The Pirates for Pirates Challenge is happening now, and this is the time to support Cross Country!

We are off to a great start this year with the women winning our first meet at home and the men finishing second. Addie Jackson was the individual champ at the first meet as well! Both teams executed our race plan to perfection, which was our top priority for the first race. 

They showed similar savvy in our second meet against some tougher competition and did a great job passing people in the final mile. The women and men finished 3rd and 5th, respectively. Battling some muddy conditions and some sickness at the SU Showdown, we still had some good lessons learned and a few big PR's. Next, we'll head up to DFW to close out the regular season at the DBU Old Glory Gallup.

While we are in the middle of our season, there are some opportunities for your support to have a direct impact on the team. We will have two flights later this fall for the SAA Conference Championships in Sewanee, TN, and the NCAA West Regional in Spokane, WA. I use the funds we raise here to make our travel as smooth and comfortable as possible. For example, improving the quality and convenience of our meals, buying extra gear we may need to be prepared for the weather, and adding opportunities for unique experiences in these new places.

Additionally, the team loves to go down to Lake Austin for a long run around the river trail and hop in Barton Springs to cool off before hitting Torchy's on the way home. Trips and team bonding stuff, like the shirts we tie-dyed last year, are what these funds help make a reality. It's not world-altering, but these opportunities are where some of the best memories of the athlete's time in the program are created.

We've also been bringing in a nutritionist each season to educate the team on how to take care of their bodies, and using that knowledge to stock our snack box, which we have at every practice and meet. Gotta put premium fuel in the Ferrari if you want premium performance!

With our return to SCAC in 2026-27, I want to continue offering unique travel experiences and take the team to new places in the country against out-of-region competition we wouldn't otherwise see. I'm looking for a trip out to the Midwest or Northeast in the middle of the season, and to have us race in some historical/iconic cross country meets. This will be a completely fundraised trip every other year, and I want to be able to bring every person on the team. It's not just a fun trip, but this kind of exposure supports the program's growth and development while increasing our national recognition.

Our goal this year is to have 40 donors during the Pirates for Pirates Challenge. When we reach our goal, I will join the team for the conference preview run dressed as a pirate. Reaching this goal will also unlock an additional $2,000 for the program! Ashley and Brent Jackson P'29 are also offering a generous matching gift opportunity to double your impact, giving $1 for $1, up to $3,000!

Thanks and Go Pirates!

Joe Sponsel
Head Coach, Men's and Women's XC