Add groundskeeper to Vince DeGrado’s coaching responsibilities this week.
DeGrado, head coach of the Allen Community College cross country and track teams, is in the midst of hurriedly preparing a 5-kilometer course suitable for a college-level cross country meet.
The original plans were to host the Oct. 3 meet at the Allen County Country Club.
However, country club officials notified DeGrado recently the venue would be unavailable because of repairs.
“At the end of the day, we understand the country club is a golf course, not a cross country course,” he said, “even though it’s an awesome facility.”
Concerned, but not undaunted, DeGrado immediately set out to find a separate locale.
“Option B was to have it on campus,” DeGrado said.
Then, he thought of another site. The former Cedarbrook Golf Course property.
DeGrado recalled eyeing the property on several occasions, usually when he was golfing.
“I was thinking, ‘I could run there,’” he said. “I’m a cross country coach at heart. That’s what I do.”
DeGrado reached out to the property owners, who were more than happy to allow next week’s meet.
“I assured them I would do all of the work,” he said. “They didn’t have to worry about anything.”
The task, to find a route challenging enough for college-level athletes, while avoiding encroaching neighboring properties on the old golf course, required a bit of finagling, he said.
Now that he has the route established, DeGrado will spend pretty much every idle moment between now and next Saturday going over the course, mowing down areas that need it, removing debris that could be in the way, and otherwise ensuring a challenging, but safe, event.
He’s uncertain what to expect next week, or even how many teams will compete.
