Yesterday, the Convent & Stuart Hall cross country team participated in the annual Jim Tracy Challenge to honor the life of Bay Area cross country coach. Convent & Stuart Hall had runners in all four divisions which were freshman and sophomore girls and boys, as well as varsity girls and boys; all of which ran the standard 5k.
Jim Tracey was a cross country coach for a Bay Area highschool for over two decades before he lost a courageous battle to ALS in early 2014, according to MileSplit United States. Jim’s leadership and admirable coaching lead to the development of an award winning documentary, “Running for Jim”, which highlights his inspirational story as a coach and battle with ALS. The film serves as a tribute to his lengthy career through the eyes of his athletes, family, and coaches from other Bay Area schools inspired by his dedication.
“This course is a 5k we have run for many years,” said Community Life Chair Michael Buckley. “Starting and finishing in Lindley meadow, this course now avoids the trail around Middle Lake, which is currently closed,”
The Convent & Stuart cross country team only had one full team for the Jim Tracey Challenge, which was the freshman and sophomore boys. After the points tallied up, they came in a close second behind first by only two points which was enough to earn them a trophy that sits in the trophy case on the Octavia campus, according to Buckley.
“This meet is always one of my favorites,” said junior Annika Carpenter. “Not only because it’s our first 5k of the season, but because it’s something to look forward to every year. This meet also has a really important meaning behind it which makes me really excited to support the cause through running,”
This annual event has been happening for six years, and each year around twelve total teams from the Bay Area compete. The race Convent & Stuart Hall participated in yesterday is one of the two annual races, according to Carpenter. The second occurs every April, and is a public event hosted by Golden West Chapter. Proceeds from the Jim Tracey Challenge will go directly to the Golden West Chapter and their mission to aid funds related to essential care services, and modern research.
“I’m looking forward to all of our league meets this year,” said senior Jalysa Jones. “As a senior, this season is super important and exciting to me,”
The Convent & Stuart Hall cross country team will compete together again this coming Tuesday for their first league meet of the 2023 season, according to sacredsf. However, seniors will be competing at the Woodbridge Invitational this Friday. This meet is a prestigious meet that the seniors will compete at for the first time, according to Buckley.
“Woodbridge has grown to rival the Mt. Sac meet in scale and prestige and it will be our first time racing there,” said Buckley. “Perhaps unique among cross country meets, Woodbridge is run at night under artificial lights.”
