August 2, 2026
Let’s talk shoes! A recent study shows a 39% lower risk of injury in runners
who rotated 2 or more pairs of shoes compared to those who almost always ran in the same shoes. The researchers wrote that this may be because different shoes distribute the impact forces of running differently, thereby lessening the strain on any given tissue.
While we can never prevent all injuries we can do our best to reduce them and this is one simple way. The shoes don’t have to be the latest and greatest and you don’t need 9 sets - they just need to be a different pair. As a side benefit, each of these pairs of shoes will last longer when rotated!
Coach Browning
We wanted to send a quick update on our sponsorship drive and be honest: we are way behind in getting support. That said, we also have to own our part in this.
As a new coaching staff we are still figuring things out and, in the spirit of full transparency, we clearly have not done enough encouraging, reminding, or politely nudging the community about how this works. Consider this our humble admission that we need to step up our follow up game!
We would like to now clearly and politely nudge you into additional support of this program. Every bit of help matters but more importantly it is the community effort that gives our program strength and soul! On that note we are going to add something new this year.
Here’s the shift:
Starting this week, we are turning up the focus with a team-wide athlete sponsorship push.
Our runners will be heading out into the community—connecting with local businesses, neighbors, and extended family—to bring in new sponsors. This is one of the most powerful (and successful) ways we build support for our program.
We’ll be running a 2-week team competition focused on:
- Total number of sponsors secured
- Sponsors outside of immediate parents (extended family and community encouraged)
More details will be shared but in the meantime, you will find two attachments that are marketing tools for the athletes. They can be sent digitally or printed as flyers for local businesses. Note the QR acode can be scanned and will direct sponsors straight to our PV Booster website! Extra bonus prize for anyone who can land Publix!
Why this matters right now:
- We are in the most critical stretch of the drive
- We still have a significant gap to close
- The energy we bring over the next two weeks will determine our finish
Thank you for sticking with us, for your patience, and for continuing to support our amazing athletes. We appreciate everyone who has already stepped up, and we are hopeful this next push will help us close the gap together. So without further ado - let us thank those who have contributed. Our late July donors both came in at the Sand Shark level of $500 which is amazing. New donors are bolded below:
True Blue Sponsors - $2000+
- Hotspot Shield (Feather Family)
Great White Sponsors - $1000
Sand Shark Sponsors - $500
- Killoran Family
- Novus Freight Solution (Scott Family)
- Barket Family
- Precision Turf
- Pro Leather Refinishing (Carrouth Family)
- The Skaret Family
- The Beshany Group at Merrill Lynch
- The Cain Family
Pup Shark Sponsors. - $ Other
• Running Total: $5,550.00
• Goal: $27,800 + by August 22nd
Donate link: https://www.hometeamsonline.com/teams/default.asp?u=PVSHARKSBC&s=htosports&p=registration&formID=212548
ALL IN – ALL OUT – ALL SEASON
PVXC
With gratitude,
The Coaching Staff
UPCOMING EVENTS
Senior Fin Painting
Monday,
August 3 | 8:15–9:30 AM | PVHS Track
All Juniors – Prep and paint over last year's fins.
Tuesday,
August 4 | 8:15–10:30 AM | PVHS Track
All Seniors – Paint your senior fin.
One of our favorite PVXC traditions is our Senior Fin Painting. Each senior decorates a shark fin along the sidewalk by the track to commemorate their final season with the team. Juniors help prepare the fins by painting over last year's artwork.
What to Bring
- Bug spray
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Towel to kneel on while painting
Seniors
Grey, black, light blue, and white paint, along with a 1-inch foam brush, will be provided. If you plan to include detailed artwork, please bring your own:
- Stencils
- Small paintbrushes
- Paint palettes
- Any additional paint colors you'd like to use
Please do not rinse paint supplies in the school restrooms.
Snack Volunteers
We'd love a few volunteers to bring snacks and hydration for our painters! If you'd like to help, please sign up!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C45A9AB22AAF9C52-64802778-finpainting#/
Questions?
Lauren Killoran – [email protected]
Lesley LaVasser – [email protected]
Senior Banner Photos
Thursday,
August 6 | 7:00 AM | PVHS Track
Rain Date: Tuesday, August 11 | 7:00 AM | PVHS Track
Senior athletes, it's time for your banner photo! These pictures will be used to create the senior banners displayed at our home meet.
What to Wear
- Official cross country uniform
- Any postseason medals you've earned (optional)
Banner Guidelines
Per PVHS guidelines, banner photos may only include:
- Cross country-related poses
- Cross country equipment
The following are not permitted:
- Funny poses
- Hand gestures
- Props
- Any non-cross country items
Banners that do not meet these guidelines cannot be displayed on campus.
After the official banner photos, Mrs. Kaminsky will take fun photos for your personal use—feel free to bring props for those!
Senior banners are $75 each. A purchase link will be sent after photos are taken.
Questions?
Katie Feather – [email protected]
Sabrina Kaminsky – [email protected]
PVXC Car Wash
Saturday,
August 15 | 8:30 AM–12:00 PM
Smith Eye Associates
120 A1A, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Our annual PVXC Car Wash is one of our biggest team fundraisers, and attendance is mandatory for all PVXC athletes.
What to Bring & Wear
- Water for yourself
- Shoes (required)
- Shorts and a T-shirt
Freshmen and first-year PVXC athletes: Please bring an old beach or bath towel that will not be returned.
Schedule
- 8:30 AM – Athlete arrival and setup
- 9:00 AM – Car washing begins
Bonus Perks
- Donuts for all PVXC athletes
- Donation-only car wash (though $20 still has
a nice ring to it!
) - BOGO Special: Buy one wash, get one for another $20!
- Want the VIP treatment? Coaches will wash your car for a $100 "Benjamin Special."
And
remember... we firmly believe that a wet car is a clean car! 
Thank you to Laurent Killoran, Stephanie Marciani, Purvi Sanghvi, Jim Colteryahn, Rob Graham, and Bridget Barket for your help in making this a great event!
Questions?
Stephanie Marciani - [email protected]
Volunteers Needed – Help Make This Season a Success!
It takes a team to support our team! The PVXC season runs best when our amazing parents pitch in, and we're so grateful to everyone who has already volunteered. If you haven't had a chance yet, we'd love to have you join us!
We're currently looking for help with:
Chip
& Bib Distribution
Help get our runners race-ready by assisting with chip and bib pickup at meets.
Parent Tent
Coordinator
Organize a SignUpGenius for parents to bring breakfast treats and coffee to our
early morning meets. The parent tent is a favorite gathering spot and a great
way to build community while cheering on our runners!
Pasta
Party Hosts
A fun way to support the team! If you live in a neighborhood with a clubhouse
or gathering space (Plantation Oaks, Sawmill Lakes, Fairfield, or similar),
you're a perfect candidate to host a team pasta dinner. A group will be able to
help with everything else - you just provide the space and will be reimbursed
for any costs!
Booster
Meeting Liaison
Attend the monthly Booster Club meeting at PVHS on Mondays at 7pm, take notes,
and share important updates with our coaches.
Whether you can help once or throughout the season, every volunteer makes a difference. Thank you for helping make PVXC an incredible experience for our athletes! Please contact Stephanie Marciani - [email protected] or 203-623-2502 if you are interested or have questions.
