On October 15th, the San Saba Cross Country Team traveled to Goldthwaite Golf Course to compete in the Priddy invitational. Of the fourteen High School teams registered for the meet, four upper classification schools Stephenville, Ballinger, Clyde and Bangs, all who had defeated San Saba were among the competitors at the Priddy meet. The hard work and dedication by our kids was witnessed by all in attendance and the coaches of the other teams. Our Varsity Girls finished tied for first with Bangs and the JV girls team finished second. Instead of listing individual achievements, I just want to say our girl’s times have put us in the same category as three top ten ranked 2A teams and among the top 5 in the state among the 1A classification. The Varsity Boys only had four compete due to injuries and suspensions, but all improved times and Hector pushed himself towards the top of the 1A runners list for the Region. As usual the Jr. High Team made a great showing, but will have their work cut out for them if they want to beat a very tough Deleon Team at the District Meet on Wednesday, the 24th of October. This summer, soon after I was given the job as the San Saba Cross Country Coach, I started making phone calls to last year’s runners. One young lady told me she wanted the Cross Country team to get respect ‘…. nobody cares about Cross Country or gives us any respect…’. I believe that is pretty much the way she said it. I had to think a second and tell this young lady the sad but honest truth; it should not be this way but, the only way to gain respect is to win! The hard work, dedication and pride of representing San Saba should be enough. Our season actually starts Wednesday, Oct. 24th in Hico. In Cross Country it is all or nothing on one particular day, you perform well or go home! Our kid’s have exposed their souls, battled through injuries, early mornings and given up Saturdays to earn your respect. Tell them how much you appreciate them if you see them. —SPECIAL REWARDS COME TO THOSE WHO GIVE SPECIAL EFFORTS.