The Mile 20 Edition

Finishing Strong

Whenever I talk to someone who recently ran a marathon, I am interested to find out the point at which the race became difficult for them. Many runners are quick to point out the 18-20 mile mark as both a physical and psychological hurdle for them. Next, I like to ask them how they were able to push on after this point in the race. As common as their answer of 18-20 miles may be, their answer to the next question is anything but consistent or common.

Some people say that they just had to trust that their training prepared them for this moment. Others say it’s just a gut check after Mile 20. Once, a runner even told me that he “literally had to think about moving one foot in front of the other.”

Lastly, I try to find out if they accomplished what they set out to accomplish. As expected, many first-timers say they just wanted to finish, while some vets pointed to setting a new PR as their motivation.

So here we are, five weeks away from the end of the school year, Mile 20 of this marathon of a school year. How will you (or your student) push on toward the finish line? We are all vets with multiple years of experience. Set your sights on a new PR. Trust your training. Finish strong!

Highlights and Successes:

Congratulations to Coach Ray Roth and the Girls Water Polo Team on finishing in 2nd place at the Fremd tournament with 2 wins and 1 loss!

Congratulations to Grace Wiltgen, Hannah Jaros, Jackson Hirsch, Michael Riccardo, Annemarie Clooney, and Alison Gauvreau on being selected to exhibit artwork at the The Illinois Institute of Art at Schaumburg - D211 Art Show. In addition, awards were earned by Tessa Bley – Best of Show, Stephanie Dodgen - 2nd Place , Mitchell McConnell - 3rd Place.

Congratulations to Coach Jim Aikens and the Boys Track Team on beating Palatine High School  in the Crosstown Classic Dual Track Meet 76-70!

Congratulations to Boys Gymnast Eric Barnd on his success at the Conant Varsity Invite:  1st place Pommel Horse,  2nd Place Vault and  3rd Place All Around.

Congratulations to the Fremd Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Winds, and Wind Symphony for their performances at the “Chicagoland Invitational Concert Band Festival” on Saturday April 8th.  The Wind Ensemble (under the direction of Jeremy Figlewicz) and Symphonic Winds (under the direction of JT Teichert) were both awarded overall “Division 1/Superior” ratings in their divisions from the panel of collegiate band director adjudicators.  In addition to their performances, the three bands also participated in an educational clinic with the college band directors.

Congratulations to this week’s Viking Pride winners: Gabrielle Aranza, Tom Cao, Alexis Cortez, Paige Dirkes-Jacks, David Dziobon, Colleen Kennedy, Alec Liautaud, Cooper Michalak, Arthur Szacik, and Hope Yates.

Upcoming Home Activities and Varsity Events

April 21	Girls Track & Field Invitational @ Glenbrook South H.S. - 4:30 p.m. Boys Baseball @ Wheeling H.S. - 4:30 p.m. Girls Softball vs. Conant H.S. - 4:45 p.m. Boys Volleyball Invitational  @ Schaumurg, H.S. - 5:00 p.m. Boys Track & Field @ Lake Zurich H.S. - 5:00 p.m. Boys Gymnastics Invitational @ HEHS - 6:00 p.m.
April 22	Boys Tennis Invitational @ Downers Grove South H.S. - 8:00 a.m. Boys Water Polo @ Lincoln Way West - 8:30 a.m. Girls Softball vs. Lake Park - 12:00 p.m. Girls Soccer Invitational @ New Trier H.S. - 12:00 p.m. Girls Lacrosse @ Warren Township H.S. - 12:30 p.m. Boys Baseball Double Header @ Glenbrook North H.S. - 10:30 a.m. Boys Lacrosse vs. Lyons Township - 1:00 p.m. Boys Track & Field @ Palatine H.S. - 7:00 p.m.
April 24	Girls Softball @ Palatine H.S. - 4:30 p.m. Boys Baseball @ Hoffman Estates H.S. - 4:30 p.m. Girls Water Polo @ Schaumburg H.S. - 5:30 p.m. Boys Water Polo vs. Schaumburg H.S. - 5:30 p.m. Girls Lacrosse @ Libertyville Brainerd Campus - 5:30 p.m. Girls Soccer vs. Elk Grove H.S. - 7:00 p.m.
April 25	Academic Teams Reception - Cafeteria, 7:00 p.m. Girls Track & Field Divisional @ Schaumburg H.S. - 4:45 p.m. Boys Track & Field @ FHS - 4:45 p.m. Boys Water Polo vs. Mundelein H.S. - 6:00 p.m. Boys Volleyball vs. Palatine, H.S. -6:00 p.m. Girls Water Polo @ Mundelein H.S. - 6:00 p.m. Boys Lacrosse @ Hinsdale Central H.S. - 7:00 p.m.
April 26	Boys Baseball vs. HEHS - 4:30 p.m. Girls Softball vs. Barrington H.S. - 4:30 p.m. Boys Tennis vs. Wheaton Warrenville South H.S. - 4:30 p.m.
April 27	Boys Tennis vs. HEHS - 4:30 p.m. Girls Soccer @ FHS - 5:00 p.m. Boys Volleyball @ Conant H.S. - 6:00 p.m. Girls Water Polo @ Naperville Central H.S. - 6:30 p.m. Girls Soccer @ FHS - 7:00 p.m.

For a more complete list, please visit our Athletics Page.

Staff Spotlight

Name: Nick Mamula

Position: English Teacher / Head Boys Lacrosse Coach / JV2 Boys Soccer Coach

Years at Fremd: 4 years teaching English / 4 years coaching lacrosse / 2 years coaching soccer

Life Before Fremd: Graduated from Downers Grove South High School, earned a degree in English Education from Illinois State University, earned a Master’s Degree in Reading from National Louis University, student taught and coached at Minooka High School, subbed in District 99 for one year, taught and coached at Hoffman Estates High School.

Hobbies/Interests: Spending as much possible time with my son, Nicholas (2 yrs.), and daughter, Dahlia (1 yr.), playing golf, reading, working on our house, playing and watching anything sports related, cooking, and writing

Insider Tip for Parents: Make and eat dinner with your child and without your phones/technology.

Ask the Principal

Are you curious about something at Fremd but have never asked? Email me at ktenopir@d211.org. If your question is pertinent to a wider audience, I will include it in the next blog post.