October 25 2026
Touch the Line
The Ponte Vedra Cross Country team is fortunate to have such a large and supportive group of parents. A few weeks ago, the girl’s team got to hear one of them, Tiffany Lommel (Rafe and Lucy’s mom), speak to them about their specific nutritional needs. Presenting along with her was Allison Bovee (Colin’s mom) talking about her experiences running in high school, college and as an adult.
This week was the boy’s turn, with Mrs. Lommel speaking on nutrition and Matt Nelson (Chelsea’s dad and 2025 Donna marathon champion) talking about the future of PVXC and why he sees the team over time becoming state champions, ahead of even Belen. He gave four reasons why. One that really resonated with me and I believe deserves a wider audience is “touching the line.”
In cross country, we spend a lot of time talking about times, places, personal records, and team goals. But there is something more fundamental that helps determine whether we reach those goals: our willingness to finish what we start and give our best effort, even when nobody is watching.
In sports, “touching the line” is a simple instruction. When running sprints or line drills, athletes are expected to run all the way to the line—not a few inches short, not close enough, but all the way. It is a small detail but one that matters.
The difference isn't about the extra few inches; it’s about the mindset.
The difference between average and excellent often comes down to whether we touch the line or turn just before it. Stopping short might save a little effort in that moment, but it sends a message: close enough is good enough. And that message can become a habit.
Cross country gives us plenty of opportunities to practice touching the line:
- Finishing the last repetition of a workout with the same intended pace as the first
- Completing the scheduled distance instead of cutting it short
- Pushing through the final stretch of a race when your legs are tired and lungs are screaming
- Doing your Train On Your Own workout rather than taking the day off
Training requires discipline, patience, and knowing the difference between an easy day and a hard day. Touching the line means meeting the standard for that day's work—no more and no less.
Touching the Line is also about respecting your teammates. When everyone completes the workout as intended, they contribute to a culture of accountability, and no one has to wonder whether others are doing their part. Teammates build trust by holding themselves to the same standard they expect from the people beside them.
Ultimately, touching the line isn't about perfection or an extra inch in a sprint. It's about character. It's choosing not to take shortcuts, refusing to settle for less than your best, and understanding that excellence is built through countless small decisions.
The next time you hear “touch the line,” remember that the line is more than a mark on the track. It's the standard you've agreed to meet. Don't turn short. Finish what you started. Touch the line.
🧙 🧛 Thursday October 29 will be costume day for practice – just make sure you can run in or remove your costume! 👻 🎃
There were no races last week, but we have two of them next week to look forward to, both at the same venue and course:
3A District 2 Championship - November 2nd, 2026
Girls Roster: Piper Ross, Olivia Kaminsky, Savannah LaVasser, Cailyn Douglas, Rio Ossi, Phoebe Litwack, Barbara Ross
Boys Roster: Luke Ross, Logan Hunt, Colin Bovee, Aiden Killoran, Jack Feather, Rafe Lommel, Hayden Busch
Bishop Kenny High School
1055 Kingman Ave. Jacksonville, FL 32207
Race Schedule:
Awards will be presented as follows:
https://gofan.co/event/6979944?schoolId=FL17917
North Florida JV Championship – October 31st, 2026
Girls Roster: Everyone not racing at the District Championship race
Boys Roster: Everyone not racing at the District Championship race
Bishop Kenny High School
1055 Kingman Ave. Jacksonville, FL 32207
Race Schedule:
https://gofan.co/event/6979932?schoolId=FL17917
Results can be found at 1stplacesports.com
From the race director:
This year we will be returning to the original format of the North Florida JV Championships. This year's race and scoring will open to JV athletes of all grade levels (not exclusively freshmen and sophomores). In addition, in consideration of the new FHSAA rules for the varsity postseason (7 athletes max for Districts, Regions, and States), any athlete that is not on a team’s District Championship roster will be eligible to race in the JV Championship race.
Course map for both races:
