Milford High School Cross Country

Feb. 9 - Cupid Chase 5K 19:46(6th overall, 3rd in age group) May 26 - Race for Danielle 5K 18:01(6th overall, 2nd in age group)

Feb. 9 - Cupid Chase 5K 20:03(8th overall, 1st in age group) other races - TBA June 16 - Father's Day 5K 19:04(23rd overall, 4th in age group) June 22 - Duck Dash 5K 19:27(2nd overall, 1st in master's group) June 30 - Bill Degnan 5K 19:05(19th overall, 3rd in age group) July 4 - Laurel Independence Day 5K 20:00+(DQ for running off course) July 6 - Firecracker 5K ?(26th overall, 6th in age group) July 20 - Buffalo Stampede 10K 41:39(24th overall, 4th in age group)

Feb. 9 - Cupid Chase 5K 22:00(15th overall, 5th in age group) May 26 - Race for Danielle 5K 22:10(57th overall, 1st in age group) June 16 - Father's Day 5K 21:52(63rd overall, 3rd in age group) June 22 - Duck Dash 5K 22:05(7th overall, 1st in age group) June 30 - Bill Degnan 5K 22:00(59th overall, 2nd in age group) July 4 - Laurel Independence Day 5K 23:00(21st overall, 2nd in age group) July 6 - Firecracker 5K 21:58(68th overall, 3rd in age group) July 7 - Rehoboth Biathlon37:18(42nd overall out of 151 finishers) July 20 - Buffalo Stampede 5K 21:55(37th overall, 3rd in age group) Aug. 4 - YMCA 5-miler 39:13 (63rd overall, 2nd in age group) Aug. 6 - Dam Mill 5K 21:24 (47th overall, 2nd in age group) FALL RACES Oct. 12 - Apple Scrapple Hog Jog 5K 21:38 (13th overall, 4th in age group) Oct. 19 - Friends of Killens Pond 5K 21:26 (11th overall, 4th in age group) Nov. 16 - Parks and Recreation Run for Fitness 5K 21:26 (12th overall, 3rd in age group)

So, here it is, short and sweet. This is year number six since my resurgence (that's an overstatement) in the local running circuit, and after five dedicated years to Special Sauce, I've drifted off to the perverbial La-La Land, I guess. Of course, I got a tad busy and sidetracked this spring as the Milford High boys track & field team went on a majestic run en route to a Henlopen Conference Meet Championship (the school's first since the conference formed in 1970) and then a Division II state championship (the second-ever and first since 1986). And as the media frenzy finally died down in early June, I was able to truly appreciate the season, earning State Coach of the Year honors to reach a list shared by my late great mentor Jim Blades of Lake Forest fame. It meant a lot to me. But, for my avid and active Special Sauce fans, I must get back on the trails and roads to give you a weekly update as the Buffalo Stampede roars into action this weekend. So far, I've run a measley four races since the first of the year, but my running workouts have jumped to new heights as I look to build off last weekend's lackluster, but promising, 22:34 at the Riverfest 5K sponsored by the Seaford CCers, led by coaching pals Vince Morris and Rob Perciful. At the Riverfest race, I got to chat with Seaford alums Christina Garmendia and Kaitlin McGroerty who still have the racing talent, and then I got to chum around with Lake CC alum Steve Scarborough out on the Nanticoke River in our kayaks. Of course, Steve's natural talent got him in the low 20s and a first-place medal in the 26-34 age group -- a couple of places better than the Ol' Bloomer. Special Sauce Insider saw Tech's Ali Mahmood and Derek Kitchen looking strong as they prep for the upcoming CC season. Stay tuned for updates and remember . . . If you want to make Special Sauce, I guess I'll have to see you out there running! :) Have fun! Run!

Uncle Vern and Ol' Bloomie officially wrapped up the 2001 season undefeated as relay partners with a win in the Seneca Creek Biathlon Sunday near Germantown, Md. Vern took out an early in the first 2.5-mile run, while Bloom held on to the lead for the first half of the bike course before two strong riders overtook him. He remained close on the hilly, technical 3-loop 14.4-mile course to give Vern a chance to come back for the overall win on the final running leg. We ran a 1:21 and some change for our fifth relay win this season and our sixth-straight.