Connor Chadwick struggled to run just a short distance when he joined York High School’s cross-country team as a freshman almost five years ago.
He was born with cerebral palsy, wore casts on his legs as a little boy and then leg braces night and day until just before he started high school.
None of that fazed Joe Newton, the legendary coach of the York Dukes, who have won more state championships than any other high school team in the country.
“We take anybody that walks,” Newton said.
Some of the freshman he recruits with gusto will turn out to be all-state runners. And a few, like Connor, one of several York runners featured in the 2008 documentary “The Long Green Line,” will become an inspiration to their teammates.
“He’s like their hero,” Newton said.
Supported by his coach and family, cheered on by teammates at the finish line and powered by his own determination and hard work, Connor worked his way up to 10-mile training runs and 8-minute miles.
Sarah Palin stretches in her Yoga pants before a run in Wasilla AK
In the upcoming issue of Runner’s World, Sarah Palin talks a lot about running. Her trail running technique, the calm she gets from running, and more. She also thinks she can beat Obama in a race…such a competior…
Our President, I’m told, is a runner. Would you ever run with him?
I would, absolutely. I would and people have asked if I’d ever challenge him to one-on-one because we both love basketball. But look, he towers over me and I wouldn’t be complaining about an unfair advantage there, but maybe I’d do better playing H-O-R-S-E with him than one-on-one.
What about in a race? Could you beat the president?
I betcha I’d have more endurance. My one claim to fame in my own little internal running circle is a sub-four marathon. It wasn’t necessarily a good running time, but it proves I have the endurance within me to at least gut it out and that is something, if you ever talk to my old coaches they’d tell you, too. What I lacked in physical strength or skill I made up for in determination and endurance. So if were a long race that required a lot of endurance I’d win.
The Long Green Line. DVD. approx. 1:30 hrs. Long Green Line. 2008. $19.95. Gr 8 Up—This moving documentary traces the 2005 season of the cross-country running team at York Public High School in Elmhurst, IL, but it is about far more than long-distance running. Ultimately, it is the inspiring story of Joe Newton, a coach whose 50 plus years of experience has established one of the most winning high school teams in America. Despite the fact that only the top seven athletes on a given team compete, York’s program has over 200 participants. Each of these students commit to the sport for the chance to work with Newton. The coach teaches the boys that they should do their best, be on time and “it’s nice to be great but far greater to be nice.” The 2005 season was of particular importance because it marked the team’s 25th state title in 50 years. The film follows the team as they prepare for the state finals. Along the way, they persevere through many obstacles, including the mid-season expulsion of two of the team’s top seven runners after they caused over one million dollars in arson damage. The director effectively incorporates graphics to demonstrate the team’s organizational structure and how scores are tallied and tracked. This documentary will have wonderful applications for middle and high school athletic programs, as well as for any program where team and community building is a central goal.—Vincent M. Livoti, Kresge Center for Teaching Resources, Lesley University, Cambridge, MA
We didn’t have any place in the film for this clip, but we thought the internet would enjoy it. York was challenged by New Trier’s cross country team - to play Ultimate Frisbee. New Trier said that they wanted, “to beat York in something.”
After the game (York lost), the boys still wanted to compete.
The clip has NOTHING to do with the actual film - please watch the trailer to see what the film is all about.
PLEASE do not try this ever. It is not a smart thing to do.
A little bit ago, Case Shay, Ryan’s brother emailed us to ask if he could use some of the audio from his brother’s address to the runners at York.
Please feel free to download this track by clicking HERE.
