PRA International: Kansas City Corporate Challenge: June 2010

Monday, June 21, 2010

Volunteering [Soccer]

The men's soccer team played without enough players for substitutions yet held on until 8 seconds remained and a goal was scored by Midwest Research Institute. They played a defensive, irritating game of generally kicking the ball far down the field away from from their goal and often out-of-bounds. This successfully conserved the energy of the players but did not yield a goal.

Four PRA employees and one helpful husband endured the hot weather to serve as volunteers for the Kansas City Corporate Challenge soccer games:

husband Tom Hunter

Lynda Hunter

Walt Rutherford

Kendra Rakestraw

Casey Rutherford

Saturday, June 19, 2010

PRA Track Relay Records [all set in 2010]

We ran every track relay possible in 2010, and also earned our fastest times ever. May these times be writ for posterity:
PRA INTERNAL RECORD TIMES
800 Relay: 2:04.17 (2010 - Jamie Holmquist, Jared Buchbaum, Angela Milne, Rickey Pack)
Distance Medley Relay: 10:03.99 (2010 - Rickey Pack, Jamie Holmquist, Jeff Hinchey, Karen Barros)
Mile Relay: 4:47.88 (2010 - Denise Ryan, Jeff Wiley, Kiley Miles, Rickey Pack)
Sprint Medley Relay: 1:53.82 (2010 - Jamie Holmquist, Jeff Wiley, Angela Milne, Rickey Pack)

Friday, June 18, 2010

Track Meet Final Day [Men's Shotput / Mile / Mile Relay]

Our track season concluded yesterday with strong performances in the Men's Shotput, Mile, and the Mile Relay. Thank you, Jennifer Chambers, for coming out to support:

Rich Schiefelbein brought forth energy from the Earth and drove it into his calves before launching the shot over 35 feet in what will likely emerge as a 2nd in the division push.

David Mullins tried the twirl, the turn-and-push, and the toss of his former 3rd-baseman play in throwing shotput, earning 5th in the division.

Walt Rutherford, who is apparently a track star after placing high in every event he ran this year, focused sternly for four laps, then finally smiled after hearing that he won 2nd in the division.

Brandi Lute again carried her fancy, GPS-enabled, speed-tracking cell phone and cruised into 6th in the division for the Mile.

Casey Rutherford heard of our need and helped with little notice, honorably obtaining 2nd in the division. She longed for a Diet Vanilla Dr. Pepper (really) but stayed to support the Mile Relay. Thanks!

Mark McDonald (2nd from right), a veteran runner of half-marathons, gave the mere Mile his time and took a bow after claiming 3rd in the division.

Jeff Wiley (far right) ran a mile in a little over 6-minutes, and lifted his heavy arms into the air with a 2nd in the division showing.

Chase Coburn, a new participant, ran the Mile as part of a deal that requires me (Rickey) to play soccer today (oh, the horror). This is why we still need a volunteer for today's soccer games (5:30-8:45 PM at Stump Park [47th and Woodland, Shawnee, KS]). We are going to lose company points unless we find a volunteer so please let Jamie and me know if you, a friend, or a family member can help us. [UPDATE] Jamie found Kendra Rakestraw in the final minutes to join Lynda Hunter, husband Tom Hunter, Walt Rutherford, and Casey Rutherfood in the fulfillment of our volunteering duties.

Rickey Pack ran the Mile in a little over 6-minutes, taking 6th in the division because of all the freaks in my age group.

Versatile athlete, Kiley Miles, deliberated with her coach (that's me) and friend, Denise Ryan, before laboring for four laps to earn 8th in the division despite knee issues and the Mile Relay that occurred soon after her Mile race. This picture was taken soon after the mile and is evidence of the effort she expended and my photographic expertise (be nice).

Inspired by Kiley's courage, the Mile Relay team of Denise Ryan, Jeff Wiley, Kiley Miles, and Rickey Pack, ran in that order for a 4th in the division champion's finish. We were very happy at the end of this relay for there were many unknowns going into it. We were fast! We were strong! We were nauseous!

Elizabeth Growney missed the check-in deadline by a mere minute and thus, was unable to run.

Overall, we placed 6th in our division, which was a significant improvement over our encouraging 9th ranking last year, and a shocking leap from the 14th ranking of 2008. We ran this year without Joya He, Tonya Griffith and Jane Sandmeyer, who have been consistent performers in the past. They will hopefully return to our fold next year.

We had so many new runners this year, and so many strong runs, that many will surely explore the identity of "PRA International" just as some of us have resolved the acronym that is "VML", a company that overtook us for 5th place yesterday. Many in this area care about the Kansas City Corporate Challenge and we represented our company well.

Thank you for contributing towards a successful year!

Rickey Pack
Analysis Programmer (SAS Programmer)

PRA International

Monday, June 14, 2010

Men's Basketball

The men's basketball team performed better than they ever have, earning 4th in the division and finishing with a winning record of 3-2. Depicted, from left, Andy Hulme, Rickey Pack, Paul Burmenko, Chase Coburn, Jeremy Myers.

Women's Basketball

The women's basketball team fought without a number of players, including team captain Kiley Miles, and still emerged with a strong 4th-in-the division finish, probably making this the best year for the combined men's and women's basketball teams. Depicted, from left, are Jamie Holmquist, Jennifer Heck, Cheryl Hobbs, Denise Ryan.

Track - Sprint Medley Relay / Distance Medley Relay

Jeff Hinchey, Rickey Pack, Karen Barros, Jamie Holmquist
- PRA's 2010 Distance Medley Relay Team -

Not yet depicted are the Sprint Medley Team members of Jamie Holmquist, Jeff Wiley, Angela Milne, and Rickey Pack, who earned a silver medal by earning 2nd in the division!