to be able to match one of the runners with an Adamas State Runner who was able to donate a pair of used shoes. The smile and happiness seeing in the kids that were able to get shoes was priceless.

After the Salida meet I took my nephew, Oscar and Miguel with me for breakfast, a tour of the city and  we were able to visit on our 2 hour drive back home. The stories I've heard and the struggles some of these youngsters have already overcome at this early age are truly inspiring.
Im glad they are on the right path, surrounded by amazing Coaches and unbelievable supporters.
With already four wins under their belts and already a pecfect score  in their resumes, all I could say is these kids really came together at the perfect time, in the perfect place and are surronded with the perfect people. A Dream Team many only wish they could be part of. To all OMS athletes and  Coaches, CONGRATS!!!

What is Cross Country?

Cross country running is a sport in which teams and individuals run a race on open-air courses over natural terrain. The course, typically 4–12 kilometres (2.5–7.5 mi) long, may include surfaces of grass and earth, pass through woodlands and open country, and include hills, flat ground and sometimes gravel road. It is both an individual and a team sport, runners are judged on individual times and a points scoring method for teams. Both men and women of all ages compete in cross country, which usually takes place during autumn and winter, and can include weather conditions of rain, sleet, snow or hail, and a wide range of temperatures.

 Scoring
Scores are determined by summing the top four or five individual finishing places on each team.  Points are awarded to the individual runners of eligible teams, equal to the position in which they cross the finish line (first place gets 1 point, second place gets 2 points, etc.). The points for these runners are summed, and the low score wins. Individual athletes, and athletes from incomplete teams are excluded from scoring. Ties can be broken in several ways. In high school competition, ties are resolved in favor of the team whose next non-scoring member finishes first. In U.S. college competition, ties are not resolved.^[4]
The lowest possible score in a five-to-score match is 15 (1+2+3+4+5), achieved by a team's runners finishing in each of the top five positions. If there is a single opposing team then they would have a score of 40 (6+7+8+9+10), which can be considered a "sweep" for the winning team. In some competitions a team's sixth and seventh runner are scored in the overall field and are known as "pushers" or "displacers" as their place can count ahead of other runners.

MY PLATE

Yes, lately there has been too much

good on MY PLATE. After my trip to London,I immediately embarked in a new project. My very fist full time job ever, Coaching.

This job could not come at a better time. I've been disable to train at a higher level for the past 8 months  and this opportunity along with  my Community service with In The Arena and Run With US!  have kept my plate deliciously  full.

  I do not believe in coincidences, I believe in causes. Yes, my health issue had a reason. If I was 100% healthy and in a competitive mood most likely I would not taken the oportunity to be part of the best Coaching staff in the nation, The Adams State University Cross Country. Not being able to train and compete also left me economically short handed. So, as you can tell this job came at the perfect time. Running has been and will always be a big part of my life, therefore I am very greatful to have the opportunity to share my knowledge and experiences with the young group of men and women of Adams. Having the chance to work along side my long time Coach Damon Martin is indeed another blessing in my life.  A new commitment, a new responsibility and so far wonderful journey. Yeah!!!

 

My brother Arturo Javier Tutoring Math :) 

Arturo, Jorge helping with reading, and Norma with Spanish

On the civic aspect, ITA after school tutoring program is rolling again. Now with new changes (positive ones) in schedule. We will start tutoring Mondays to Thursdays from 5:00- 6:30p.m . The first hour will be devoted to homework and the last 30 minutes will be all about being active and putting into practice all we learned in the summer with Run With US!, so the last half hours the kids will have an active activity.From time to time, I will spend a few minutes to go over some nutrition and goal setting tips from RWUS! with the kids. We have to keep the information fresh just like our dinner plates. This past week we had extra help. A few of my brothers and sisters were in town and  spend some time with my ITA tutoring kids.

Alicia Reading Monitoring Group Reading

6 Year ITA member, Nephew Brayan reading for my little nice Eli

In the name of all of our kids that beneft from this program, Thank You Tierra Nueva, Immigrant Resource Center, In The Arena and Run With US! for contributing to make the after school program better and better each year. Our kids are excited to work hard this year and achieve some goals they set this summer during RWUS! Quite honest, Im am amazed of how much can be done when one is not fully training. Even though, I've been out of the competitive Arena for a while and at times miss it, I am very happy and excited to utilize this time to explore  the professional side. No doubt there is indeed time for everything in this life and today Im absolutely happy to a full PLATE!

Me reading to our kids :)