Board of Education Recognizes State Track Participants

The Woodland District 50 Board of Education at Tuesday's Governing Board meeting in Gurnee recognized two Woodland Middle School students for being the first to qualify for the Illinois Elementary School Association XC state meet held in Normal, Illinois on Saturday, October 15.

Both athletes participated in a 2-mile run. Collin Jones (8th grade) cut his 2-mile run time from 11:48 to 10:55 and Luke Wiley (7th grade) cut his time from 12:08 to 11:30, which means both boys finished in the top half of the runners.

"Reaching the State meet is a goal of all runners on the team. At goal setting during the first week of practice, most kids make participating in state their #1 goal. Collin and Luke set that goal and worked to accomplish it," said Jennifer Grablin, XC Head Coach and Boys Track Head Coach. "Collin and Luke worked hard all season at practice, pushing each other and supporting each other. We have had an XC team at the middle school for four years, but this is the first time we had any runner qualify," she said, adding that both boys represented Woodland well by displaying excellent sportsmanship at every meet.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joy Swoboda said, "Heartfelt congratulations goes out to these two young athletes who achieved a first for Woodland Schools. They are proof that hard work and perseverance results in reward."

Assistant Coaches for the team are Jennifer Malinoski and Kristen Schuler. "The coaches could not possibly be any prouder of Collin and Luke. As co-captains they understand not only the meaning of commitment, hard work, and communication in forging a strong team, but they are examples of those attributes on and off the course. They are respected amongst their peers for good reason," Grablin said.