The Gurley Family: October 2025

Senior Recognition

Since the league meet is the last meet of the season for many of the runners, they like to take time to recognize the seniors afterward.

Each of the senior girls had prepared speeches, talking about what the team has meant to them. Then the younger girls also had prepared things to say about each of the seniors. Hannah talked about Ally Hay.

They also had Mrs. McCourtie come say a few words. She was the seniors' middle school coach for a year and taught many of them in sixth grade.

The boys went with more of a "wing it" approach. (Micah said he thought about what he was going to say during his cool down at practice right before.) Micah and the other senior boy each said a few words. Then (after some terrified looks from the other boys) one of the juniors stepped up to talk (and laugh) about the seniors.

Districts and Regionals

In the post-season, each team can only enter seven runners in the race. And here's more evidence that cross-country kids are the best. Even though they weren't running, almost the entire girls' team showed up to support their teammates. All those girls in light blue t-shirts came to cheer, hug, and encourage.

start line

finish line

Mr. Gnabah, a math teacher at the high school, came to cheer on his students.

In the past, only the top 6 teams from districts qualified to go to regionals. However, because we are in one of the most competitive regions in the state, this year they increased the number of qualifying teams. Neither of our teams needed the extra places, though. Our girls finished 3rd as a team, and the boys were 5th.

Our youth pastor Blake and small group leaders (and good friends) the Wyszynskis came to cheer for Micah.

Sadly, the boys team took a terrible hit at the end of the meet. The boy who usually either finishes 2nd or 3rd for the team has been running with a stress fracture. As he crossed the finish line, his tibia broke. I can't be sure, but I think this picture might capture the horrible moment.

Without one of our top 5 runners, the next week at regionals looked very different for the boys' team; there was really no way for them to qualify as a team. Our top runner would have no problem qualifying as an individual (he actually won the race in a very exciting finish!). But with the new rules allowing so many more runners and teams, we had no idea if Micah had a chance to qualify as an individual or not.

He ran an absolutely amazing race. His time was 17:18, which is almost 40 seconds faster than he's ever run that course before!! Unfortunately, it was not fast enough to put him in the top 20 individuals and was therefore the end of his season. We'll take some time to reflect on the end of Micah's cross country career another day.

"Senior captain Micah Gurley gave it his all and really put himself in a possible state qualifying position. Although it didn’t pan out, it was an amazing, gutsy, and courageous race and a fitting end to such an incredible career. Micah has been so important to this team - his calming presence is what this team needs (and I need) in such a chaotic environment. His leadership skills and his brain power have been a blessing for all of us. I need him NOT to be a senior." - Coach Loveless

The boys all ran really well.

The girls' team successfully qualified for states with an impressive performance. They are a talented group of ladies! Although Hannah's hip is keeping her from running in the post-season, the coaches still invited her and another teammate to travel with the top girls to Columbus this weekend. I believe their motivation is looking ahead to next year. There's a good chance that this group of girls (minus the seniors) will make it to states again next year, so they want Hannah and her teammate to have the experience of being there to help prepare them.

And even though he's not running, Micah is going to Columbus this weekend as well! Our top boy runner is allowed to invite a teammate to join him, and he asked Micah to come.

End of Football

Welp, it was not a great season for football, but that's ok. Matthew still loves the sport and enjoys his teammates and coaches. Next year he'll be playing for the middle school team!

When Matthew started playing in second grade, we didn't know anyone and had no idea how he would do. The coaches told us later in the year that when they were dividing up the teams they were like, "Does anyone know who this Gurley kid is?" "Is he the one who was wearing Notre Dame?". They were pleasantly surprised when he turned out to be a good little player who scored in almost every game that season!

In the years following, he was no longer carrying the ball and scoring touchdowns, but his coaches would put him at almost any other position, both offense and defense. Matthew's strength has always been his brain - he has no problem memorizing everyone's roles on every play. He understands the game and the strategy so well that by third and fourth grade he could have intelligent conversations with the high school coach (and I could only understand half of what he was saying).