Somerset — Elementary school is usually considered as the formative years for young children, and sports at that age is usually confined to the 30 minutes of recess on the school’s playground each day.
Very seldom are young elementary children expected to compete in sports at a high level of statewide competition.
And usually little girls are more interested in Hannah Montana and giggling at their male counterparts, than worrying about winning an athletic event.
However, all those stereotypical notions don’t really apply to the Pulaski elementary girls cross country team.
This past fall, the Little Lady Maroons coped an elementary girls cross country state championship at the Meet of Champions at Lexington’s Masterson Station. What made the youthful feat even more impressive is that the same group of young girls finished as state runner-ups the previous year, and vowed to win the state title this year.
“I really just want the girls to have so much fun with running at practice and at each race so that they cannot wait for our next practice session or race,” Pulaski elementary girls coach Nancy New said. “Several times this season, people would ask me if we were going to win state. Everyone expected us to win. Many people wanted 2009 to be the year for a state elementary girls” title.”
Finishing second in state last year was exciting, but I did not want the girls to feel the pressure that they had to win state to feel good about their season,” New explained. “I just wanted them to go out and run smart. Sure, I was hopeful, but the field of runners (418) was huge this year at Masterson Station, and I knew that the large number or runners alone could cause my girls to be nervous. They are little girls who consistently give 100 percent heart every day. They are a joy to coach, and I could never be more proud of them.”
With over 40 teams from around the state gunning for the same ‘hill-n-dale’ title, the Little Lady Maroons didn’t succumb to the pressure and ran away with the golden trophy.
“My little runners really look up to the older cross country runners and want to be just like them,” New said. “The high school and middle school harriers encourage my runners every day at practice and before every race. I do not know what we would do without Coach (Mandy) Jones and her runners. Every year, I gain great runners.”
Coach New’s love for the sport and her enjoyment in working with the young girls has proved to be a winning combination. But New always tries to instill the love of running into the girls, instead of running to win.
“During every huddle prior to the race, we talked about just going out and running a clean, injury-free race and having fun,” New said. “My consistent goal is to help the girls become life-long runners because cross country is bigger than just any one race. It’s about the discipline of your mind and body for every life situation that may arise.”
Paced by fifth-grader Alyssa Hyden’s fifth-place finish, Pulaski scored a low of 173 points to win, which was just 12 points ahead of runner-up Goshen.
“Alyssa Hyden has won so many races — everyone expects her to win,” New said. “She is such a focused young lady. Her future as a runner, as well as Devin (Mayfield) and Sarah’s (Eversoll), looks very bright. This year, my top seven (Alyssa Hyden, Peyton Ingram, Devin Mayfield, Sydney New, Sarah Eversoll, Molly Smith, and Presley Ingram) were a very young team. The state race is an overwhelming experience.”
“My girls thought they had a good chance at winning, so when the time came to announce the state champion, my top seven stood with one foot resting on the stage ready to accept their state trophy,” New said. “Everyone wanted to touch and hold the trophy when parents began snapping pictures. These young ladies have accomplished something that they may never do again in their lifetime, and it’s truly been amazing to coach these girls.”
Local Sports
Related Photos
-
The Pulaski elementary girls cross country team proudly displays their state championship trophy they won during the Meet of Champions at Lexington’s Masterson Station. The Little Lady Maroons beat out over 40 other elementary teams from around the state to win the coveted cross country award. Submitted Photo
Young State Champs
- Local Sports
-
-
Cross-town rematch tonight at Briar Patch
When Somerset and Southwestern last played -- on the second night of the high school girls basketball season -- there were more questions than answers.
-
Warriors destroy Somerset, 63-32
If defense does indeed win championships, then it’s safe to pencil in the Southwestern Warriors as a solid favorite to win the upcoming 12th Regional Tournament in a little less than a month from now.
-
Warriors, Wright return to Briar Patch
Neither the Southwestern High School boys basketball team nor their first-year head coach Steve Wright are strangers to the Somerset High School Briar Patch.
-
Lady Warriors roll to their 16th win
Another game at the Wigwam and another impressive win by the Southwestern High School Lady Warriors, after they trounced the West Jessamine High School Lady Colts 67-45 on Monday night.
-
Pulaski escapes with 78-73 OT win over Jumpers
Pulaski County head coach Al Gover knew that Somerset was a very good basketball team heading into last night’s cross-town match-up.
-
Warriors sweep District 48 play
Southwestern can now break out the brooms.
-
Lady Warriors roll to 70-43 win over North Laurel
Southwestern had two goals heading into Thursday night’s contest against North Laurel at The Wigwam.
-
Lady Jumpers fall to No. 6 Monroe Co., 58-48
The Somerset Lady Briar Jumpers tipped off in the opening round of the Touchstone Energy All ‘A’ Classic at the Frankfort Civic Center late Wednesday night, within shouting distance of the State Capital Building.
-
Southwestern dominates West Jessamine, 79-50
After a tough loss to Jeffersontown over the weekend, the Southwestern Warriors got back on the right track on Tuesday evening against West Jessamine.
-
Somerset gets tough draw with No. 6 Monroe Co.
Heading into tonight’s opening round of the Girl’s All “A” Classic at the Frankfort Civic Center, the Somerset Lady Briar Jumpers find themselves in very familiar territory — their backs up against the wall.
- More Local Sports Headlines
-
Killer of Fla. Girl Found in Landfill Gets Life
Army Orders Bradley Manning Court-martial
Cancer Charity Revives Breast-screening Grants
Heavy Snowstorm Hits Colorado On Its Way East
2nd Teacher From LA School Arrested on Sex Claim
Prosecutors Close Armstrong Inquiry, No Charges
Sights and Sounds: Football Fans Pour Into Indy
Unemployment Rate Down to 8.3%
Obama: Still Far Too Many Americans Need Jobs
GOP: Jobs Numbers Welcome, Can Do Better
Fla. Man Adopts Girlfriend in Legal Battle
More Deaths As Egypt Clashes Continue
Raw Video: Prince William in Falklands
Egpyt Protesters Blame Police for Soccer Deaths
'Lucky' 9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant
Raw Video: Michelle Vs. Ellen in Pushup Contest
First Person: Will Peyton Manning Stay in Indy?
Egypt Shaken After Deadly Soccer Riot
New Suits, New Starts for New York's Unemployed
Hall of Famer Dorsett Speaks Out on NFL Injuries
