Schools
Sandburg State Champion Cross Country Team honored by school board
While they will always have memories of earning a State Championship, it's the character they have developed that will serve them best
The District 230 School Board honored the Sandburg High School Cross Country Team and their coach John O’Malley for a State Championship season at last night’s meeting. These young men are not only amazing athletes, they are outstanding people, as well.
In introducing the team, Principal Deb Baker shared a story that encapsulates the spirit of this Eagle team. At the beginning of the season, the Thornton cross country coach approached Coach O’Malley to see if one of his very talented runners could train alongside the Eagles because they would provide a level of competition that he might not experience elsewhere. Throughout the season the Thornton athlete would find his way to Sandburg High School in order to run with the team. During the State series, following a win by the Eagles, the team changed into Thornton purple shirts with the letters HBS imprinted on them. These shirts were in honor of the runner who would take three buses, including one through the Harvey Bus Station, in order to train with the Eagles. In a moment that could have been focused on these amazing Sandburg athletes, they put their focus on honoring another athlete.
“While they will always have memories of earning a State Championship,” said Superintendent Dr. James M. Gay, “it’s the character they have developed with the leadership of Coach O’Malley that will serve them best in life.”
