On Saturday, September 9th, Erie High School’s cross country team hosted its third annual jorts (jean shorts) mile to help raise money for the team.
This event is all about building community here in Erie with the majority of both the boys and girls cross country teams, plus the multiple families and community members attending to run. What sets this apart from just running four laps around a track is the fact that all participants are encouraged to wear jorts.
This tradition was started by Mike Krause, the father of the recent Erie High School graduate, Evan Krause who was a part of the cross country team. Despite both of M. Krause’s kids being off in college now, he carried on the tradition because of how special this cross country program is to him. He mentions that, “it’s really just the same thing over and over again and everyone just really seems to love the jorts atmosphere”.
This could not be more true as tons of community members and families came out to the track to run. The first race is held is the community walk/jog in which a multitude of kids and parents took on the mile. Reagan Thomas, the mom of Erie Tiger runner Behn Thomas, tells that this is her third year participating and how her favorite part is the community during this event… along with the hot dog mile.
Later on in the evening is the elite mile. This is an exciting race as seven more experienced adult runners compete for first place including big names such as Mike Krause and Mr. Aurthur, a teacher at the high school.
Right after this is the chance for the tiger cross country team, along with some other Erie students, to showcase their skills, with the high school mile. The bulk of the team sported their jorts and matching tie dye shirts, with many looking for a new personal best.
Everyone was quick after the gun went off, but soon four leaders emerged that led the pack for the rest of the race. It was a close race and a fight to the finish, and senior Cody Simonson squeezed out fellow senior Dillon Richardson for first place with a 4:52 mile.
On the girls side of things, junior Sabina Stroia was the clear winner, finishing with a sub six minute mile. Stroia loves the jorts mile saying, , “it’s just a really nice, fun fundraiser and the community is really nice.”
By the time the sun had set, nearly everyone had finished a mile in their jorts, and despite some ending with a faster time than others, it was an exciting experience for everyone. The atmosphere inside of tiger stadium was electric as people gathered together to get some exercise and cheer others on as they pushed through that last stretch of the track.
The jorts mile is an incredible tradition put on by the Erie cross country team that is sure to be around for many more years, and it will continue to build upon the striking community that has emerged from this fundraiser.
