XC 2009: Western US
WA, OR, CA, ID, UT, NV, AZ, NM, CO, WY, MT, ND, SD, KS, NB, OK, TX, IA, MO, IL, IA, WI, MN
(Follow the links for more in-depth coverage)
By: Aron Taylor & Jasen Parks, Western US National Editors
Kansas
Buhler Invitational (KS): Adam Porter of McPherson runs a blistering 15:18 5K, winnign by over a minute. Recently ran a 15:55 at the J.K. Gold Classic.
Heartland Classic (KS): Andrew Stevens of Shawnee Mission South wins with a impressive 15:31 5K narrowly defeating Frank Canady out of Iowa City West who finished runnerup in 15:36. Meet Results
Witchita Southeast Invitational (KS): Avery Clifton breezes to US#1 4K in 13:48 as Kaelyn Balch finished second with a US#2 14:01 4K over a legit course. Read the Meet Story Meet Results
Washington
Highlander Invitational (WA): US#16 Adam Thorne runs a blistering 12:25 2.5 mile! Over a hilly, very difficult course the Ferris senior set the pace impressively. Course is said to be more difficult than Vanny. Running individual flights by grade class, just in the senior race they placed 5 in the top 20. The #2 and #3 runners placed in seperate class races. US#15 Kamiakin had a solid second despite 4 of 7 down with severe flu. Coach Rexus says, "We will be ready for Sunfair". US#15 Shadle Park broke through to another level, in a meet with 26 teams they placed 5 in the top 12! (Photo: WA Runners; Shadle Girls) Meet Page
Idaho
Farragut Super-1 Invitational (ID): US#15 Cody Helbling storms to victory in 16:29 over a brutal 5000 meter course. To put his time into perspective, former Ferris, WA standout Isaac Hawkins holds the course record at 15:59. US#11 Kinsey Gomez wins by 71 seconds with an incredible 19:35. The fast rising Northern Idaho #1 Couer d' Alene Vikings are getting better each week. The Vikings dominated with 28 points, placing 5 runners in the top 10. It would seem there is a chance that Idaho has two top 25 national cross country teams, Milesplit currently has Couer d' Alene ranked 26th in the nation. Meet Page
Texas
Cedar Park Invitational (TX): US#3 Cedar Park averaged 15:42 over 5000 meters to claim the team title with 26 points at the texas supermeet placing 6 runners in the top 11! US#10 Parker Stinson claimed the individual title with a superb 15:12 5K. (Photo: Texas Running; Parker Stinson) Meet Page
UTSA Invitational (TX): US#14 Boerne Champion dominates in the huge 28 team meet. Scoring a super low 27 points and a mind boggling 15:43 average over 5000 meters! Boerne placed all seven varsity scorers in the top 11 with all 7 sub 16 minutes for 5000 meters! with individual standout Jacob Benn's 15:11 victory the Champions will definitly move up in the national rankings. Meet Page
Oklahoma
The Edmund Dogpack Invitational (OK): OK#2 Edmunds North girls upset the OK#1 Westmoor 45-82 over the swift 3200 meter course. Placing four int he top ten with a 13 second 1-4 spread North is much improving. Meet Page
Colorado
Liberty Bell Invitational (CO): US#5 Albuquerque Academy rolls past all competition placing all five scorers in the top 25. Cherry Creek, CO senior US#12 Walter Shafer won in 15:04 over 5K. US#13 Fort Collins girls win with 48 points. US#10 Kelsey Lakowske claims victory with impressive 17:35.2 victory over 5000 meters. (photo: colorado track xc; Walter Shafer) Meet Page
Utah
Provo Bulldog Invitational (UT): US#10 American Fork wins the invitational scoring 27 points to the UT#2 Pineview 67 and UT#3 Mountain View 86. With 4 in the top 5 and 5 in the top 15, American Fork is letting the nation know they are a contendar. Meet Page
California
Mt. Carmel Invitational (CA): US#9 Torrey Pines storms to victory with 71 points dominating the 50 team meet! Rancho Bernardo junior Molly Grabill sets a new course record of 14:48 over the 2.65 mile course. US#3 Elias Geydon runs to 14:55 over the 2.95 mile course. Meet Page
Arizona
George Young Invitational (AZ):
US#3 Jessica Tonn (Sr, Xavier College Prep) (Photo by Margot Kelly) wins her 4th straight consecutive George Young title on a very hilly course on a very HOT day! Tonn and teammate Sarah Fakler (Fr), who took second, led the Xavier girls to a team victory. Article Meet Page Results and Photos
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