Senior Cross Country

 Bailey started her senior cross country season with a little apprehension. She was sad that all her senior friends from the year before were gone. Coach Johnson had been her coach since she was in 6th grade, but he took a job as the athletic director, so there would be two new cross country coaches. She was worried about having these big changes her last year of running. It didn't take long for all her worries to go away. She had the best season of her running career, and she said it was one of the most fun too! Her coaches were Alan Dopp and Julie Andersen, and Bailey responded really well to their training methods. You could tell that they loved coaching, and loved the kids. That always makes for a positive experience. She improved her times on almost every course this season, and had her career best race. 

Madison Dash n Splash:

13:42 (10 sec. course PR)

8th place (out of 59 runners)

This is a 2 mile course where they have the freshman and sophomore girls run together, and then they have the junior and senior girls run together. They changed the course a little bit from the previous year. Bailey ran great, and it was a great kick off to the season. There was a big fire, and the smoke was terrible when the junior and senior girls ran.

Gabby, Kayla, and Bailey were the only Jr. and Sr. girls that ran from Bonneville.

Bailey and Coach Dopp. He was Mason's pole vault coach, so we took this picture to send to Mason.

Cardinal Classic:

22:07 (17 second course PR)

29th place (out of 134 runners)

This has always been one of Bailey's favorite courses. It's a tough one with heartbreak hill!

This is such a fun group of kids! I love them all!

 Tiger/Grizz:

21:13 (4 sec. course PR)

22nd place (out of 107 in division)

27th place (out of 183 in race)

This was Bailey's last race at Freeman Park! So sad! I'm glad she went out with a course PR!

You know you had the best 4th grade teacher ever, when she comes to watch you run when you're a senior. We LOVE Ms. Johnson! I'm so glad these two have stayed in touch over the years.

Hannah, Kayla, and Bailey

Bailey loves the middle school runners, and they all adore her (especially the boys)! She's a cute photo bomber over there on the left! Even though it was the civil war football game, she still stayed and watched them run the very last race. She has been so good to them. She cheers for and encourages every one of them, and that's why they love her so much. It's seriously like she has her own little middle school fan club.

Century Challenge:

20:51 (43 sec. course PR)

9th place out of 75 runners

Bailey went after it at this race. She was gutsy and competitive!

Coach Dopp, Bailey, and Coach Andersen

I love these two so much! Cutest best friends ever! I'm so sad they won't be going to the same college!

Bob Firman:

20:09 (47 sec. course PR, and 11 sec. career PR)

16th place (out of 153 in division)

26th place (out of 240 in combined varsity race)

This was Bailey's best race of the season, and the best race of her cross country career! It was so exciting! She never expected to medal at Bob Firman after her freshman year.

It was really foggy for the first few races.

Twinners!

Natalie, Kayla, Mariell, Hannah, Anika, Zoe, Bailey, Breeanna.

Her last Bob Firman race!

Getting ready to warm up.

Crossing the finish line with her career best time!

Our four awesome seniors!

Bailey getting her medal from Bob Firman himself!

I love how excited she was!

Breeanna medaled in the freshman race, Bailey in the varsity race, and Stetson in the Elite race.

Yay! So proud of her!

Rob Campbell:

20:15 (56 sec. course PR)

14th place (out of 88 runners)

This was a fun race. Bailey's coaches told her to look up how many girls would be running in it that she would have no way of beating. She found all the information and reported back to him. He told her he wanted her to lead the race for the first 2 miles. He didn't care at all what happened after that. There were some dang fast girls, but she was willing to give it a try. She had to go out super hard! She was the leader for the first mile, and then she dropped back. I was really worried that she would just fade out of the running completely, but she did an awesome job of pushing through and holding on. She managed a big course PR, and got a medal!

The start!

She was really hurting at this point, but she kept pushing hard!

Finishing strong! Check out those leg muscles!

Bailey, Jessica, and Stetson.

Bob Conley:

20:44

24th place (out of 79 runners)

Bailey didn't compete really well this week. Her time was decent, but she just wasn't feeling it. I think her body was just tired. But nothing could damper her spirits because Jakob wore his pineapple romper! So funny!

This is the best picture EVER! Check out Jakob!

I love these guys!

City/County & Senior Night:

20:47

7th place (out of 85 runners)

Bailey has medaled at this meet every year. She was worried that she wouldn't this year, but she competed really well, and medaled easily. It was also senior night. All the seniors from each team in the city were recognized by their coaches. It was super cool!

The whole Bonneville girl's team!

Ezri came to watch the girls run!

The four awesome seniors and their coaches! Bailey, Kayla, Coach Dopp, Hannah, Jakob, Coach Andersen.

They had the great idea to hold Jakob up for a picture. Bailey couldn't do it!

They tried again with Hannah in the front, and they still couldn't do it!

Hahaha, third times a charm. They just needed Kayla in the front!

7th place!

It was a great day for her!

Districts:

21:45

18th place (out of 103 runners)

This was a very disappointing day for Bailey. She was right on the border for qualifying for the state meet. We knew with a good race she would make it. She woke up sick, and I think all the pressure just got to her. She ran the only bad race of her whole season, and it was at the worst possible time. It broke our hearts for her! She crossed the finish line, and I could tell that all she wanted to do was walk away and cry. In every race, she crosses the line, and then waits at the finish line cheering on the rest of her team. She doesn't leave until they have all crossed the line. This race was no different. She put on her happy face and cheered the rest of her team on. Once everyone was finished she walked away and let the tears come. I was so sad for her! All I could do was tell her that one bad race doesn't make a bad season. I didn't want this to take away from how awesome she did in all the other races. It's just not how she wanted her senior year to end. Especially since she was running so much better than last year. I think her emotions were from disappointment from how the race turned out, and sadness that her cross country career was over. But it only took a few minutes until she was back to her happy self, and out there cheering on the boys. Sometimes it's good for kids to experience disappointments. It helps keep life in perspective for them. That's usually when you can see a person's true character, and her's definitely showed. She is a huge example to me, and everyone else she is around.   

Last team picture! Bailey was teary eyed before the race even started. She said the last team prayer at the starting line, and got a little choked up.

She had a great start!

She hung with the top pack for the first mile, and then started to fade.

Crossing her final finish line! ;(

Becky was at the finish line, and got a little video of her crossing the line for the last time of her high school cross country career.

Bonneville boy's team! Bailey loves all these guys!

Seniors!

Kayla, Hannah, Jakob, and Bailey.

Bailey and Dillon. She's gonna miss running with him!

Bailey and Coach Dopp!

Bailey and Hannah! These girls have so many great memories together!

Bailey had a goal to not eat any ice cream during the season, and she stuck to it! To cheer her up after her race, I told her we'd go straight to Cold Stone, and she could get whatever she wanted! That is a big, well deserved ice cream!

Awards:

Bailey had to miss the banquet, because it was the same day we were leaving for our cruise. When we got back, Coach Dopp had her awards for her. She got the bar for her letter. She also got a plaque because she was awarded the Outstanding Female Athlete. She was also voted by her team to receive the 'Spirit of Bonneville' award. She works so hard, and is so kind and encouraging to everyone on her team. Very deserving awards! We're super proud of her!

Good job Bailey Rae!

Bailey has run cross country for 7 years, and Sawyer started 2 years before that. It has been the best sport, with the best kids! It has taught both of my kids so many life lessons, and made them life long friends. I'm so sad it had to come to an end, but I'm so grateful for everything our family has gained from it. It really is the best sport!