10/13/2012 7:30:00 AM RHSto battle elements, coaching distractions at GNCcross country meet Jeremy Mayo Sports Editor

The Great Northern Conference cross country meet takes place this morning at Edgewater Country Club in Tomahawk. It will be the culimination of a long week for the RHS cross country team.

The Hodags enter today's meet knowing it will be one of their final races under coach Josh Jaeger, who will be taking a teaching position in Crandon next month.

As for the race itself, the Hodags will look to bounce back from a tough race on the same course one week ago, but today's race may take a different feel with heavy rain in the forecast.

Jaeger to step down

As the River News reported online Wednesday, Jaeger is coaching his final races as the head coach at RHS. He told his team Tuesday that he accepted a teaching position in Crandon. His final day at RHSwill be Nov. 2.

"They took it hard, but a lot of them understand the decision I made and why I made it,"Jaeger told the River News. "We talked a long time about that (Tuesday) night and I told them when you hit a point in your life where you have to make a decision, it may greatly impact a lot of people, but you need to make the decision that is best for you and your family."

Jaeger is a Crandon native and resides there with his wife and two young children. He admitted the news did not come at a great time for the team, before one of its biggest races of the year, but said he the decision had to be made.

"Plain and simple the timing is just horrendous,"Jaeger said. "I knew that coming in, but I made a decision based on what I think is in the best interest of my family and my children. My goal as a parent is to be there for the two children I helped bring into this planet.

"I don't get to see my kids as often as I would like. I strap them into my wife's vehicle at 6:30 a.m. every morning and I don't get to see them until after 6 p.m. every night. I see my kids probably two hours a day and this new job in Crandon would allow me to see my children more."

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RHS to battle elements, coaching distractions at GNC cross country meet