November 18, 2023

Twenty-six hardy orienteers came out to take on the challenge at an overcast Cat Mountain with perfectly cool temperatures. A slight bit of rain in the beginning gave way to sun peaking out and accompanying warmth. Three courses were offered: a beginner course, a short advanced course, and a long advanced course. 

Top spots for the day went to first-time orienteer Annie King on the beginner course, dynamic duo Jim Holmes and Jane Larkindale on the short advanced, and certified lightning bolt/meet director Jeff Coker on the long advanced. All three completed their courses 30+ minutes ahead of the rest of the field. Congrats to you all!

I would like to thank everyone who helped to make this happen: Jeff and Nancy Coker for meet directing and control retrieving, Cristina Luis for registration stuff and being a font of knowledge, Peg Davis for coming out to the start/finish just to run a clinic, and Alexandre Savine, John and Marcy Beard, Annie King, and Mark Yungbluth for control retrieval. I genuinely could not pull this off without all yalls help!

Finally, an apology is due to all who were on the advanced courses. One of the controls (#3) was the victim of a parallel error on the part of the setter, yours truly. While a minor error in the overall scheme of things, it had a tangible impact on those who were searching for it in the form of confusion, consternation, and lost time. It is truly a learning moment for me, and the last thing a setter could possibly want to happen. I would like to thank everyone for your grace and patience.

-Alan-