Comments From Coaches

Comments

Cross-Country at its Finest! Some comments from visiting coaches, officials, parents, and spectators about Thetford Academy meets . . .

I would like to commend you, and all of your volunteers for a job that was beyond reproach. I have been attending New England cross-country meets since I was in high school back in the late '60s. The meet which you coordinated was, in my mind, the finest production I have ever seen. Thetford Academy and its many volunteers covered every aspect possible at a meet such as this. . . . The most impressive aspect of this meet was the genuine show of warmth and hospitality by all of those involved.

Gerry Chester
Ellis Tech; Danielson, Conn.

We wish to compliment and thank you for the fantastic job you did at last Saturday's Second Annual Woods Trail Run. . . . We have never attended a more efficiently managed race. You have reason to feel very proud of your school and your community.

People's Academy Cross-Country Supporters
Morrisville, Vt.

Thanks for providing runners from all over New England, as well as their families and friends, with your hospitality this past weekend at Thetford Academy. We truly applaud your effort in making this [New England] event the best ever.

Robert Rhoades
Salem (N.H.) High School

Great meet on 11/14/92! It's too bad the meet is not always on that course!

Mark Goodwin
Bethel (Conn.) High School

The boys and I would like to thank Thetford Academy for the superb New England meet. It was everything and more that a major meet should be. The course design and condition were first-class; the organization amazing.

Dave Battles
Barrington (R.I.) High School

My son ran in the New Englands on November 14, and I wanted to applaud you and your volunteer organization for the magnificent job that you did. . . . I don't think you missed anything. From the extremely friendly army of traffic directors at I-91, [Olympian] Cathy O'Brien, [your students] singing the national anthem, to having an information booth and directing the "Vermont one-clap," your organization was superb.

John Boland
Stamford, Conn.

You should be tremendously proud. . . . From the spaghetti supper and friendship Friday evening, the cheerful welcome from school kids Saturday morning, the perfectly marked wood-chipped course, . . . the wonderful weather, the great competition, great administration and direction, . . . awards ceremony and official results — a delight beyond belief!

Douglas Sharples
St. Bernard's High School, Uncasville, Conn.
Cross-Country Chairman,
National H.S. Athletic Coaches' Association

I would like to congratulate you and all your volunteers for a well-organized, first-class meet.

Stephen Mazzone
North Smithfield (R.I.) High School

I admired tremendously and was even in awe of all the work and care that went into the [New Englands]. The pasta dinner was wonderful — a warm and friendly touch. The setting for the entire meet was superb in every way. . . . You had it all in little tiny Thetford.

Peter Leeds
Tolland High School; Willimantic, Conn.

I've been associated with cross-country meets for the past 45 years. Considering your new course and your first major meet on it, this was right up there with the best of them. . . . The course is outstanding and the volunteer officials were just marvelous.

Bill McCaffrey
XC Official & N.E.-Ranked Senior Runner
Lebanon, N.H.

My compliments and thanks for the terrific job done by you and your fellow volunteers in hosting the New Englands. The setting was indeed beautiful . . . it was obvious that you and your team saw to it that every detail was covered. It is a wonderful place to run and an equally wonderful place to watch New England's best run.. . . This one was clearly in a class of its own.

William Ryan
Westport, Conn.

I have attended numerous cross-country events during the past decade and your championship event was one of the best organized meets that I have ever viewed.

Donald Collins
Superintendent of Schools
Franklin West (Vt.) Supervisory Union