THIS GALLERY'S QUITE OUT OF DATE. I MAY/MAY NOT BEGIN UPDATING IT AGAIN.
MEANWHILE, KEEP IN TOUCH VIA http://www.maclayrunners.com

Scroll WAAAAAY down to see the photos.

THIS GALLERY is not an official Maclay School site!

NEW HCES 3Km Course Photo Preview gallery, here:
http://tallahasseetrails.smugmug.com/gallery/1967589

See all the latest news, results, and photos, including ways to support the kids at:
http://www.maclayrunners.com Thanks to Webmaster Doug Covert!
2007 Maclay HS/MS XC Schedule:
http://www.maclayrunners.com/2007XCSchedule.html

VIDEOS!
A few may all be found here:
http://www.youtube.com/user/TallahasseeTrails
Maclayrunners.com T&F videos, here:
http://www.maclayrunners.com/2007TnFVideos.html

Your kids MUST bring digital watches (that they are able to operate) to T&F/XC practice!! Many thanks!
To paraphrase "NCIS" episode 3.16 conversation between Gibbs and Abby, "Equatorial pygmies know how John feels about kids not bringing watches to practice."
FYI, After trying many styles I've settled on this watch as simple and reliable, with proper features for our needs:http://www.timex.com/bin/detail.tmx?item=048148533318
"Mid-size" equivalent:http://www.timex.com/bin/detail.tmx?item=048148531611
Instructions for these and their siblings:http://www.timex.com/instructions/w89Instr.pdf
As of April 2006, Wal Mart sells it for a bit under $30.

Where is Maclay School? Inside the 100 acre blue rectangle, here:http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=104322
Official Maclay School site:http://www.maclay.org/

Governing entity for Florida HS sports:http://www.fhsaa.org/
The Cross Country specific page:http://www.fhsaa.org/cc/
Download your own FHSAA XC rules here:http://www.fhsaa.org/cc/manual/
The T&F specific page:http://www.fhsaa.org/tr/
Download your own FHSAA T&F rules here:http://www.fhsaa.org/tr/manual/
National HS sports standards organization here:http://www.nfhs.org/

SOME OTHER XC/T&F EVENT PHOTO SITES:
Steve Andrews' always excellent shots, here:http://actionshot.smugmug.com/Sports
Nick Karmanos' photos:http://picasaweb.google.com/xc.chiles
Fred Dietrich's got a mix of XC/T&F and nice nature galleries, here:http://www.pbase.com/fdietrich/root
Misc PHOTOS and VIDEOS, some of which include Maclay runners:http://www.chiles.leon.k12.fl.us/real_chiles2/students/athletics/CrossCountry/xc_media.htm

Re any FHSAA State Series photos in this album:
"Published with permission of FHSAA. Reproduction of photographs for purposes other than personal entertainment is prohibited. All rights reserved."

As of SUNDAY, 25 March:
Our beloved PV Coach Kurt Westfall (see photo below) has very serious medical problems. Something like medical complications due to a stroke he suffered on Friday.
As of this typing (Sunday evening, 8pm), Kurt's in TMH room 4406. While I was visiting, in addition to Kurt's wife (Lucy) and 3 daughters (Erin, Megan http://www.gatorzone.com/trackfield/women/bios.php?year=1999&bio=westfall.html and Emily), Manny Gutierrez, Laura Kuhse, Colson Barnes, Maria and "Big" Warren Harper, and Stephanie Wernke visited. Gary and Vicky Droze visited earlier. (Gary had called earlier in the day to let me know of Kurt's condition.)
As I was leaving, Kurt's oldest daughter Erin mentioned how important it was that the kids were saying, "When we visit tomorrow." That's what we're sticking with - there'll be tomorrow. All four of the Westfall girls rock. Get well Kurt!
MONDAY 9pm UPDATE: As best I can decipher, Kurt's medically stable. Gotta think that's good news for now. Still breathing unassisted. Lots of friends/family visitors. Lincoln Coach Perry Shaw was leaving as I got there. GDroze and I overlapped. Maclay's Max Lang had visited, as well as Lincoln's Buddy Austin. I plan to visit again Tuesday morning till ~1pm. Lots of folks have brought over food. I added fresh fruit and some chick-style 100% full-fat real m-m-m-m-m-m ice cream. I encourage any of the extended Pole Vault family to try to get by. I think there's a break in visitors (none allowed) from ~1-4pm. Same room, 4406. When we get kicked out for miscellaneous reasons, we retreat to one of the nearby waiting rooms.
TUESDAY I was there late morning/early afternoon, then again from ~7:30-9:30pm. Kurt looked the best yet. Coach Al Peruzzi had been by before my visit. According to Kurt's sister JB, Al managed to get some great movement/response from Kurt through some prayer/laying of hands/not sure what - but they were quite thrilled with Kurt's response. Great! When I was there, Kurt made smoother movements than Sunday or Monday. Not reflex movements, but more reacting to our presence. I think it's an notable improvement.
Tuesday night, he had some reaction to the nasogastric feeding that was dealt with by the staff. He still seemed more responsive in some way to us. E.g., Kurt can squeeze a hand, move his jaw - smells like victory to me, ok?
A few more of the PV kids made it by. I was in the waiting room when they visited, so I'm not sure who it was. GDroze made it by again while I was there. Dropped off some pillows/camp pads in case the girls have to get some nap time in the waiting room. I think the PV kids are planning to meet at Maclay Wednesday 5pm to discuss the situation.
I plan to be at the hospital again by late morning Wednesday.
Till then . . .
WEDNESDAY - I got to see Kurt just before the "1pm afternoon visitor cutoff." He looked the best yet. More independent movement in his arms. Lungs/breathing sounded the best yet. "Vitals" are good. He had coughed a few times, which is good. The CT scan results came up while I was there. No change, which is good - no more cerebral bleeding. Those with some actual medical qualifications seem upbeat now. I'm told he likely can hear us.
Back at school, the "PV Family" kids were unanimous in wanting to finish season with no changes - minus our main man, for now. Most of the hay's in the barn now for the varsity types. Next group practices are Monday and Wednesday next week, with the City Meet at FSU next Tuesday. We'll plan the following week at next Wednesday's practice. Anyone who didn't get their contact info (phone, email) on a new sheet we started, get it to one of your teammates, or send it to me - joka51@juno.com
Subbing at Maclay tomorrow - I likely won't get by the hospital again till Thursday night at the earliest.
Let's keep it going like you're doing, Kurt!
THURSDAY - I called to check on Kurt during the day. Kurt's sister JB related things are remaining stable. When I got by the hospital sometime after 8pm, I got into Kurt's room for a visit. Signs were still stable. All the girls were there (Erin, Megan, Emily), as well as Lucy and JB. They had the TV speaker by Kurt's ear, so he could listen to a favorite program. I told Kurt about the weekend's upcoming track activities for the kids. Dropped off some food for the girls, stayed in the waiting room to talk for about an hour. Megan consulted with a visiting doctor about additional therapy she may be able to assist with. Hopefully another visit Friday night!
FRIDAY NIGHT, 30 MARCH:
Just as we finish the Boys' HS PV competition at the FSU Relays, a call comes from the hospital that Coach Kurt Westfall has passed away. Our PV family at the meet shared many tears. As I head away to leave for TMH, I look back to see Lacy Janson with tears streaming down her face.
The family was with Kurt when I got to the hospital. We shared time surrounding Kurt. Between the tears I marvelled at his wonderful wife Lucy, daughters Erin, Megan and Emily, sister JB. I went between incredible sadness for them, and joy that he had created and enjoyed the best I've ever seen.
They played one of Kurt's favorite songs just before I left. It's a medley of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow-What a Wonderful World" by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole http://tinyurl.com/z72w2
Bless Kurt's girls and his pole vault family. You make it a wonderful world.
SERVICES on THURSDAY, 5 April, Pisgah United Methodist Church, 7000 Pisgah Church Rd. Viewing 2-3pm, service 3-4. Kurt's sister JB agreed it would be a nice idea for any PV kids/coaches able to attend, to wear their team warmups to the services.
Church location:
http://tinyurl.com/yrmz5r
Obituary:
http://www.legacy.com/tallahassee/DeathNotices.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=87060207
Kurt's funeral was attended by a near overflow crowd. I ended up in the balcony with most of the PV folks. Very touching stories by many in attendance. If you didn't already know, it became obvious how much Kurt had meant to all who were lucky enough to know him. Still very concerned for the girls.


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Questions, pre-scoldings, comments, ID, complaints?
Thanks,
John Kalin
Email me
"If I fall you're going down with me" - Trail running advice from my Dixie Chicks
http://www.tallahasseetrails.com/