When Oklahoma City Public Schools opened its cross country season this past month, there were no early-season exhibition runs, warm-up races, or open invitationals to ease into competition mode. Instead, the first meet on the calendar was a big one – the All-City Athletic Conference Cross Country Championship.
A bold move to put district bragging rights on the line right out of the gates. But bold is exactly how the Simon Greiner Track & Field Program and its new program director, Coach David Crynes, Ph.D., would want it.
A hyper-competitive race between intracity rivals this early in the season generates massive excitement, sparks more interest and dedication in the sport, and rewards students for all their hard work during summer training.
“The race was a success!” said Crynes. “The athletes really enjoyed themselves and teams were able to further develop their chemistry and cultures. With time, we will be able to strengthen and build more teams so that all eight district high schools are fully participating.”
Starting the season with a conference championship aligns with two central objectives of the Simon Greiner Program – increase competitiveness and enrich the student-athlete experience. The race also created a local opportunity for Coach Crynes and Simon Greiner Program partners to cheer on the kids.
The race was a success! The athletes really enjoyed themselves and teams were able to further develop their chemistry and cultures.
“With each future class of incoming cross country runners we are able to equip and empower, the ACAC meet will continue to generate more and more pride for our families, neighborhoods, and city,” Crynes said.
The ACAC XC Championship Meet may have been an unconventional way to start the 2021 cross country season but, for the kids and schools that participated, it served as the perfect starting line for the race ahead.
To learn more about the Simon Greiner Track & Field Program, please visit the program’s brand new web page and follow along for many exciting updates just around the corner.
