By popular demand, here are the words to the famous poem that debuted at the CC banquet:
'Twas the Night Before Nationals
by Coach Herold
‘Twas the night before Nationals, and all through the hotel,
Not a creature was stirring; not even Crazy Carl, that I could tell.
The jog-bras were hung o’er the shower rods with care
In hopes that a whisp of breeze might move the still air.
The runners were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of nerf darts and six-fingered hand prints danced in their heads.
And I in my room, and Coach Mack in her’s too
Were planning and dreaming how this stellar team might do.
Next day to the course we drove in a flash,
We couldn’t wait to get started; to begin with a dash.
The teams were lined up on a narrow strip of grass,
40 for the men, 33 for the women, all waiting for the clash.
The men ran first on their 5 mile pace
Urged on by many families and friends who had come for the race.
Now Billy! Now, Scott! Now Justin and Joe.
On Carl, On Hankelmaier, don’t you dare run slow!
To the bottom of the fairway, around the sixth green
They ran like gazelles, all slim, cut, and lean.
And before one could blink they arrived at the finish,
All recording 2 minute PR’s; Oh well, we can wish!
Then came the women, over 240 strong;
Our Cougars ran great, they could do no wrong.
Hannah and Kelsey shattered the 20 minute blockade.
Followed by Darce and Marissa; it was like a parade.
And Rachel, who a day earlier ne’er could take a deep breath,
Ran the course superbly, though she looked like death.
Sam followed next on the ex-soccer star’s heels,
Rolling to the finish, as if on wheels.
We checked the results and Joe was elated,
"A 1-minute PR," over and over he stated.
And Hannah was bubbly, Kelsey was too,
But Carl was still trying to get over the flu.
We sprang to our vans and went back to shower,
Past the club house and golf ball water tower.
The voyage was great and memories were fond,
Great team, great friends, and all in a bond.
