{"id":4882,"date":"2017-06-28T15:34:37","date_gmt":"2017-06-28T19:34:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/essportscouncil.org\/liberty-tour\/?p=4882"},"modified":"2017-06-28T15:39:09","modified_gmt":"2017-06-28T19:39:09","slug":"leaping-lizards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/essportscouncil.org\/liberty-tour\/post\/leaping-lizards\/","title":{"rendered":"LEAPING LIZARDS!"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Depending on the generation from which you come, or your love of quality Musicals, it is likely that you recognize the phrase \u201cLeaping Lizards\u201d<\/strong> from the Broadway hit Musical \u201cANNIE\u201d<\/strong>, which became a Blockbuster<\/strong> hit at the Theater <\/strong>starring Carol Burnette<\/strong> as Miss Hannigan<\/strong>, the operator of the Hudson Street Orphanage<\/strong> where Annie stays, and Albert Finney<\/strong> as Oliver (Daddy) Warbucks<\/strong>, who eventually adopts her.\u00a0 This phrase is used as a means of unexpected surprise and excitement when Annie realizes that she gets to spend a week at the Warbucks\u2019 Mansion<\/strong> in New York City<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

That stated, the Draco Lizard<\/strong> (Pictured Above<\/em><\/strong>) has taken the ground out of the equation for movement, by adapting the capacity for flight.\u00a0 Its set of elongated ribs act as wings when unfurled, allowing the Draco Lizard<\/strong> to catch the wind and glide.\u00a0 They use their long, slender tails to steer themselves, to carry them for up to 30 feet<\/strong>!<\/p>\n

Well, I am NOT<\/strong> sure if Xavier Nixon<\/strong> (Pictured Above<\/em><\/strong>), from the Country Mills Eagles<\/strong> possesses elongated ribs that unfurl, or if he uses his tail to steer his body, but at the Adirondack District Championships<\/strong>, he did set a new Long Jump Record<\/strong> at 6.66m<\/strong> in the Senior Boys Division<\/strong>, breaking the former Record<\/strong> of 6.51m<\/strong> previously held by Timathy Holzhauer<\/strong>, also of the Country Mills Eagles<\/strong>, but has stood for nearly eight (8)<\/strong> years!<\/p>\n

\u201cHe earned every bit of this Long Jump Record\u201d<\/strong>, noted Head Track & Field Coach<\/strong> of the Country Mills Eagles<\/strong>, Anthony Mills.\u00a0 He adds, \u201cHe has raw talent to work with, and so he was a good jumper when I initially met him back in March, but he had to unlearn a few bad habits, so that he could be in a position to take his Jumping to a level few get to experience.\u00a0 I am happy to say that he is just getting started!\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Xavier, better known as \u201cX\u201d<\/strong>, has advanced to the Region I AAU Championships<\/strong> in Plainfirld, NJ<\/strong> this weekend (June 30th<\/sup> \u2013 July 2nd<\/sup>), and looks to finish in the top four (4)<\/strong> places, so that he can move on to the National Junior Olympics<\/strong> in MI <\/strong>the first week of August<\/strong>.\u00a0 \u201cI made a<\/strong><\/p>\n

mental visual mark in my mind where I needed to jump to set the Record,\u201d<\/strong> recalls Xavier.\u00a0 He continues, \u201cOn that jump everything felt smooth and relaxed.\u00a0 Once I landed, I knew I had cleared that mark I had etched in my mind.\u00a0 When I heard the distance called out I was so EXCITED!\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0 What was most interesting about this young man was his follow up statement when he made it clear that, \u201cThe satisfaction was momentary, though.\u00a0 Being satisfied DOES NOT bring improvement.\u00a0 I have work to do to reach my goal of 23\u2019+ this year.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

ES Sports<\/strong> will be sure to keep you posted on Xavier\u2019s continued success, as he still has the Region I AAU Championships<\/strong>, the Liberty Games<\/strong>, and the National Junior Olympics<\/strong> on his 2017 Track & Field Schedule<\/strong>. \u00a0Who knows, maybe he will jump 30<\/strong> feet?<\/p>\n

The next event of the Liberty Tour Track & Field<\/strong> season is the Liberty Games Track & Field<\/strong> competition, which is Friday & Saturday<\/strong>, July 14th<\/sup> & 15th<\/sup><\/strong>, and will be held at Mohonasen High School<\/strong>.\u00a0 This event, like the Adirondack Championships<\/strong>, will host ALL<\/strong> of the Combined Events<\/strong>, as well as a 5k Race<\/strong> that will begin on the Track<\/strong>, then take to a bit of a Cross Country Turf<\/strong>, before going to the Road<\/strong>, and then finishing up with 400m<\/strong> on the Track<\/strong>.\u00a0 This race counts in the Team Scoring<\/strong> for the Liberty Tour Track & Field Series<\/strong>.\u00a0 Moreover, scoring is Double Points<\/strong> for the Liberty Games Track & Field<\/strong> event, which will provide an opportunity for places to change in the Team Scoring<\/strong>.\u00a0 For those Teams<\/strong> looking to solidify their position in the top four (4)<\/strong> places to receive a Liberty Sports Gear Certificate<\/strong>, be sure to Register<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/span> your Team Now!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\t\t