The "Run-Down": Hudson's Bay Run-A-Ree
Sometimes it is nice to have few expectations going into a Cross Country meet. Since I was asked to step in as the new Panther XC coach only a dozen days before the season started, the season has definitely got off to a slow start. So with that in mind, along with our first meet (the Hudson's Bay Run-A-Ree) not having any bearing on league standings, my expectations and attitude were very low key. So any big Personal Records (PR's) or huge performances were just pleasant surprises. So here they are...
The boys' side of the Panther squad racked up some nice PR's, which is always a great way to start the season. Senior Zac Shepp looked smooth all the way through and squeezed out a 4 second PR with 23:01. Junior Noah Collins cracked the 19:00 barrier for the first time, posting a 20 second PR running 18:52. Sophomore Josh Banks had some pre-race doubts about "PR"ing, in spite of showing new strength and competitiveness in recent workouts. As predicted by the coaching staff, Josh also posted a significant PR of 28 seconds, dropping his time down to 19:10, 2:49 faster than last year! The largest PR of the day went to Junior Danny Riat, someone who has been recently thinking and acting like a full time serious runner. Danny's time of 20:42 not only led the Future Varsity team, but was a 1:07 lifetime PR, and an inconceivable 7:52 faster than last year at this race! Oh, did I mention that Senior Dylan Croeni had a pretty good race too?
To describe Dylan's performance as a pleasant surprise is an understatement. To mention that he broke the course record is really an injustice. Dylan's new PR (and leading the whole state of Washington) of 15:41 flat out obliterated the course record by 13 seconds! His biggest challenge during the race was not his competition (which included 2nd place finisher and close friend Nate Starr of Mark Morris) but rather negotiating the course when he found himself in unfamiliar territory about the midway point of the race... in the lead. Yep, Dylan had a pretty good day!
Here are some more numbers on the boys' side of things: An overall solid performance by the Varsity Boys gave us 9th of 17 complete teams. This was a pleasant surprise as we snuck past a handful of 3A and 4A teams in the process. Our team time average of top 5 runners was 17:53 (our average at state last year was 17:47). In our "Sophomore vs. the World" challenge, the Sophomore fell shy by just over a minute as the Frosh, Juniors and Seniors won round won 74:56 to 75:59. Other Sophomores Sean Eustis and Isaac Stinchfield just missed PR's by 6 and 12 seconds respectively to help solidify the team's 9th place finish.
The lady Panthers were scattered thin due to our late start and missing several key performers waiting to get their 10th practice in before any racing. Only entering three gals at each level, here is how they did: Junior Kendall Utter maintains her top ranking on the Varsity team by cruising through the course in 22:15. Sophomore Sydney Niemi paced Freshman Kelsey Lagerquist in her debut XC race for 4800 meters. But with the finish line in sight, Kelsey's exceptional 200 meter speed was no match for anyone around. The two finished in 26:50 and 27:02. Sophomore Kaitlyn Johnson led our three Future Varsity gals with a 3500 Meter time of 19:12, nearly 2 minutes faster than last year! Twin Kari was a few seconds behind at 19:21 (over 1 minute faster than last year), with newcomer Senior Chloe Kilgore right on her heels at 19:26.
Next week, both teams will add varsity runners and be very close to full force as we travel to Bush Park in Salem for 20 +/- team Invitational. This event will prove to be another opportunity for our Panther XC runners to post great times.
Coach Terry L. Howard
Here are the line scores:
|
Varsity Boys |
|
Mile 1 |
Mile 2 |
5000 M |
|
|
Dylan |
1st |
5:00 |
10:10 |
15:41 |
|
|
Sean |
17th |
5:10 |
10:51 |
17:05 |
|
|
Isaac |
61st |
5:40 |
11:53 |
18:40 |
|
|
Noah |
64th |
5:45 |
11:59 |
18:52 |
|
|
Josh |
68th |
5:50 |
12:13 |
19:10 |
|
|
Mac |
91th |
6:07 |
12:55 |
20:02 |
|
|
Nick |
96th |
6:07 |
12:55 |
20:21 |
|
|
of 116 |
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||||
|
Future Varsity Boys |
|
|
|
||
|
Danny |
37th |
6:33 |
13:25 |
20:42 |
|
|
Darian |
41st |
6:33 |
13:25 |
21:04 |
|
|
Michael |
49th |
6:33 |
13:48 |
21:25 |
|
|
Drew |
53rd |
6:40 |
14:08 |
21:35 |
|
|
Zac |
70th |
6:53 |
14:33 |
23:01 |
|
|
|
of 83 |
|
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|
|
Varsity Girls |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kendall |
5:02 |
6:37 |
14:04 |
22:15 |
|
|
Kelsey |
60th? |
7:52 |
17:07 |
26:50 |
|
|
Sydney |
62nd |
7:52 |
17:07 |
27:02 |
|
|
|
of 91 |
|
|
|
|
|
Future Varsity Girls |
|
|
|
3500 M |
|
|
Kaitlyn |
50th |
9:04 |
24:11 |
||
|
Kari |
52nd |
9:04 |
|
24:16 |
|
|
Chloe |
55th |
9:04 |
24:48 |
|
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of 72 |
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