Letter From The Editor(s): Thank You


Happy Thanksgiving!

On the eve of the final weekend of NXN Regionals and the first and only weekend of Foot Locker Regionals, I asked the MileSplit network of web masters to share what they were most thankful for. We have an unusual job, but I think the best one - we get to follow our favorite sport and promote and interact with the next NCAA and Olympic champions. 

I am most thankful for the athletes who inspire me every day to push physical limits and the rest of the MileSplit community -- editors, photographers, videographers, writers -- who inspire me every day to improve our coverage.

See you on the course.

Johanna Gretschel

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I'm thankful for a great supporting staff of contributors, who have stepped up their games this fall to help carry more of the load.  I'm also thankful for your work at the national office...!

Jeff George, Editor, MileSplit CA/NC Runners

I am thankful for being able to present our sport to everyone who loves it. Too many of our athletes are ignored as not real athletes because they do not play football etc. Remember Track and Cross Country are a sport all the rest are just games.
James Matthews, Editor, MS MileSplit

I'm thankful to be able to cover the sport that I love.
Tony Jones, Editor, IL MileSplit

This year I am thankful for my beautiful wife, Stacy, and 20 month old baby boy, Gavin. In addition to my amazing family, I am grateful for the running community who allows me to share and promote the sport we all love. 

Todd Grasley, Editor, FL Runners

I'm thankful to get to cover and share in these kids success and failures, helping them recover from devastation and celebration.
Jim Madison, Editor, KS MileSplit

On this Thanksgiving and and eve of Foot Locker South I am thankful for the historically great group of athletes Virginia has. The XC contingent is joined by an equally historic and nationally great group of track athletes. Though their talent is noteworthy, the think I am most thankful for is how gracious, humble, friendly, accepting, and awesome all the athletes, coaches, and fans are in Virginia. Covering the sport for you is the best thing I could ask for.
Nolan Jez, Editor, VA MileStat

I'm thankful for the opportunity to promote a sport that doesn't typically offer much in the way of recognition. I'm thankful for the opportunities to feature new rising talent long before most people in the state have taken notice. And, maybe most especially, I'm thankful for the opportunity to rub shoulders on a frequent basis with what may be the best group of coaches in the nation.
Alan Versaw, Editor, CO MileSplit

I am thankful for the opportunity over the last 15 years to cover some of the most natural sports in the world and the ability to interact and interview athletes and coaches after putting everything on the line during competitions. Cross country and track and field along with my mentors in the sport helped me achieve my goals in school during the day-to-day challenges. I wouldn't be able to manage the website without that support of friends and family.  Thank you. Happy Thanksgiving.
John Olson, Editor, SC Runners

I am thankful  to live in the best nation in the world, to believe and worship as I choose, and to raise my family.  
Kern Sorrell, Editor, MO MileSplit


I'm thankful to work for a great company full of passionate individuals who are die hard fans revolutionizing high school cross country/track&field coverage. The time and effort athletes,coaches,and parents put into the sport is unmatched. Some athletes train to compete for 15-20 minutes, while others compete for 15-20 seconds. It's that level of dedication and commitment that results in so many unforgettable moments within our sport. From the elite athletes winning a state championship or qualify for nationals for the first time, down to the less noticed, but no less important, moments like an individual competing in their first varsity race. To the casual observer, XC/track&field may not appear as exciting as football or basketball. That lack of understanding and appreciation shouldn't result in the minimal coverage we see relative to other sports. I'm thankful to be part of MileSplit and driving our sport in that direction to help make it "main stream".
Travis Miller, Content Marketing Coordinator, MileSplit network