teamspotlight
Calvin Christian
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The Squires placed 4 in the top 16 to defeat all top teams at the MSU Nike/ Playmaker Spartan Invitational with a new course record team time.
2011 NHSCA Small School National Team Champions: Running to Be Extraordinary
By Aron Taylor
"If you run for yourself you will be good, if you run to please your coach/team you will be better, if you run to honor God in how you use your talents you will be the best you can be." ~Laurens Tenkate, Calvin Christian Head Coach
Recently at the Michigan State University Nike / Playmaker Spartan Invitational seven runners from the small 370 total student body school dominated top teams in the state while establishing a new team course record. Running against Michigan's best prep teams the defending Division 3 State Champions put the nation on notice that they are running to be extraordinary and possibly into the record books.
Returning the top five varsity scorers from last seasons Michigan LP State Championship
team the National High School Coaches Association 2nd Edition US#9 Nationally Ranked
Calvin Christian Squires made the decision to take on all-comers this season. For the first
time the team entered the Elite Division at the Michigan super-meet and won! The team is
currently undefeated and unchallenged with a front four as dominant as any in the nation.
Over the MSU Forest Akers East Golf Course senior Simon Reidsma ran 15:42; senior Josh
Kersjes 15:46; senior Justus Pinckney 15:55; junior Zac Nowicki 15:58. The Calvin Christian team average of 16:07 is astonishing. To put the effort into perspective the #3 varsity runner Pinckney is a 9:25 two-miler. The last two seasons only seven runners have broken 16-minutes over the 5000 meter course and only 10 in three years. Of those individuals who accomplished the feat 4:07-miler Omar Kaddurah 15:55 in 2009, 4:07-miler Michael Atchoo 15:38 in 2009, and Foot Locker Finalist Caleb Rhynard 15:30 in 2010.
"Going into the race (MSU Nike/Playmaker Spartan Invitational) we were confident we had what it took to win, but we also knew that there were some great teams in the race that wouldnt make it easy for us. We did what we always try to do and ran as a pack for much of the race, and it paid off. We were glad to finally able to prove ourselves in a big race against teams from every division. We have about 370 kids in our school, 9th through 12th grade, and to be able to compete against teams from schools with thousands of students is something that will never cease to amaze us. Winning the Spartan Invitational was a huge confidence booster for us in the training we've been doing and our abilities as runners." ~Justus Pinckney
"We try not to take things for Granted. Winning the D3 state championship is a goal that we will have to work for this year. However, our goals do extend to greater heights than that championship. The MSU meet was greatly anticipated this year, as we felt that we had a serious opportunity to contend in the Elite race. Coach Laurens Tenkate has been dreaming off an opportunity to run against all divisions for a while. That dream became a reality after only one our top 7 graduated last year. Now our goals can stretch to even larger horizons, on both personal and team levels. As we strive for a repeat championship, who knows what we can accomplish, on both a state and national basis." ~Simon Reidsma
"We all share an enormous passion for running. The four of us have trained year around together for the past few seasons. We hold each other accountable and push each other to reach new heights. We have seen the potential for years now, and everyone has wondered just how fast we could be in 2011. That potential has driven us to lay it all on the line and focus all our energy on becoming the best runners we can be. God has blessed us all with a gift. Coach Laurens Tenkate often reminds us that it is up to us what we do with that gift. The four of us (and many other runners on the team) have decided to give it everything we have. That means putting in the miles in during the winter and summer. It also means being willing to do the extra workouts and little things to improve. None of this is done alone. We do it together and above all, it all comes through the grace of God. In 2008 we had a solid group of upperclassmen runners. They made it to state and placed sixth which was extremely exciting for everyone involved. Those are the runners who inspired us to apply ourselves and go after it. People may look at our team and say wow, look at their top 4. But it is our whole team (past and present) that has resulted in our recent success." ~Simon Reidsma
"When you are able to train everyday with a group of guys who push you and demand your very best, improvements are bound to happen. That's what we have at Calvin Christian. Everyday we push each other to be the best that we can be. We try to go into everything with a team first attitude, and when you have that mentality you're no longer running just for your own sake, but for the sake of all your friends and teammates and that will always cause you to run much better than you could on your own." ~Justus Pinckney
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Calvin Christian
Photo Squire XC
Senior Simon Reidsma 15:42, Senior Josh Kersjes 15:46, Senior Justus Pinckney 15:55, and Junior Zac Nowicki 15:58 lead US#10 Calvin Christian to all-time team time (16:07 avg) to win MSU Nike/ Playmaker Spartan Invitational.
US#9 Boys Team Running to Be Extraordinary
By Aron Taylor
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This season the National High School Coaches Association is awarding a team national championship to the top prep boys and girls cross country teams in America. The National High School Coaches Association Team Rankings will award the top team in the nation as official high school cross country national team champions.
The Calvin Christian performance at the MSU Nike meet along with the previous four weeks domination catapulted them into the NHSCA Second Edition National Rankings. Currently Calvin Christian is ranked #9 in the nation and poised for a state championship and possibly national championship run.
"To be nationally ranked brings out the most incredible of feelings. We have been putting in hard work for many years now in effort to contend in D3 and Michigan. I don't think anyone would have said 4 years ago that in 2011 we would contend nationally. We have gone through a lot as a team and have experienced our ups (State title in 2010) and downs (Falling short in 2009). These experiences have only made us stronger, and have contributed to our recent success. To be in this position (nationally ranked) is a true blessing. To contend with teams all over the nation is cause for great excitement. As a team we will focus on improving and reaching our best. No matter what happens the rest of this season we are all thankful for every runner on our team and I look forward to seeing what we can do." ~Simon Reidsma
"To be nationally ranked is incredible. There are so many great runners and teams out there that to know your team is one of the top ones in the nation is a real honor. If we were able to compete for a national team championship I know the whole team would feel very blessed, and that we would make sure to run our best to represent ourselves and our school." ~Justus Pinckney
"It is a very fun thing to think about, but it most definitely will not happen without much more hard work and preparation. We are going to work on staying humble, not take anything for granted, and keep training hard and see what we can do the rest of this season. We will work on being the best we can be and giving the glory to God no matter what happens the rest of this season. Now that we are in the spotlight it becomes even more important that we represent our school and families in a positive way through our actions and how we compete." ~Andrew Rylaarsdam
"I feel like there is some pressure and a target on our backs due to our success. We have to just keep competing and working our hardest. If we go out every day knowing that we are training to the best of our God-given abilities, then we will be content with however this season plays out. Improvement has been based on our training regime. Our coach has really helped make us who we are. He has taught us to do the little things to get better." ~Josh Kersjes
The top team in Michigan and perhaps one of the smallest in America understands where much is given, much is expected. Poised with an opportunity of a lifetime they are taking each week one meet at a time, enjoying the journey and the recognition of their faith, persistence, and determination to be excellent in all things. The journey has just begun for the 2011 Calvin Christian boys cross country team.
"A bible verse that our team has been keeping in mind this year is Luke 12:48:
From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
We believe that God has given us the ability to run at a high level. Our goal is to use this gift to our very highest potential, if we do that whatever we end up accomplishing can be considered a success. I'm so proud of our whole team. God has blessed us with an amazing team and amazing coaches. It's not all about the end result but the journey that we take to get there and it has been great. I couldn't have better teammates and coaches. When we found out the results of the MSU meet everyone just went crazy, it was an amazing feeling and I am sure I will remember it for a long time." ~Andrew Rylaarsdam