CHS cross country kicks off 2015 season with Midnight Madness event

Posted August 25, 2015 11:00 pm

By Jim Beers Reporter

EDITOR'S NOTE: See more photos from Midnight Madness in our "photos" section.

Former Chester High School athlete Curt Gilpin has been busy developing his gameplan for a successful 2015 cross country season and kicked off his first year as head coach with his version of "Midnight Madness" on Aug. 11.

All Yellow Jacket cross country runners were invited to attend the inaugural event which started in Chester High School's Juergen's Gymnasium at 10 p.m.

A total of seven girls and 11 boys reported. Gilpin detailed team rules and policies and encouraged everyone to get off on the right foot from the beginning.

"First of all I want you to understand that you are student-athletes," he said. "Please listen carefully! You are 'STUDENT'- athletes.

"The student portion of that definition comes first and we will stress our classwork and grades above all."

Gilpin stated that he would regularly check the eligibility list and make sure all team members had good grades and followed school rules and policies. He further offered to either assist students with homework issues or arrange for help with other school personnel.

Assistant coaches Paul and Mary Stallman discussed some of the race day considerations and training plans and also offered their help with any and all issues that team members might face throughout the season.

Gilpin introduced a new motivational tool he called the "Goal Chart." All runners were instructed to come forward and sign the bright orange sheet of posterboard to indicate at least one personal goal for the season.

"I will monitor the goal chart throughout the year and see how many runners accomplish their goals," Gilpin said. "I guarantee that those runners who work hard to accomplish their individual goals will help the team as a whole to have a successful season."

The movie of the evening was a true story titled "McFarland USA." The setting was a small border town in McFarland, Calif., and involved a cross country team coached by Jim White.

White started the cross country team in this small town from scratch and throughout the inaugural season, the novice runners transformed from a bunch of undisciplined renegades to a hard-working, dedicated team that ended up winning the California State Cross Country Meet.

At 12:01 a.m., the cross country season officially began. The Yellow Jackets and Lady Yellow Jackets hit the track at 1 a.m.

Gilpin instructed four upperclassmen to lead the group in numerous stretching exercises after which the CHS runners headed to the track for their first official workout of the season.

Once on the track, Gilpin and the Stallmans led the athletes through a reverse Indian run which took approximately 30 minutes. Gilpin praised everyone for their effort and discussed the upcoming practice schedule before leading the entire group back to Juergen's Gym for a final round of refreshments.

"I am really excited about the upcoming season," Gilpin said. "Our kids are hard-working, talented and willing go the extra mile."

CHS opened competition Tuesday at the New Athens Mini Meet. The YellowJackets will host three home meets and the IHSA regional meet this year.

On Thursday, September 17, and Monday, September 28, the Yellow Jackets will host regular-season meets at the Randolph County Conservation Area.

Both meets begin at 4:30 p.m.

The annual Chester Invitational meet will take place Thursday, October 1, at 4:30 p.m. The Black Diamond Conference meet is Thursday, October 15, at a location to be announced.

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