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Donna on the Side

Portage Invitational - Part 1

by Donna Dye

10/7/00 PORTAGE MI -- The Great Lake State is home to the Portage Cross Country Invitational, Portage, Michigan, just south of Kalamazoo. For those who care about such things, Kalamazoo is a name adapted from an Indian name "kikalamazoo" meaning boiling water. Here you will also find the Kalamazoo Air Zoo-Where the history of flight comes alive. (Only air zoo I ever heard of!)

But to me the most important thing is that this is "pop" country. I was born and raised in Detroit, where I grew up with "pop." Then I moved around the country and pop turned into "soda." But one trip to the Portage Invitational refreshment stand gave refreshment a new meaning: I was home! I walked away with my "pop" in hand feeling warm and fuzzy thoughts of yesteryear.

You had to be a true cross country nut or a loving parent to be at the Portage meet. The weather brought out sunscreen, gloves, umbrellas, hoods. It was a day of drippy hair, drippy noses, red noses and sniffles depending on which part of the day you were there.

But all in all, it was great fun. The meet was well organized, managed, run and scored. And, I met some really friendly, charming people. Congratulations to all!

Virtual community meets face to face
After getting to know each other on the DyeStat Message Board, these guys finally meet face to face. Moodyrunner drove from Wisconsin, steveu from Georgia (via a HS reunion in Lansing), distancebrain from somewhere in Michigan, and John_Dye from Maryland to see the Portage Inv.

Portage Central Parent Volunteer Donna Alexander (What would Cross Country be like without the parents?)
	Donna's daughter Meredith is a 9^th grader who was Portage Central's best runner in Division 1 with a very respectable 19.58 finish. She will be deciding between soccer and track soon. Meredith, cross country/track needs you!

Portage Central grads Tom Murray and Steven Lam handled the announcing and music. Murray was flown back from Arizona State, where he is a broadcasting student.


	Medics Dr. Marquerite Saith (left, above) and Lisa Osterbrock were on hand early to attend to injuries. And before long, there were runners to treat.

This is cereal country !
Karen Jackson watches for her daughter, Taylor, from Millwood Middle. A Cold Hands But Warm Heart Parent
Proud Grandparents: Carl and Eleanor Fry, came to cheer for Wayland. Their daughter, Sue Brewer, coaches Wayland Middle School, and their granddaughter, Emily Brewer, was Wayland High's best runner in Div 2.
Grand Haven runner Crystal Bultje (R) had strong family support (below): parents John and Mary Hockstra, grandparents Jack and Marian Hockstra and, in the carriage, sisters Catherine and Elizabeth.

Heidi Schroeder, Hastings, also had a big following for her 11th place finish in Division 2

Go to Portage Part 1 - Portage Part 2 - Portage Part 3

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