Effort Underway to Inspire More Florida Youth to Become Runners
1st Annual Florida Middle School State Cross Country Championship Meet November 13, 2010
Tallahassee, FL (October 12, 2010)—Thanks to the efforts of a group of parents, coaches and running enthusiasts Florida’s middle school cross country runners will have the opportunity to race against each other and earn the right to be called state champions.
On Saturday November 13, 2010, hundreds of middle school cross country runners will converge at the Sun n’ Fun airport outside of Lakeland where they will run a 3 kilometer course at the 1st Annual Florida Middle School State Cross Country Championship meet. The meet has been organized by the newly launched Florida Youth Running Association (FLYRA), whose mission is to help Florida's youth discover the joy and benefits of running.
FLYRA is focused on inspiring more middle and elementary school students to become runners while attacking the alarming rise in youth obesity in Florida. Ultimately, FLYRA wishes to see greater numbers of youth becoming members of high school cross country and track teams where they can further develop their talents and bring success to themselves, their schools, communities and the state of Florida.
FLYRA is dedicated to providing a rewarding championship event for Florida's middle school and elementary school runners, introducing them to running in a large event prior to high school, promoting sportsmanship, and encouraging the lifelong habit of daily running. FLYRA believes that running instills discipline, focus, and principles of hard work which inspire people to be the best that they can be in every area of their lives.
One of the founding members of FLYRA, Joe Mizereck said, “As a parent of a runner I know how running can change a young person's life. If we can get more middle school students involved in running, I believe they will experience the sport's joys and benefits. And they will taste individual and team success, like it and will become lifelong runners.”
FLYRA will serve as a vehicle to promote middle school running sports. The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) has done an exceptional job over the years for high school sports. FLYRA’s work will benefit FHSAA by increasing the numbers of students participating in cross country and track and field.
FLYRA President and co-founder, Bill Convey said, “This effort is about rolling up our sleeves and finding ways to double, maybe even triple the number of middle school runners in Florida. This won't be easy, but if we succeed, we will change lives and Florida's running community. Indeed, Florida will become the envy of the nation.”
The Championship Division 3K races are open to Florida girls’ and boys’ teams and individuals in 6th through 8th grades. There will also be a Developmental Division 3K race open to athletes of all fitness levels, in grades 3 through 7th grades.
Front end key sponsors of the event include: Florida Dairy Farmers, State Farm, the Gulf Winds Track Club, New York Road Runners and David Yon.
Coaches and parents of middle and elementary school runners can find additional information about the event and how to register at www.flyra.org.
###
October 12, 2010
1st Annual Florida Middle School State Cross Country Championship Meet Update:
Qualified Teams and Remaining Team Qualification Meets
It is only a month until the 1st Annual Florida Middle School State Cross Country Championship Meet. Listed below are the Teams which have already qualified to be scored at the State Meet, and the remaining scheduled meets for Teams to qualify who wish to be scored at the meet and have a chance to be crowned "State Champion". Keep in mind, the Championship Race is open to all MS individuals with suggested time guidelines posted on the www.FLYRA.ORG website. There is a Developmental Race for individuals who are younger than Middle School age and/or do not meet the suggested Championship Race time guidelines. Also, additional qualifying meets may be added for Teams if requested and approved by FLYRA and if meet results are published on FLRunners.
To date, the following Teams have qualified to be scored at the State Meet.
09/22 - Fort Braden Run
Girls: RAA; Swift Creek Middle
Boys: RAA; Montford Middle
10/02 - FLunners.com Invitational 11
Girls: Alpha Omega; Miami Milers; St. Cloud Raptors; Park Av. Christian
Boys: Belen; Our Lady of Lakes; Park Av. Christian
10/05 - Orlando Conference Meet 4 (Top 2)
Girls: Trinity Prep; Lake Highland
Boys: Master's Academy; The Christ School
10/07 - Tallahassee MS Championship
Girls: RAA; Swift Creek; Montford
Boys: RAA; Montford Middle; Swift Creek Middle
10/08 - Disney Classic (Top 5)
Girls: Eye of the Tiger; Ransom-Everglades; Altamonte Striders; Queen of Peace Academy; Trinity School for Children
Boys: Master's (Oviedo); Ransom-Everglades; Trinity School for Children; Tampa Bay Heat; Eye of the Tiger
REMAINING TEAM QUALIFICATION MEETS:
· 10/12 - Central FL MS Championship (Top 3 and an additional one team if the meet has over 10 teams scored and an additional 2 if the meet has over 20 teams scored)
· 10/13 - Okaloosa MS Championship (Top 3 and an additional one team if the meet has over 10 teams scored and an additional 2 if the meet has over 20 teams scored)
· 10/14 - Little Everglades Pre-state (Top 5)
· 10/15 - Junior Orange Bowl (this is actually the 14th) (Top 3 and an additional one team if the meet has over 10 teams scored and an additional 2 if the meet has over 20 teams scored)
· 10/16 - All-Catholic Conference (Top 3 and an additional one team if the meet has over 10 teams scored and an additional 2 if the meet has over 20 teams scored)
· 10/20 - Destin MS Invitational (Top 3)
· 10/22 - Miami-Dade County Youth Fair (Top 5)
· 10/23 - Panhandle Championship (Top 3 and an additional one team if the meet has over 10 teams scored and an additional 2 if the meet has over 20 teams scored)
· 10/23 - Westminster Academy MS 2-Mile (Top 3)
· 10/28 - Miami-Dade Middle School Championship (Top 5)
Although it is permissible under the rules for "Club" Teams to qualify to be scored as a Team at the State Meet. It is the strong preference of FLYRA that scored teams be composed of Middle Schoolers attending the same school. FLYRA encourages Clubs and their athletes to participate in the meet, but would prefer that, as much as possible, the Team competition is composed of School Teams-- as the purpose of the meet is to encourage and promote Middle Schools to cultivate running programs and teams.