Friday Night Lights

The Woodlands Lady Highlanders Cross-Country Booster Club and team hosted the first high school meet of the school year on Friday night, August 28. We had over 1,700 athletes signed up to compete at Bear Branch Fields in The Woodlands.

After several years of heading up the event,
Cindy and Scott Andrews eagerly passed the torch of "Race Director" to me this year. But, fortunately, both stayed on to coordinate volunteers and help in countless other ways. Thank heavens!

At 8:30am, we had a great troop of eager and able-bodied volunteers doing the back wrenching work of setting up the course to accomodate the 2 mile and 2.8 mile course for the competing JV and Varsity boys' and girls' teams. Others were helping set up the concession stand under the competent direction of Martha Miller.

By 5pm, we were in the midst of signing up folks for the open race, helping coaches get their race packets, putting volunteers in place, checking the timing system, and all the countless other last minute chores. Things were coming together.

At 6:30 pm sharp the 2 mile open race was underway! My eighth grade daughter, Anna, was competing along with a slew of high school students and other adults from the community. We watched as the competitors made their way around the first loop of the course. At 6:38pm, a violent burst of wind snapped the tent for our timer and announcer. No one was harmed, but the timing clock was knocked over forcing us to announce times as the runners crossed the finish line.

The uncooperative weather persisted. Several streaks of lightning crossed the sky forcing a delay of the remaining races. More lightning forced the cancellation of the race much to the disappointment of the everyone -- athletes, coaches, spectators, and volunteers.

On a positive note, as a Race Director I'm so appreciative of all the effort and hard work that so many people put in to make a great race. Is it too early for me to ask for you to volunteer for next year's Friday Night Lights?