Hilltop High School Cross Country

Hi, my name is Josh Swanson. This is the first time I’ve done this as a parent :-). My Step Son Aidan’s cross country team needs to raise some money for Uniforms, a Tent, and lots of other things, and although my 100 dollars will help, it won’t do much for what they need.

Im doing this not just because I care about this kid, but because of what this sport has done for him.

Last year he came up to me on a Saturday and asked me to go buy him a pair of running shoes. I told him no problem, and asked him what for, as he was a gamer, very much an introvert, and most definitely not a runner. He smiled and said “I’m joining Cross Country on Monday.

I about fell over. And he smirked which meant he was serious. I played sports, but hate running, however my Father coached Cross Country for 20+ years. I warned him, letting him know that he hadn’t run all summer, or over the last couple years for that matter. I told him to just try to get a little better each day.

Privately, I told my Queen there was no way he was lasting two weeks. Man, was I wrong!! His first race was on JV against 8-10 teams a few weeks later. He finished last. On JV. By a bunch. I swear to you I had proud tears rolling down my face when he crossed that finish line, around a blazing 16:40 mile. This kid, who had never ran, just finished a 3.1 mile race. His teammates were there cheering like he finished the Boston Marathon!

He worked all season. Through asthma, shin splints, knee injuries. He started losing weight, walking with his chest out and this twinkle in his eyes I hadn’t really seen.

By the end of the year, he was running an 8:10 mile. An 8:10! The kid then kept going and joined track, bringing his mile time down to 6:20 by May.

Think about that. We’re all adults. This kid took 10 MINUTES off his mile time. In 8 months. His confidence soared. He believed in himself. He proved to himself that by working hard, even when things got tough, to push through and the result will be epic.

Your donation will allow Aidan and his awesome team a chance to find themselves. Do this for not just the great athletes, but also those athletes that bust their butts to be THEIR BEST. Help these kids Chase Greatness. Whether it’s a dollar, or whatever you can, it all can help.