|
Rain and Mud Grasp Everything but the Team's Soul
by Carson Byrd
Mars Hill College Cross Country Team
Dedicated to Bobby Beeson
May 8, 1985- Nov 7, 2003
Women's team warming up.
|
CARY, N.C. - A light rain fell at the Towne Place Marriott as Coach Owens, Craig, Dustin, Jon, and I head out to a nearby greenway for a shakeout run. We talk about how the rain has probably soaked the course and turned it into a mud pit. Dustin describes his strategy with Coach Owens. Their breath is visible in the cool air.We return ten minutes later to the hotel to get ready for the meet. Before I walk through the door I glance towards the woods across the road in front of the hotel.
The rain continues to fall.
We arrive at the SAS Soccer Park around 9 a.m. The bus slows to a halt and everyone gets off the bus to take in the pre-race scene. The rain still falls gently, the swishing sound of runners in wind-suits fills the air, and Mars Hill parents and friends start to gather around the bus.
Men's team warming up.
|
Tyler and Rachel dash off on their run. Elliot and I brave the drizzle and cool temperatures and run in nothing but our shoes, socks, and running shorts. When we return, our shoes, legs, and the back of our shorts are covered in mud. I report to Craig, Dustin, Daniel, and others on the course conditions.
The rain starts to fall a little harder.
The girls' race is about to start. BANG! They head down the gravel, dirt, and grass hill. They disappear into the woods where they'll run a few loops before they ascend the 600 meter long hill they went down at the start.I dash over to a portion of the course at the top of the hill beside the parking lots. Kate runs in third, about forty meters behind the leader. Greta follows closely in sixth place. Kristen and Tabatha run ten meters apart. Ashley runs along a couple of seconds later with Chelsea not too far behind. Erin pushes hard to catch runners a little further back. The Lady Lions finish in that order.
"Hands in" for men's team.
|
The rain still falls.
I help the guys as they finish their final preparations for the race. I walk over to the start line, find out what box our team is in, and then go over and stand in box 20. Dustin and Jon lead the team to the box, all faces hard and focused. They begin their strides. I walk with Coach Owens and Coach Bailey a hundred meters down the hill. We gather into a circle, put our hands in the center, and go through our normal pre-race chat. We encourage, advise, and support each other. I lead the prayer that flows into the Lord's Prayer.We break it down on three and yell "MHC!" Craig, Daniel, Dustin, Jon, James, Corey, and Steve jog up to the starting line and take their place in box 20. They take off their warm-ups to reveal their blue and white uniforms. On the left strap of each singlet is a piece of athletic tape. On it is written the number 128.
Craig Eckstein leading, and later winning the men's race.
|
They stand ready for the start. "Runners set!" BANG!
The rain still falls.
People watch the runners head down the hill into the woods, then run to another spot to catch a glimpse of them. I sprint to a spot near the opening of the woods on the back loop. The lead cart passes, and Craig and Ryan Willis of Catawba run 1-2. Not long after, Daniel runs at the head of a small chase pack with Dustin, Jon, and Corey near the back of it. James and Steve run by about fifty meters back.
The rain slows and then stops.
I go into the woods to the top of a small hill. The cart passes by once again. Craig pushes up the hill with Larry Marshall of St. Augustine's on his shoulder in second. Daniel flies by in fifth; Dustin, Jon, and Corey cruise by, picking off runners. James and Steve run up and down the hill and keep racing in the woods.
Men's team after the race.
|
The cart passes by on the last loop of the race. I see one runner through the trees, flying through the mud and making the turn to approach the hill. It's Craig! He makes the turn and starts to fly over the hill. I yell and cheer as much as I can. I look back after Craig disappears into the rest of the woods and wait for the runner in second place to run by. Willis blitzes through the woods, over a hundred meters back. Daniel remains in fifth as he tries to catch Chris Hyatt of Pfeiffer. Dustin speeds by, picking off runners like a farmer picks apples from a tree, one by one. Jon and Corey run by, ten meters back, doing the same. James presses the hill, passing a group of three runners. Steve follows a little while later, chasing a pack of runners.
Craig cruises the last mile to an easy victory. Daniel sprints in for fifth with Dustin finishing four spots back in ninth. Jon and Corey finish 21st and 26th, James finishes 33rd, and Steve crosses the line in 69th, respectively. We all give each other hugs, high-fives, and congratulations. Jon and Corey hug. Jon's parents and sister, who flew Friday morning from
(l. to r.)Ashley McCauley, Kristen Shipley, Erin McKee, Greta Statler, Kate Prichard, Tabatha Lee, Chelsea Haines
|
Wisconsin, give him a hug and tell him what an awesome job he did. We head back to the bus with the parents and the fans. There we get brownies, candy, and treat-bags from some of the parents. After getting cleaned up, we walk over to an area near the starting line for the awards presentation.
A giant side of the crowd is nothing but Mars Hill runners, fans, and parents. Coach Owens, who is also the Southeast Region representative, announces the awards. When it's all said and done, Mars Hill's women's team receives three All-Region runners in Kate (3rd), Greta (6th), and Kristen (12th). Coach Owens wins the Coach of the Year award, and to top it off, the women win the Southeast Region team title by outdistancing Lees-McRae 67-76.Mars Hill's men's
(l.to r.) John Stoner, Craig Eckstein, Corey Simons, Dustin Shinholser, James Thompson, Daniel Amick, Steven Pearce
|
team also earns three All-Region runners with Craig winning the race, Daniel finishing fifth, and Dustin finishing in ninth. Coach Owens also wins Coach of the Year on the men's side, and Craig is all smiles as he receives runner of the year honors. The men's team wins the team title over Lenoir-Rhyne, 62-80. After the awards, we gather in the middle of the starting area and circle up. After that we hug our fans, parents, talk to fellow runners and then hop on the bus.
The clouds begin to break up.
We stop for a quick bite to eat and then get back on the bus for the four-hour ride back to The Hill. Some are sleeping, some listen to their CD and MP3 players, and some watch "Ali" on the TVs. We're excited about returning to Nationals for the second consecutive year, but returning home is going to be difficult. We return with questions in our heads and without a teammate, a friend and a brother.
Bobby's number "128".
|
Our journey to Nationals is almost complete. Our journey through life is going to be rough, but we're a strong team, a strong family. While on my run this morning with Elliot, he said that he's been on teams where, if all of the stuff of this season had occurred, those teams would have split apart. He went on to say that he knew our team would roll today, and we would stick together afterwards. He's right. The movie continues to play, and the sun sets on the road as we continue home.
The sky is blue.
The number on the piece of athletic tape, 128, was to be Bobby's race number. We wore it for him, and we felt him with us every step, every stride. Our team thanks everyone for their love and support through this rough time. We'll carry his spirit with us every run, every race, and every day. We'll never forget Bobby Beeson.
HOME
|
