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NXN - Heartland
Donna on the Side
| Heartland Regional
November 15, 2008 at Sioux Falls SD
Iowa - Kansas - Minnesota - Nebraska - North Dakota
South Dakota - Wisconsin
Donna on the Side
by Donna Dye
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The Meet
The NXN Regionals determine team and individual qualifers for participation in the NXN Finals in Portland, Oregon, December 6, 2008. For teams, the regionals determine two automatic qualifers for boys and girls teams and two candidates for at large selection from both boys and girls teams. For individuals, it is the first five best that are not on a qualifying team that qualify for the finals. In addition to the NXN regional races, there are Freshman-Sophomore races and Open races.
The day started out sunny, windy, cold and crisp. By noon it was warmer not a windy and still sunny. But by when the championship races went on, it was very cloudy, colder and the wind had increased. Still athletes warmed up looking as though the weather didn't matter. And, on the sidelines, parents and fans drank more hot coffee and hot chocolate hoping that the weather didn't get much worse. To the surprise of many, some athletes wore only singlets and maybe a hat or gloves. Brrrrrrr said those on the side. But after the races when all gathered to hear the results, few cared about the weather. They just wanted to find out who would be headed for Portland.
Kudos for Meet Director, Kristi Rieger, her steering committee and all of the volunteers--NICE JOB. The meet was well organized and implemented. And, while we were a little uncomfortable at times because of the weather (you couldn't have helped that) we had lots of hot drinks and pizza to eat, entertainment and races to keep us busy. It all added up to a good way to spend the day, especially those headed for NXN Finals.
| | | | | | | | Kearney NE girls give a wave under a brooding sky.
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| | Tattoos to keep the memory a little longer.
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Celebrity on Site - Matt Tegenkamp
According to USATF, here are some of Matt's accomplishments: 2008 Olympic Trials 5,000m runner-up; American two-mile record holder; Two-time USA Indoor 3,000m champ (’07, ’08); 4th at 2007 World Outdoor Champs 5,000m; Two-time USA Outdoors 5,000m runner-up (’06, ’07); 2005 USATF Club XC champion; 5th in Junior race at 2001 World XC Championships; 2001 USA Junior XC champion. He is a Nike athlete.
At the NXN Heartland, Matt signed autographs and posed for pictures with fans.
The meet used electronic chips for timing. Sensors recorded splits at one mile, two miles and three miles.
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Now, Let the Races Begin
Part 1 - The Scene
Part 2 - Meet Dinner
Part 3 - The Meet
Part 4 - Entertainment
Part 5 - Heading for Portland
Part 6 - Championship Races
Part 7 - Open Races
Part 8 - Freshman - Sophomore Races
Part 9 - Everything Else on the Side
Part 10 - The Wave
Part 11 - Workerbees
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