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Former library book; May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less Former library book; May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less See less
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Varsity Seven Paperback – January 1, 2018

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 43 ratings

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What football is to the South, distance running is to the Northwest. And in Spokane, Washington cross country running is king. Each fall thousands of elementary, middle, and high school students traverse the roads and trails, training and competing for their chance to win. Just as some of the greatest Kenyan runners in the world come from one small town, in an area called the Rift Valley, Spokane continues to supply some of America’s greatest runners. The Greater Spokane League (GSL) is comprised of 10 teams. Five of those high schools, half of the league, have competed at the coveted Nike Cross Nationals since the inaugural race in 2004. Since 1979 Spokane has sent male or female distance runners to 24 of the 38 Foot Locker National Championships: that is over 60% of the time one town has been represented on a National level. There are over 266,000 male high school distance runners and 226,000 female high school runners comprising over 29,000 teams in the United States. The GSL is a statistical outlier in every respect. What makes this small city a Rift Valley of American Distance Running? By delving into the history of the athletes, coaches, volunteers and families that have set this city apart the answer becomes clear. Varsity Seven is more than just a story of top teams and times. It is the journey of the Hawkins family. From 1993 to 2010 these seven children competed during one of the most competitive eras and in one of the most competitive leagues in the country.
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Out There Outdoor Magazine (October 2018 Issue)
Jon Jonkers

Dynasties in any sport come and go, but the Hawkins family holds a special place in Spokane high school running lore. The family’s journey is chronicled in Peter Hawkins book, Varsity Seven, and it shines a spotlight on the magic of high school cross-country in Spokane.
Hawkins writes, “Since 1979, Spokane has sent male or female distance runners to 24 of the 38 Foot Locker National Championships: that is over 60% of the time one town has been represented on a National level. There are over 266,000 male high school distance runners and 226,000 female high school runners comprising over 29,000 teams in the United States. The GSL [Greater Spokane League] is a statistical outlier in every respect.”
From 1993 to 2010, the Hawkins siblings raced at Ferris High School, and competed in one of the most competitive leagues in the country. Peter is the fifth of seven kids, and he raced within a string of state championship teams starting in 2003. Many of his brothers and sisters also landed on the podium at the state meet, and his older brother Isaac is now an assistant coach at Ferris.
Admittedly, the “Varsity Seven” story rolls along with a Hawkins family bias; however, the author invested a solid portion of the book to emphasize many of the trailblazers and iconic Eastern Washington runners who paved the way for high school cross-country. The book contains unique interviews and special stories featuring Gerry Lindgren, Rick Riley, Don Kardong, Pat Tyson and Jon Knight.
In the forward, legendary Mead High School Coach Pat Tyson writes, “The beauty of this book is that Peter Hawkins has crafted an accurate and detail rich story. All who are within these pages have been amazed at how this book rings true to the tenor of the time. Just as Spokane seems to b a city locked in time, like “The Wonder Years,” so too are these vignettes snapshots into an era. And Peter has done what he has seen other athletes and coaches do in Spokane; he has made this accessible to everyone.”
Even if you aren’t a runner, this is a great book. The tensions between various schools, and the rollercoaster rides for different siblings, and the struggles that coaches had to endure are woven together to make a fascinating story about running and family. At the heart of the book, the title, the story, and the family are all connected.
Decade after decade, Spokane proves it’s a runner’s town, thanks to Bloomsday, the Centennial Trail, running clubs like the Flying Irish, and forward-thinking programs like Active 4 Youth. Some say it’s because the legacy of past high school cross-country runners investing in their community. Others say it’s the current crop of high school cross-country runners and coaches that plant the seeds for the rest of the runners. Most likely, it’s a combination of all of the above.
Hawkins readily admits that the book is not a complete encyclopedia of Spokane running. There are, “other families not mentioned in this book that were also bit by the running bug.” He also emphasizes there were lots of runners on the junior varsity squads that gave everything in practices and races, and made those on varsity earn their place. This is just one small view of the Inland Northwest running landscape. Lastly, the book succeeds on an emotional level, too. Where other running books serve as a catalog of fast times and top teams, “Varsity Seven” reveals some of the greatest successes and biggest heartbreaks that any runner could ever experience.
Because sometimes the finish line is not the end of the race. Because sometimes runners endure more than miles. Because sometimes Spokane produces some of the toughest runners in the USA.



Youth Runner Magazine (September-October 2018 Issue)

In the streets of Spokane, Washington you will likely find little hordes of athletes, young or old, running in groups. If you’re not on the trails that they traverse then you will likely catch a glimpse of them huddled on a street corner while they wait for a light to change. Sometimes they are talking to each other and other times they are silent; looking like they are on a mission. Occasionally you will see them glance at their watches checking the time and then you will notice their focus shifts off in the distance as they throw in another burst and chase down something that seems just out of reach. That little something is called respect.

Time has proven that Spokane is worthy of respect. This small town has been labeled an American Rift Valley. Just as some of the greatest runners in the world come from a small part of Kenya, called the Rift Valley, so too does Spokane continue to provide some of America’s best prep talent year in and year out. In the United State there are nearly 500,000 male and female high school distance runners comprising over 29,000 high school teams. Spokane has sent athlete to Foot Locker National Championships to 24 out of the 38 years of the event; respect doesn’t come easy for someone in Spokane. Nor does it come for those wanting to earn one of seven spots on a varsity squad. Competing at Nike Cross Nationals is a great achievement, and five of the 10 high schools in the Greater Spokane League have sent a squad to Nationals. There have been more podium appearances from this one small city than any other conference in the country. No wonder these athletes in Spokane have a competitive edge to them as they traverse the trails and streets of their town.

The reason behind Spokane’s perpetual success is chronicled in Peter Hawkins true story Varsity Seven. The book allows anyone, runner or non-runner, easy access to understanding what makes Spokane a Rift Valley of American Distance Running. But Varsity Seven is more than just a book about workouts and times, it is a story of inspiration, tragedy, and loss. Time may be the measuring piece of races, but it also works as the mile marker for life events.

The stories of the first athlete and coaches that put Spokane, Washington on the map are interwoven throughout this book. This work is a testament to the effect that an individual can have in a race as well as a team, family, and community. Finally, the sport of distance running has a book that deserves the respect that other great sports biographies have received such as The boys in the Boat, Hoop Dreams, or Friday Night Lights. You don’t have to go to Spokane to see these athletes, old and young, able-bodied or otherwise, run themselves ragged. Peter Hawkins’ book, Varsity seven, is available on Amazon and at select running stores in the Pacific Northwest.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Starr Press (January 1, 2018)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0578203324
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0578203324
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.55 pounds
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 43 ratings

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Peter Hawkins
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4.4 out of 5 stars
43 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and well-written. They appreciate the vivid storytelling and detailed descriptions of races and people. The book contains unique interviews and stories that keep readers interested.

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7 customers mention "Readability"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read.

"For those who have any amount of passion for running, this is a wonderful read...." Read more

"...I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and found myself tearing up several times; not just at the sad parts but also when reading about victories of times..." Read more

"...There were few pictures in the book. Otherwise interesting reading" Read more

"I enjoyed reading this book. I knew many of the people in this book, or at least recognized the name...." Read more

5 customers mention "Story quality"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the stories in the book engaging and inspiring. They appreciate the author's masterful storytelling and vivid presentation of the legends who shaped distance running.

"...This book contains multiple stories of legends who have helped shape the sport of distance running...." Read more

"...Peter weaves a masterful story, showing how so many seemingly unconnected people and events ARE truly connected, and connected by the positive role..." Read more

"...The book contains unique interviews and special stories featuring Gerry Lindgren, Rick Riley, Don Kardong, Pat Tyson and Jon Knight...." Read more

"...up some running last year, I was intrigued by the background and the story!..." Read more

4 customers mention "Description"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's detailed descriptions of races and people. They enjoy the author's attention to detail and unique interviews and stories. Readers are intrigued by the background and story.

"...The author puts great care and detail into conveying each one of the accounts within this book...." Read more

"...The book contains unique interviews and special stories featuring Gerry Lindgren, Rick Riley, Don Kardong, Pat Tyson and Jon Knight...." Read more

"As I picked up some running last year, I was intrigued by the background and the story!..." Read more

"I loved the descriptions of the races and the people. I enjoyed the book very much." Read more

The Virtues of Competitive Distance Running Championed by a Champion
5 out of 5 stars
The Virtues of Competitive Distance Running Championed by a Champion
Peter Hawkins has accomplished something truly remarkable in his book, Varsity Seven. In addition to chronicling a fascinating history of competitive distance running in Spokane, Washington, he has simultaneously pinpointed the virtues of a sport that can be embraced by virtually anyone, anywhere. As a former Spokane distance runner myself, I am gratified to see these stories in print, and am confident it will positively touch the lives of all who read them.With a skillful pen, Hawkins demonstrates that distance running is much bigger than sport; it is also an ideal schoolmaster in its implicit promotion of leadership, character, and life skills. Hawkins book is an emotive work that pulls on your heartstrings as it illuminates the triumphs of distance running without neglecting the trials and tragedies that accompany one's journey to the top of one's personal and athletic potential.This work has inspired me further to make the most out of my own life by continually pushing my own limits athletically, personally, and professionally. If you live in the Inland Northwest, or are a runner, coach, educator, or parent, you will find this book an enlightening and powerful "must" read.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2019
    For those who have any amount of passion for running, this is a wonderful read. This book contains multiple stories of legends who have helped shape the sport of distance running. The author puts great care and detail into conveying each one of the accounts within this book. Hawkins conveys the stories so vividly that I felt as if they were happening right before my eyes. Hawkins also writes about the lives of his siblings and how running has shaped each one of their lives. Being a runner myself, I found myself relating to many of the same experiences. Even if you’re not a runner but enjoy reading about the passion that drives people to do what they love, this is a book for you.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2018
    More than just a book about running, this book treats running as a metaphor for life, and the triumphs and struggles we all face as we come to terms with our potential, as well as our limits. It is a book about the power of belief — in ourselves, in others, and a greater good.

    This book is also about the power of positive role models in our lives. Peter weaves a masterful story, showing how so many seemingly unconnected people and events ARE truly connected, and connected by the positive role models and their effects on multitudes of lives.

    I was one of the fortunate ones that Peter decided to interview and write about in this book. What impressed me most about Peter’s interview was the depth of the research he did. He brought up several things in my life that I had completely forgotten about; doubtless he did the same for others he interviewed.

    I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and found myself tearing up several times; not just at the sad parts but also when reading about victories of times past. It made me feel extremely fortunate to have known so many of the amazing folks in this story.
    4 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2018
    Dynasties in any sport come and go, but the Hawkins family holds a special place in Spokane high school running lore. The families’ journey is chronicled in Peter Hawkins book, Varsity Seven, and it shines a spotlight on all of the magic of Spokane’s high school cross country runners. Admittedly, the Varsity Seven story rolls along with a Spokane bias,
    however, Peter invested a wealthy portion of the book to emphasize the trailblazers and the most iconic Eastern Washington runners who paved the way for high school cross country. The book contains unique interviews and special stories featuring Gerry Lindgren, Rick Riley, Don Kardong, Pat Tyson and Jon Knight.

    Lastly, the book succeeds on an emotional level too. Where other running books serve as a catalog of fast times and top teams, Varsity Seven reveals some of the greatest successes and biggest heartbreaks that any runner could ever experience. Because sometimes the finish line is not the end of the race. Because sometimes runners endure more than miles. Because Spokane produces some of the toughest runners in the USA.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2018
    We were so disappointed with the pictures. They had all of these pictures on line--and you thought they were going to be in the book. There were few pictures in the book. Otherwise interesting reading
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2018
    I enjoyed reading this book. I knew many of the people in this book, or at least recognized the name. It shows how much influence siblings have on each other. It also confirms how much of a role model teachers, coaches and all adults can have on children and youth. The experiences of the runners in this book proves disappointments do not have to keep you from trying again and again.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2018
    As I picked up some running last year, I was intrigued by the background and the story! Touching and deep, the author manages to capture our imagination even if running isn't your passion. Maybe it will soon be your passion!

    Highly Recommend!
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2019
    I loved it. I envy those young runners with their inspiring stories. I am trying to get my grandkids into running for the very reasons outlined in this wonderful story. Nice work Mr. Hawkins!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2021
    A great inside look at the cross country experience. Many races within one race and more winners than losers. I purchased a book for our local coach.
    One person found this helpful
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