Collinsville,
Oklahoma
August 25, 2016 (Online Sept. 6th) 9 Year Cross Country "Closure" |
At the beginning of this school year Arlin Stacy (Principal at Collinsville's Upper Elementary) asked me to take a photo to help document his nine years as the coach of Collinsville's girls cross country teams. Coach Stacy wanted "closure" as his coaching tenure had ended and his assistant coach, Kim Myers, was taking over as head coach for the 2016 season. He didn't ask for publicity, but I requested permission to publish the photo and requested the summary that Arlin provided below. Collinsville had not had a cross country program until some of the basketball girls he coached asked about off season training and that turned into a girls cross country running team in 2007. Arlin said he didn't know much about the sport at that time but soon fell in love with the sport and his teams. You will likely still see Arlin at the XC meets as his daughter Abby is on the team. -- Ted Wright | |||||||||||||||
Coach Arlin Stacy with photos of his first team from 2007. |
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It was a tremendous
blessing to be the Girls Cross Country coach for nine years. Every season
was filled with wonderful experiences. The runners worked extremely hard
and exhibited great character. We stressed TEAM everyday, in every way.
We had 13 All State Selections, 5 Meet of Champion participants, 10 runners receiving scholarships and running in College, and multiple individual Conference and Regional Champions. Highlights included the 2009 State Championship, 2010 and 2011 State Runners Up, placing in the top 3 at two National Meets (OSU Jamboree and Arkansas Chile Pepper Festival), making it to State all nine seasons, numerous meet Championships, building our own XC course and hosting season and conference meets, starting a successful Middle School Program, and receiving six Academic Team awards. I will miss seeing the small victories achieved everyday by the girls, bonding time with the other coaches, Saturday mornings walking the course, and STATE WEEK! We began with six girls, hand-me-down faded track uniforms, an old short bus (the door flew open every time we turned a corner), and a pasture. THANKS to God for providing direction, to supportive parents giving of their time and resources, and to TALENTED young ladies who believed in themselves and the concept of TEAM FIRST... Collinsville Cross Country has done quite well! The future is bright as Kim Myers takes over the program. She is energetic and knowledgeable. Her fresh ideas will inspire the Team and the girls will have fun. Please continue to give Coach Kim and the TEAM, your full support. Go Cardinals! -- Arlin Stacy (8/29/2016) |
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This top photo was meant to capture some of the spirit of the nine successful seasons that Coach Arlin Stacy headed the Collinsville Girl's Cross Country program. Stacy's teams never finished out of the top ten at the state tournament and his 2009 team won the 5A State Championship. |