09/14/2026
Please read this letter that was sent to our athletic department by a coach from our meet on Saturday. Always proud of our cross country teams. Our current team learned this important aspect of the athletic experience from years of cross country runners that came before them.
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Hello,
I am Pentwater's cross country coach and wanted to take a moment to reach out and recognize the outstanding sportsmanship I witnessed from the Lansing Waverly cross country program at our meet this weekend.
Throughout the races, your athletes were cheering for and encouraging everyone, not just their own teammates, but runners from every school as they passed by. It was wonderful to see and truly stood out.
One young man in particular, Thaddeus, really impressed me. One of my senior boys finished last in the 5K, and Thaddeus went out of his way to encourage and support him as he worked his way to the finish. As a coach, those moments mean a great deal to me. Finishing first may earn an athlete a medal, but showing kindness and encouragement to someone who is struggling says so much about a person's character.
I made a point to compliment your coaches at the meet, but I also wanted to make sure your athletic department knew what I witnessed. When an entire team demonstrates that level of sportsmanship, it is clear that their coaches have made character, respect, and supporting others a priority within their program.
Cross country teaches so much more than running, and the lessons your coaches are instilling in these young people will stay with them long after their competitive running days are over.
Please pass along my appreciation to your coaches and athletes, and an extra shout-out to Thaddeus. They represented Lansing Waverly incredibly well! Keep up the great work!
