Condor Earlybird Invitational
- 9/7/02 - Great Meet Poster by Aaron Pedroza - Meet Director Interview
- Bruce White
There are few undertakings more challenging and rewarding than a multi-team
competition in our sports of cross-country and track and field. Often
a successful activity snowballs into one where the logistics can become
quite challenging, yet it is these affairs that are often the highlight
of the season for teams and athletes. We would like to take the time to
talk to Meet Directors of major competitions around the state when they
have time to give us a few of their very hectic minutes about their particular
meet. Some background and maybe some information others could use.
This weekend's Earlybird Condor Invitational - sponsored by North Monterey
County HS in the Central Coast Section. A big meet, with great competition,
and seeming great concern shown to all who come and take part.
Bruce White, Coach at North Monterey County takes a few minutes to speak
with us below:
"I'm Bruce White, the head boys cross country coach at North Monterey
County High School and co-founder of the Earlybird, along with Jesse Soliven,
the girls cross country coach. Gustavo Ibarra forwarded your email to
me to answer some questions you had. First of all, we are all honored
that you would take an interest in our meet. We are very enthusiastic
about the meet because it has a very special feel to it. It's hard to
put a finger on it, but almost every year a few kids come up to us and
thank us for putting on such a fun meet. They seem to really enjoy themselves.
It's relaxed yet competitive and congenial. I guess that's the way it's
supposed to be. I will try to answer your questions below."
1) How Long as the Earlybird Condor Invite been in existence?
This is our 8th year. It started out with 3 teams and about 100 runners,
most of them Condors (from NMCHS). Last year, the 7th annual, there were
over 30 schools and about 1,000 runners.
2) What do you and others see as the meet concept (reason behind the
meet's being held - what give teams chance to do at this time of season,
etc.)
I started coaching in 1989 and very soon it became clear to me that our
course would be an ideal place for an invitational. It is truly spectator
friendly, with about 90% of the race easily visible...and up close and
personal because of its loops. But no serious thought was given to starting
a meet until we got fed up with a local meet 9 years ago which was poorly
organized and on a terrible course.....Other coaches also hated that meet.
So Jesse and I decided to put this meet on. We called it the Earlybird
because we are Condors (bird) and because the meet is so early (early)
in the season. The concept behind the format (boys running in grade level
races) was that whoever got the greatest number of bodies out for xc sooner
would probably have the advantage in the races. Thus, the early bird gets
the worm....or prize in this case.
3) What areas do you draw teams from?
We started out with just CCS teams...but soon more and more have come
from the central valley to escape the heat out there this time of year.
We have schools coming from Fresno, Madera, and as far north as Red Bluff
(Enterprise HS). Most schools, however, still come from CCS. It has turned
into a sort of a preview of teams in CCS, a time for coaches and runners
to size up one another early on. We've had some great teams here. D3 champs
of 2000 were here....Los Gatos. Bellarmine, Serra, St. Ignatius, San Benito
(Hollister)...Gustavo's old team...we were rival coaches. This year Madera
will be coming, it seems.
4) What group do you have in place to carry out the competition?
I'm not sure what you mean here. Jess and I organize it. Mark McConnell
from Soquel HS is gratious in running the scoring system. Our kids' parents
help out and some teachers help out.
Over the years we have had a number of small and not so small local businesses
sponsor our meet. At least several are former runners from my past teams.
They have been instrumental in making the meet possible.
5) Do you think you do any things unique in your utilization of local
resources for the meet?
Not really. I know one of the first meets we had an Aztec dancer come
and perform a ceremony with drums and dance before the beginning of the
first race. We have had kids from our high school beat on drums during
races. I'd personally like to get a group of Japanese drummers to play
during the races. Our shirt design, the one that looks like a poster,
was designed by one of my former runners, a young man who was on my first
CCS championship team......he designed several previously, and did some
designing in HS for xc and football uniforms...He's now a graphic designer
by trade. His name is Aaron Pedroza....He'll be stoked about getting his
name mentioned. He also designed the original course map. Jesse took that
concept and changed the map to reflect the course changes. I think his
daughters helped, but I'm not sure. I like the original one more...but
it is a cool map regardless.
6) What kind of timing, placing, and results system do you use for the
athletes who run?
You know, Mark McConnell runs that. I truly don't even have anything
to do with that. He just makes it happen. The kids wear bibs of course
with bar codes.
7) Any thoughts given to the course layout for toughness, viewability,
etc.?
It's not an extremely tough course, except the second time up the hill.
It's a fast course. The viewability, however, is like no course I have
EVER been on or heard of. It really gives the coach an excellent opportunity
to watch his or her runners during the race. And parents and friends love
the course for the same reason.
8) What advice would you have for someone else considering starting a
multi-team affair such as yours?
Find a good course....make it spectator friendly....organize it well (don't
be late for your own invitational...I overslept on the 5th one)....and
make it fun......Also, don't be stingy on the awards...make 'em nice as
possible.
Thanks Bruce - Best of Luck - Doug Speck
Dyestat Cal News
|