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Wingfoot Review
How it began. We were hoping for lightning fast runs on the Wingfoot course on Saturday. Little did we know it the evening would be started with an actual lightning delay for almost two hours. As a coach, the thing that I want the least is an injury or illness for a runner ocurring during a race. After that, in no particular order, are delays, changes to schedules, and unplanned co-ed races. While we escaped with no major injuries on Saturday, we were hit with the triple w
Derek Distin
Sep 214 min read


Warpath Review - Week 6
We came in to Boling Park for the second time this season with a goal of a top 3 finish on both sides, and we left having accomplished our goal. The rain softened up our course slightly, but had the effect of finally giving us some cooler temperatures to race in. Over 230 girls lined up for the first of two middle school races, to be followed by 345 boys, making for some very crowded and highly competitive races to round out the 2026 edition of Fleet Feet's Warpath Invitati
Derek Distin
Sep 133 min read
Week 6 Preview: on the Warpath
Hello Jr Cougar Nation! This week we return to Bolling Park in Canton for the 32nd Annual Fleet Feet Warpath Invitational. Quick reminder to all parents. If you know the W's already, please feel free to skip below this section to the preview (GREEN HIGHLIGHT) ---- We will run for the second time this year at Bolling Park, where we started the season with the Summer Elite mileage runners several weeks ago. A favorite for JRCXC, this course is flat, usually fast (weather per
Derek Distin
Sep 104 min read


Recap: Week 5 - AT&T Calling...
Hello Junior Cougar Nation, This is a few days later than normal due to the holiday this week and some general busy-ness this time of year. This is email 1 of 2 for today, recapping the weekend's meet from last Saturday. Preview and notes for Warpath will be arriving later this afternoon. You can watch Coach J's race highlights video here We were finally invited to participate in the AT&T Starrs Mill XC invitational in Fayetteville this year. For everyone who made the trip
Derek Distin
Sep 93 min read
Week 5: AT&T Starrs Mill Preview
Hello Jr Cougar Nation! Quick reminder to all parents. If you've read the W's already, please feel free to skip below this section to the preview (GREEN HIGHLIGHT) ---- This week we travel to Fayetteville for the AT&T Starr's Mill meet. Another first time meet for JRCXC, we'll be on a brand new course for our runners. Here's what you need to know, all the W's: Who: all runners are invited. Where: ONE Church campus. (2130 Redwine Rd., Fayetteville, GA 30215) When: Saturday
Derek Distin
Sep 34 min read
NGAXCC Preview - Week 4
Hello Jr Cougar Nation! Quick reminder to all parents. If you've read the W's already, please feel free to skip below this section to the preview (GREEN HIGHLIGHT) ---- This week we kick off the main portion of the fall with a meet at the North Georgia Cross Country Championships in Commerce, GA. Here's what you need to know, all the W's: Who: all runners are invited. Where: East Jackson High School in Commerce. (1435 Hoods Mill Rd. Commerce, GA 30529) When: Saturday, Aug
Derek Distin
Aug 264 min read
Week 4: All In!
Good afternoon Jr Cougar Nation, and welcome to the "All In" start of the season for every runner on our team. We've completed the "pre-season" or "summer runners" portion of the fall. From this point until the end of September, every meet is open to every runner. If you are receiving this email, your runner is invited to participate in every one of our following meets. Last Friday night our summer runners raced in Jasper for the Pickens Preview meet. You can read the full
Derek Distin
Aug 242 min read


Pickens Preview - Review
The weather cooperated and we had a lovely evening in Jasper on Friday night at the Pickens Preview Middle School meet. Beautiful weather for a great evening. If you have photos to upload, or want to see what is currently in the Pickens album, please do so here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/3PESbioskeMZC7Gt9 . (h/t to Evaristo Jo for pulling this together.) Thirty-one runners participated, having run enough over the summer that we believed their legs were ready for a full race.
Derek Distin
Aug 233 min read


Pickens Preview Preview
Hello Junior Cougar Nation, Video from Pickens Preview 2025 I hope you're looking forward to a beautiful night under the lights in Jasper. As we've come to expect in August, there is a chance of storms in the evening, but that's Georgia for ya. One way or another, we're in for a treat. We have 36 runners racing, so lots of Cougar jerseys to cheer for. Yellow jerseys + blue shorts for JV. Elite jerseys + black shorts for V. This is a spikes course, if you have them. We wi
Derek Distin
Aug 183 min read


Week 3 - The Field Expands
Hello Junior Cougar Nation! Week 2 is in the books. We added some new runners this week to the team (bringing our registered total to over 80!) and despite the heat and humidity turned in some good practices. I want to take a moment to recognize all the runners; they've maintained positive attitudes and (mostly) stayed off their phones, and efforts have been very good for nearly everyone! Both Coach Cross and I received comments from Coaches Paul and Sinco about the efforts
Derek Distin
Aug 154 min read


Week 2 - We're Off and Running!
Hello Jr Cougar Nation! Thank you to everyone who came out to Cougar Nation night last night at Big Peach Running Co. As a reminder, you can always get a 10% discount through our partnership with them by mentioning that you are with the Taylor Road Junior Cougars XC team. We love supporting them, and they do a great job in supporting us. The season has officially started. Welcome to all our runners and families that have joined us since our last email. At the end of this
Derek Distin
Aug 72 min read
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