XC parents: your role this summer is simple but important. Help make sure your athlete gets to practice, completes their on-your-own runs, and that running remains a priority even during vacations. Let’s be honest: most runs take less than an hour and can usually be done before the rest of the family is even ready for the day. If you’re vacationing somewhere that isn’t safe to run outside… where exactly are you vacationing? 😄 Beyond running, parents can make a huge difference by helping athletes:
• train in relatively new running shoes
• eat mostly home-cooked meals and have a good stock of snacks
• maintain a normal sleep schedule
• actually hear that alarm in the morning Summer isn’t a break from responsibilities. In many ways, teenagers need more structure and support during the summer than they do during the school year. A successful fall season is built during the summer.

There is no secret. Consistency over intensity. Small wins instead of chasing heroic efforts. Progress beats perfection. Solid work. Repeated for a long time. That's it.

Underrated life advice: Make peace with being misunderstood. Every meaningful path looks strange to someone who would never walk it.

When it comes to getting better at just about anything, realize that there is no secret. It's about putting in the work. There are no magic routines, workouts, or any of that junk that will get you better. And we're all doing just about the same kinds of work.

Hard work absolutely matters. But so does recovery, so does having friends, family, and hobbies, and other outlets. I know that sounds sacrilegious to the 'pushers', but there's a reason why Nobel Prize-Winning scientists are 3x as likely to have a hobby. We need a break.

Congratulations to our athletes and coaches on winning the 2025-26 Mid-Illini All Sport Trophy. It's a tremendous accomplishment considering the level of excellence demonstrated by the Mid-Illini Conference and its member schools. Honored to host the trophy for another year!

Broadcast info for the 2026 @NCAATrackField DI Outdoor Championships via @BrooksAD.

1st Team All Mid-Illini Conference!

1st Team All Mid-Illini Conference! IHSA State Champion!

1st Team All Mid-Illini Conference!

Trust your training. Want to perform? That's it. Do the work. Have confidence in it. Be present. Get out of your own way.

Athletic Boosters are looking for some new board and committee members! Reach out if you are interested and are a current Booster member or looking to join the club.

The more you practice and do the thing, the better you get at doing the thing. The thing could be running, playing a musical instrument, doing math or yo-yo tricks. Years > months > weeks > single sessions Realize this and commit to the delayed gratification. You work now to be good later.

A rule that will improve your life: Never assume bad intent, but don’t ignore repeated patterns. Everyone gets grace. Nobody gets unlimited passes.

Congrats to all the former, current, and future Eagles who ran Steamboat this morning!

State Bound!!! Best of luck ladies!!

State Softball Sendoff! Eagle fans are invited to meet Friday morning 8:00 am to support our Lady Eagles as they head to IHSA Semifinal game at Louisville Slugger. The bus will leave at 8:00 am from the high school parking lot. Go Eagles!

FINAL Dunlap 11 Joliet 7 The Eagles survive an incredible barn burner. Insane box score below It’ll be an all-Mid Illini matchup with the Eagles and East Peoria in the 3A sectional title game on Saturday!

Trust is earned. One of the biggest mistakes leaders make is assuming their title or past buys them trust. It doesn't. Trust is always earned. As an NFL GM told me, "Your past success gives you a tiny amount of time and grace. But that's about it. You always have to earn it."

Game Time!