Thursday, October 31, 2013

Anticipation


I am full of nervous energy this week. The excitement of recent events and the ones this weekend have left me constantly thinking about the possibilities.

Last week we had Fantu singing her solo at the Autumn Choir Follies show. Nothing like being a Mom sitting there waiting for your child to sing even though you have heard her rehearse her about a million times.  She is the first soloist of the night. She did fantastic! I was about to burst with pride.

The following morning was the District XC meet. Abate needed a top ten finish to advance to regionals. We knew he should place 3rd as that is how he has been placing in previous meets against these same guys all season. I can’t help but worry about a trip, fall, sprain, cramp that could knock him out of the race. Abate did amazing and had his personal best 5k of 16:56. He qualified as an individual and the team qualified as a whole. Super proud but now I am extremely nervous as he heads to regionals.

If you recall last year at regionals Abate was doing great, he was on the back lap and into his final mile in 12th place when he was tripped from behind and fell flat on the ground. He finished in 36th place. He was running at a pace that would have placed him most likely in the top 10. It was devastating.

The internet is a great thing, I have been able to research the other districts and XC runners that will be running in Lubbock on Saturday, scoping out the competition you’d say. From the information I have gathered from race results this season Abate should place easily in the top ten and possibly in the top 5. Top 10 go to the state meet on Nov. 9 in Round Rock. To get him there he has a real chance of finishing in the top 15 and maybe even the top 10. I am going to be optimistic because I know he can do it. He wants it so bad this year. He knows a finish like that and he will get to choose the college he wants to run XC for.  He has already had one Division One school contact him and this was before the district meet.  His coach has already said that it was just the first of many to come. Okay Abate – no pressure at all to do well.  I will be there watching and cheering him in Lubbock. I’m leaving work early tomorrow to head up that direction so that I will just have a 90 minute drive up Saturday morning.  I hate that drive. I will have to go alone this year as Alan will be in Colorado (not by choice) and Fantu will be at Regional Choir auditions in Waco.

Regional Choir auditions; she has been working so hard this past month to learn the music. I think there are 6 songs she has had to learn, several in foreign languages. She has stayed after school to practice and has worked on them with her voice coach. She sounds amazing. The problems with these auditions are that you never know what the judges are looking for.  It will be huge for her to make 9th/10th region choir as it will really boost her confidence as she heads into her junior year and the State choir audition process.  It’s hard not being nearby for her as she goes to Waco to audition, but parents don’t get to listen so I will be waiting to get a phone call from her Saturday afternoon. 

I am really hoping that we get to have some big celebrations for the both of them this weekend. No matter what the outcome though I am and always will be so proud of everything these two have accomplished in their 4 years and 5 months in Texas.

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