The Daily OrangeFor 3 SU runners, speaking at Alabama high school serves as inspiration for season
By Lorne Fultonberg
Posted: 9/18/09, 2:58 AM EST Section: Sports
There was a legitimate buzz in the air on Aug. 15 just outside of Scottsboro, Ala. And it wasn't just the mosquitoes and other bugs flying around outside. In a converted hunting lodge located "in the middle of nowhere," 35 young, eager faces awaited their retreat's keynote speakers.
The "middle of nowhere" is no exaggeration, either. There's no cell phone reception at the lodge, and televisions are not allowed. The members of the Scottsboro High School cross country team have been isolated for two very specific purposes: to focus on their running, and to build team unity.
Syracuse cross country members Griff Graves, Steve Murdock and Cassie White took center stage and looked out at the standing room only crowd. They proceeded to address the impressionable young runners about overcoming obstacles, running in general, and the road ahead. Driving over 1,000 miles from Syracuse, Graves, Murdock and White were there to give back.
Graves, a sophomore from Abingdon, Va., attended Scottsboro High School for his freshman year before moving. During his tenure at SHS, he developed a particularly close relationship with Scottsboro coach John Esslinger.
"My head coach had a big impact on me and me running," said Graves. "Everything he taught me as an eighth grader and as a freshman in high school helped form the runner I am today."
Inviting the runners to speak was the idea of Graves' father Tom, a seven-time All-American at Auburn, and former assistant superintendent in Alabama. The elder Graves pitched the idea to Esslinger, who was more than happy to oblige.
"We thought it would be a good idea for some college kids to inspire our kids to work hard and fight through injuries and accomplish some of the things these guys and girls have done," Esslinger said. "It just motivated and inspired them to work harder, and they could accomplish something if they really put their mind to it."
The "middle of nowhere" is no exaggeration, either. There's no cell phone reception at the lodge, and televisions are not allowed. The members of the Scottsboro High School cross country team have been isolated for two very specific purposes: to focus on their running, and to build team unity.
Syracuse cross country members Griff Graves, Steve Murdock and Cassie White took center stage and looked out at the standing room only crowd. They proceeded to address the impressionable young runners about overcoming obstacles, running in general, and the road ahead. Driving over 1,000 miles from Syracuse, Graves, Murdock and White were there to give back.
Graves, a sophomore from Abingdon, Va., attended Scottsboro High School for his freshman year before moving. During his tenure at SHS, he developed a particularly close relationship with Scottsboro coach John Esslinger.
"My head coach had a big impact on me and me running," said Graves. "Everything he taught me as an eighth grader and as a freshman in high school helped form the runner I am today."
Inviting the runners to speak was the idea of Graves' father Tom, a seven-time All-American at Auburn, and former assistant superintendent in Alabama. The elder Graves pitched the idea to Esslinger, who was more than happy to oblige.
"We thought it would be a good idea for some college kids to inspire our kids to work hard and fight through injuries and accomplish some of the things these guys and girls have done," Esslinger said. "It just motivated and inspired them to work harder, and they could accomplish something if they really put their mind to it."
Be the first to comment on this story