The 19th edition of the Gretchen Everhart School Owl Run was held on Thursday, September 25th, 2008. The event is the premier cross-county event for middle grades students.
Tallahassee Democrat
Article & Pictures
Opening Ceremonies
Anticipation & Preparation
Everhart Race
Girls Race
Boys Race
Awards Ceremony
Thanks to All!
Download Girls & Boys Races and Award Ceremonies (79 pictures in zipped folder - 9.4 MB).
Opening Ceremonies
Narrative for Owl Run 2008 on this and the following pages was written as usual by Runner/Bike Rider/Teacher/Event Coordinator Extraordinaire, Bill McGuire. Nicely done Bill!!!
It seemed like "everybody who is anybody" was on hand for the 2008 edition of the Everhart Owl Run. Leon County Schools Superintendent Jackie Pons spoke; Everhart Principal Jane Floyd Bullen and Assistant Principal Kent Hamilton were greeting folks and lending a hand; FSU Head Cross-Country and Track & Field Coach Bob Braman gave an enthusiastic pep talk. The Tallahassee Democrat was there; so was local television station WCTV. Even some cool fall weather made a surprise appearance.
Coach Braman has won three consecutive National Outdoor Track and Field Championships in his six years as Head Coach of the Seminoles. Yet despite his busy schedule (just two days before the F.S.U. Invitational Cross-County Meet), Coach Braman graciously agreed to speak to the Owl Run athletes before this year's event. His animated "pep talk" was brief, but inspirational, as he exhorted the runners to help and encourage each other while out on the course....whether it be a teammate or a competitor from another school.
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| Bill McGuire kicks off the ceremonies. | Superintendent Jackie Pons addresses the crowd. |
Principal Bullen welcomes everyone to Gretchen Everhart. |
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| Brenda Rice, our Music Teacher leads Everhart students in singing the National Anthem. | Bill McGuire introduces FSU Coach Bob Braman | FSU Head Cross-Country and Track & Field Coach Bob Braman gives the runners a pep talk. |
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| The crowd gathered to listen to the speakers. |
I'm pretty sure I felt the spirits of recently departed Owl Run friends Jere Moore and Mike Schneider, to whom this year's event was dedicated. Jere and Mike were both long-time track club members and Owl Run volunteers. In addition, Mike was a volunteer cross country coach with both Belle Vue and Cobb Middle Schools. They seemed to be hovering over the proceedings from above the empty chairs set up in their honor near the finish line, cheering on the enthusiastic Everhart squad, as well as the record-sized middle school field.
Return to TOC or next page: Anticipation & Preparation
Page updated: 10/28/2008