Nick in XC

[Nick "Turbo" Hartle]

Hey, it's me, Turbo. Well, I'm not really Turbo anymore. My nickname on the Centennial Cross Country team is Senor Fruity Pants (thanks to those dang Laker color uniforms). I know some of you know how I've been doing, but I thought I could post some of my results here. My first meet I placed first in 2.6 miles with a blazing (not really) time of 14:46. In the Grizzley Jamboree, Nate (That fast kid on the Blazin' Onez that won the 1500) and I placed second to two Palo Verde Seniors. The third meet was at Centennial, and I placed third behind only Nate and Sam Mahar. The LVI (Las Vegas Invitational) was next and I placed 30th out of 150 kids. It was my first 5K (3.1 Miles) and I got a time of 18:18. The fifth meet was at the Meadows and I got second only to Nate. We were one point away from a perfect score. Then, my favorite race of September, the Laughlin Invitational. I won the 5K Varsity race with a time of 17:20, the seventh fastest time on that course. Next, was the 5K course of the Nike Pre-Nationals. This was in Oregon and was the coolest trip for XC. I finished 25th with a time of 16:46. That was my 5K PR. Nate got second and got 15:45. Next was the Lake Mead Invitational. Nate won (shocker, huh?) and I got third. Yes, Sam Mahar beat me, but he and a Green Valley kid took a wrong turn, cut me off getting back on, and the Green Valley kid fell. I almost got DQ'ed. It was a 5K and I got 17:25. Frosh-Soph was next. 2.6 miles. Only freshman and sophomores race in this race. I won the Freshman race with a time of 14:06 (yes I know this sucks), but I beat second place (another Centennial freshman) by 42 seconds. I came in second in our last regular season meet, a 2.6 miler at CHS. I finished 5 seconds behind Nate and I had a time of 13 minutes flat. Saturday was Division. Centennial won. Finally, the meet three days ago. Region. A 5K at the state course. I got third behind Nate and some Palo Verde kid. My time was 17 minutes flat. Centennial smoked the other teams even though I thought it would be close. CHS-47, Palo-74, and Shadow-91, barely escaping Arbor View who had 94 points. Anyway, the STATE CHAMPIONSHIP IS THIS SATURDAY. MY RACE IS AT 11:00. IF ANYONE WANTS TO COME (please, don't feel inclined to) TO THE RACE IT IS AT VETERAN'S MEMORIAL PARK IN BOULDER CITY. But seriously, don't feel like you have to come. The eight teams competing are, starting with the north region, then to the sunrise and ending in the sunset: Reno, Carson City, Secta, Green Valley, Foothill, Shadow Ridge, Palo Verde, and Centennial.

I can't wait for track to begin. Cross country courses are more fun because A-you're not running in a circle (or oval to be specific); and B-you have scenery to look at while you're running. But back to track. I will run for the first part of January with the Flyers, but then I will run with my high school. Depending on the schedule, I may pop in here and there, but no guarantees. I will be making my official return once High School Track is over. My sister is really wanting to run, but I'm not 100% on her situation (she has dance, piano, and soon, maybe, track). I can't wait to see all of my little friends again.

Coach Roy/ Coach JR-And I would very much like to run the 3000 meter run this year. Is that okay? Anyway, I'll see you guys November 15 before the UNLV Basketball game. Turbo out.

P.S. My grades are still up Coach JR. 7 A's and 1 B. That dang B is in Biology. But that was first quarter and it will turn into an A (hopefully) by the end of the semester.

[Coach J.R.]

Turbo, Great job! Keep the pressure on those Mustangs. Sorry, that I hadn't been able to see you compete. Looking forward to seeing you on the 15th.

[Coach Roy]

Nick first let me say congratulations on a good cross country season. It sounds like you have a lot of confidence, and thats a good thing but it also sounds like your confidence is getting very close to being arrogance. Lets remember how we got here, it was with hard work and lots of it and i say we because when i started coaching you i informed you the sucess would come if you stayed humble and kept following the plan that we laid out for you. Trust me i am really glad your having a lot of fun but if you really want to be the best you have to act the part and worring about Maher is not a part of it. I told your dad and i believe i told you, track and cross country in Las Vegas is very small when it comes to the national levels that we seek. With that being said quit worrying about nicknames, Sam Maher, Nathan or any body else, your goal needs to be to follow the workouts, that includes your pushups your sit ups your miles and everything else it takes to be a champion.I will try and make your race on staurday.Also this may seem a bit harsh but that is not the intent i see the talent you have and in order to go to the next level it will take lots and i mean lots of hard work and dedication i just don't want you to lose your focus as freshman with some sucess. Nick i have trained national Champions in the past and the one thing they all had in common was the will to win. "REAL CHAMPIONS DON'T TALK ABOUT WHAT THERE GOING TO DO THEY DO IT"

[Nick "Turbo" Hartle]

Hey coach Roy. I'm not trying to sound overconfident or cocky. I was just trying to give you a hard time about Mahar. The only thing I care about is going out on Saturday and running the best race that I can. Plus, I made that discussion at midnight and I might have been a little overtired, but I know that's not an excuse. I have been getting a lot better with my pushups and situps, doing them almost every day, but there are those days that I forget. I honestly am not trying to sound like I'm letting this whole freshman on varsity thing get to my head. I also know that this being cocky thing can come back to bite me. I will hope to see you there, but if not, I'll know that you just couldn't make it. I am feeling ready for Saturday and hoping to get a PR and contribute the most I can to my team. And Nate is really supportive before races. He calms me down and gives me that last little boost of confidence that I need.

[Nick "Turbo" Hartle]

Hey, coach Roy. Thank you for trying to make it out to state. I heard you got a phone call and couldn't make it. As you know I took seventh at the State Championship (5K) and got a PR on that course of 16:55. I was so glad to get a sub-seventeen time on that course. Also as you may know, Centennial won by the slimest of margins, edging out Carson 56-57, with Reno at 60. I was so glad. Don't worry, I will not let this get to my head. It was so cool to be the first 4A Southern team to win state in XC since 1998. I couldn't believe that we ended the slump. Our two seniors on varsity (one was the alternate) were so emotional. I felt so good for them. Another thing I loved was finally shuting up the Northern teams. They never gave us a chance, but we kept our mouths shut and their overconfidence backfired. Another cool thing is of our seven varsity guys, we have six of them returning. Four will be seniors, two (including myself) will be sophomores. So Centennial has a chance to do the unthinkable. It will be unbelivably tough though, as next year the course is going to be run up north. But enough with looking that far forward. I am looking forward to track to see how well some of our runners are. Hey, Coach Roy, how 'bout them Broncos. They have the same record as your Cowboys. And Coach JR, how are the Raiders doing, 2-7. Oh, well, I guess they're in a LONG rebuilding stage. Anyway, I'll see you guys this Saturday.

[Coach Roy]

Great job at the state meet. Keep up the hard work and you will be surprised all the things you will accomplish but never forget it's all happening because you put in the work. Look forward to seeing you and the family soon. Take care and work on that core sit ups crunches and lot of push ups.

[Marcus Williams]

my son would like to run track. He is 12 and just finished football. could you email me more information.

marcus williams
[e-mail]