XC 11/3: Big State meet and Regional action weekend

National XC Highlights 2012
Aaron Rich

2012 Cross Country Highlights

11/3/12 Weekend

 

PIAA State XC Championships, PA

Course Record Central as Russell and Smith dominated! (Photos by Don Rich)

Pennsbury was flat-out dominate in the girls AAA race. (Photo by Don Rich)

Coverage

Highlights

Three races were decided by 3 points or less - Pennsbury three-peats - Cardinal O'Hara 2nd on a tie-breaker for the 2nd year-in-a-row - Two course records in the hills of Hershey Parview

  • Class A Girls: It was the Kennedy Weisner show from the gun as the Elk County Catholic junior led her team to a runner-up spot with her 18:29 - the second fastest time on the day.  Elk Lake's Jenny Vaneeten led her team to the title with a 4th place 19:50.

  • Class AA Girls: Individual favorite Regan Rome of Dallas overcame a side-stitch at 2 miles that cause her to drop the ground, to lead her team to a narrow 3-point loss to Palmyra. Sophomores Maria Tukis and Miranda Salvo took point for team champs with their 9th and 10th place finishes. Senior Adair Gennocro of Saint Mary's captured the title with her 19:00.

  • Girls AAA Girls: In remarkable fashion, the Pennsbury girls used stunning 27-second spread behind an 8th place 18:50 by senior Sara Sargent to capture their 3rd straight Class AAA team title. In the process they topped PA# 1 and US#4 Unionville 43-86. Their 18:58 team average also broke their own record for the venue by 12 seconds. Unionville junior Courtney Smith set a venue record by going 18:16 for the win.

  • Class A Boys: Favored Northeast Bradford used their usual 1-2 of Sam WIlliams and Curt Jewett to capture valuable 3rd and 4th place finishes as they tallied just 96 points. Holy Cross senior Rico Galassi reversed his district meet place by holding off Elk Lake's Luke Jones by a second 15:59-16:00. Elk Lake would take the runner-up spot.

  • Class AA Boys: One of the three-point team wins went to Pottsgrove, 96-99 over Grove City, whose top guy, Daniel Jaskowak, finished 3rd (1 team point), behind this year's breakout runner, Vinny Todaro of Big Spring (16:00) and defending AA champion Brendan Shearn (16:04) of North Schuylkill.

  • Class AAA Boys: They had to go to video to determine this one. And in almost unbelievable fashion, 2010 runner-up Cardinal O'Hara would finish 2nd for the 2nd year in a row on a 6th man tiebreaker to West Chester Henderson. The Warriors were led by a course record win from junior Tony Russell,  who powered to a 15:45.

 

Michigan State XC Championships (LP), MI

Erin Finn is back on the right course and looking very fit. (Photo by Pat Davey, runmichigan.com)

Seaholm girls upset Grosse Pointe South and Saline in D1 action. (Photo by Pat Davey, runmichigan.com)

Coverage

Highlights

  • D1 Girls: US#7 West Bloomfield sr Erin Finn started pulling away early in the second mile and defended her 2011 title with a big 17:07.9 XC PR (fastest of the day), topping Grosse Pointe South sr Hannah Meier 17:34.5.  Meier’s team also had a tough runner-up finish in a terrific 3-way battle as fast-rising Birmingham Seaholm (18:19.4 avg.) won its first-ever title with 69 points, to 88 for defending champ GPS and 101 for Saline.
  • D2 Girls: US#4 Grand Rapids Christian sr Julia Bos also powered away before the halfway point and repeated as champ with a 17:20.4, four ticks better than last year and almost 30 seconds up on Cedar Springs soph Kenzie Weiler’s 17:49.1. D2#1 Forest Hills Eastern scored five in the top 30 for 93 points (18:52.8 avg.) and its first-ever crown, 57 up on #2 Spring Lake (150).
  • D1 Boys: D1#1 Highland-Milford won its second straight title (4th in 10 years) in overwhelming fashion, scoring 83 points (15:34.5 avg.) to rout the field and also getting an individual title from jr. Brian Kettle (15:07.3).  Kettle outkicked Lake Orion sr TJ Carey (15:09.4) and Waterford Mott sr Nathan Burnand (15:14.8) in the last 300.  Burnand led Mott to the runner-up spot (167 points).
  • D2 Boys: Cedar Springs sr Connor Mora pulled away in the final half and finished with a blistering kick for a best-of-day 15:04.8, topping Mason sr Tanner Hinkle (15:09.8).  D2#1 St. Clair claimed its first-ever title with 114 points, followed by Linden’s 128 and St. Joseph’s 153.
  • D4 Girls: Two-time defending champ Breckenridge jr Kirsten Olling made it a threepeat, triumphing in 17:59.6, more than 30 seconds up on Holly Bullough of Traverse City St. Francis (18:31.7).  D4#5 Homer pulls off a moderate upset with 118 points to 142 for #2 Bear Lake and 157 for #1 Harbor Springs.
  • D3 Girls: D3#2 Jackson Lumen Christi makes it a sweep with a narrow win over #1 Grandville-Calvin Christian, 167-171.  Macomb Lutheran North soph Gina Patterson, 6th last year, runs 17:43.4 to top 2011 runner-up Raquel Serna of St. Louis (17:59.8).
  • D3 Boys:  D3#4 Jackson Lumen Christi scored 129 to win a tight 3-way battle with #1 Marlette (137) and #2 and 2-time defending champ Grandville-Calvin Christian (147).  Erie Mason senior Nick Raymond prevailed by 17 seconds individually, with a stunning D3 meet record 15:05.1.
  • D4 Boys: Concord soph Jesse Hersha blazed an impressive 15:32.3, winning by more than 20 seconds, to lead his team to its 3rd title in 4 years.  The state D3#1 favorites rolled with 61 points, 39 up on #5 Evart (100).  Hersha is also Concord's third individual champ in four years, following Spencer Nousain (2011) and Kyle Stacks (2009).

 

Illinois State XC Championships, IL

Coverage

Highlights

  • 3A Boys: Jack Keelan (St. Ignatius) won the individual title with a quick time of 14:05.  Quentin Shaffer (Mt. Prospect) was 2nd with a time of 14:14.  York won the team crown over O'Fallon by a score of 82 to 117.  York recorded a split of 44 seconds with an average of 14:46.20.  O'Fallon turned in an impressive 14:45.80 average.
  • 3A Girls: Madeline Perez (Glenbard West) won the individual crown with a quick 3-mile clocking over 16:02.  Emma Fisher (York) was 2nd with a time of 16:15, Courtney Ackerman (New Trier) was 3rd with a time of 16:27 and Kaylee Flanagan (Lake Park) was 4th with a time of 16:39.  Naperville North won the team title with 113 points.
  • 2A Boys: John Wold (Glenbard South) won the individual title with a time of 14:16.  Alex Baker was the runner-up with a time of 14:21.  Jones won the team crown with a score of 85.  
  • 2A Girls: Victoria Clinton (Kaneland) won the race with a time of 16:56.  Yorkville won the team title with 66 points.  
  • 1A Boys: Grant Nykaza (Beecher) won the individual title by 18 seconds with a clocking of 14:22.  St. Thomas More won the team title with 82 points.  
  • 1A Girls: Ivy Handley (St. Theresa) won individually with a time of 17:24.  St. Theresa took the team crown as well with a score of 41 points.  

 

Arizona State XC Championships, AZ

Montoya and Fakler were fastest of the day in AZ. (Photos by Margot Kelly)

Coverage

Highlights

  • Division 1 Champs
    • Bernie Montoya (Cibola) won the boys race with a quick 15:14 clocking over the 5k layout.  Desert Vista won the team title with 101 points.
    • Sarah Fakler (Xavier College Prep) won the girls race with a time of 18:02, winning by nearly 50 seconds!  Xavier College Prep won the team race with 55 points over Mountain View Mesa with 75 points.
  • Division 3 Champs
    • Rio Rico was impressive out of this division, winning the boys team title with 29 points and a total team time 3 minutes faster than Desert Vista.  Jake Wynn (Saguaro) won the boys race with a time of 15:58.
    • Diana Garcia (Tempe) won the girls race with a time of 18:39.  
  • Division 2 Champs
    • Andy Trouard (Salpointe Catholic) won the boys race with a time of 16:01.
    • Tatiana Gillick (Flagstaff) won the girls race with a time of 18:55.

 

Northern Region XC Championships, VA

US#4 Sean McGorty continues his domination and fast times this season. (Photo by Steve Pham)

US#12 Sophie Chase continues to impress with her fast times. (Photo by Steve Pham)

US#13 Chantilly celebrates their regional win. (Photo by Steve Pham)

Coverage

Highlights

  • US#4 Sean McGorty (Chantilly) dominated, winning the boys race with a time of 14:19.  Nick Tuck (Lake Braddock) was 2nd with a time of 15:03.  US#13 Chantilly also dominated behind Sean, winning the team race with 39 points over Oakton, with 85 points.  Chantilly also boasted a team average of 15:21, no doubt bouyed by McGorty's blazing fast winning time.
  • In the girls race US#12 Sophie Chase (Lake Braddock) won with a fast 16:42 clocking over Caroline Alcorta (West Springfield), in 16:58.  Lake Braddock won the team title with 38 points over Oakton, 92 points, and had a 17:36 team average.  

 

Rhode Island State XC Championships, RI

Emma McMillan leading the charge over the field. (Photo by icemanfromri)

Coverage

  • Meet Recap article by Steve Mazzone

Highlights

  • In the boys championship race Trevor Crawley (Cumberland) won big with a time of 15:39.47.  Bryce Kelley (Chariho) was 2nd in 16:01.07.  Bishop Hendricken won the team crown with 44 points over La Salle Academy with 64 points.
  • In the girls championship race frosh Emma McMillan (Barrington) won with a time of 18:22.99.  Sheridan Wilbur (La Salle) was 2nd with a time of 18:31.44.  Barrington also won the team crown with a score of 31 points over La Salle Academy with 71 points.

 

MSHSAA State XC Championships, MO

Class 4 state champs and fastest of the day, Simon Belete and Hannah Long (Photos courtesy of Paul Everett)

Coverage

Highlights

  • Class 4: Simon Belete (Blue Springs) won the boys race with the fastest time of the day, a time of 15:48.  Hannah Long (Eureka) won the girls race with the fastest time of the day, a 18:06 clocking.  
  • Class 3: Amos Bartlesmeyer (MICDC) won the boys race with a time of 16:24.  Taylor Werner (Ste. Genevieve) won the girls race with a quick time of 18:19.  
  • Class 2: Deko Ricketts (Barstow) won the boys race with a time of 17:02.  Kaitlyn Fischer (Herculaneum) won the girls race with a time of 18:40.  
  • Class 1: Tyler Rush (Linn) won on the boys side with a time of 16:33 and Lexi McNiel won the girls race with a time of 20:27.  

 

WIAA State XC Championships, WA

Amy-Eloise Neale all by herself. 

Coverage

Highlights

  • 4A Boys: Andrew Gardner (Mead) won the individual race with the fastest time of the day, a swift 15:02.3 clocking.  Wolfgang Beck (Gig Harbor) finished 2nd with a time of 15:16.3.  Central Valley won the team title over Eisenhower and Gig Harbor.  
  • 4A Girls: Alexa Efraimson (Camas) won the title with a time of 17:34.2.  Jordan McPhee (Mt. Ranier), last years champ and FL Finalist, finished 2nd with a time of 18:10.9.  Camas won the team crown as well.
  • 3A Boys: Joe Hardy (Seattle Prep) won the race with a time of 15:18.4.  North Central won the team crown with Kamiakin finishing 2nd.  
  • 3A Girls: Amy-Eloise Neale (Glacier Peak) won her 3rd title in 4 years, avenging her runner-up finish in 2012, with a record-breaking time of 17:03.6.  Katie Knight (North Central) was 2nd with a time of 17:44.7.  Glacier Peak won the team title over Kamiakin.  

 

NCHSAA State XC Championships, NC

Bakri Abushouk on his way to a big win. (Photo by Jeff Sides)

Coverage

Highlights

  • Boys 4A: Broughton boys win 4A title 41-111 over Cary (Bakri Abushouk course record 15:13.57 (old record 15:27).  Broughton goes 15:28, 15:57, 15:59, 16:03, 16:13 (15:58 average on a course that runs slower than WakeMed or McAlpine), will be going to NXN SE

  • Girls 4A: Green Hope wins 4th straight 4A title, 83-101 over Providence (who will be very good next year).  Megan Sullivan (Broughton) 17:48.03 to win 4A girls, Pegah Kamrani (East Chapel Hill) second in 17:51, Maura McDonnell (Green Hope) 17:56 (only three to break 18 all day)

  • Girls 3A: Cardinal Gibbons girls win 3A title 31-74 over Chapel Hill.  Gibbons goes 18:02, 18:07, 18:47, 19:19, 19:30 (18:45 team average), will be going to NXN SE

  • Boys 3A: Cardinal Gibbons boys upset favored Chapel Hill for 3A title, averaging 16:22.  Tanis Baldwin (East Henderson SOPHOMORE) 15:28.30, 2nd fastest of the day and 3rd-fastest ever on course

  • Girls 2A: Carrboro girls win 4th straight 2A championship 30-96 over Cuthbertson, not going to postseason.  Carrboro goes 18:42, 18:42, 18:47, 19:05, 20:02

 

MSHSL State XC Championships, MN

The Stillwater machine getting out well. (Photo by Patrick Maurer)

Maria Hauger gets class and all-time record enroute to 4th straight state title! (Photo by Patrick Maurer)

Coverage

Highlights

  • Stillwater dominated the Class AA race with 46 points and a team average of 15:54.3.  Edina was 2nd with 80 points and Wayzata was 3rd with 90 points.  Wayde Hall won individually to lead Stillwater with a time of 15:21 over Obsa Ali (Richfield), 15:25.3.  
  • History was made in the girls Class AA race as Maria Hauger (Shakopee) became the first athlete to win 4 straight titles, and she won in dominating fashion.  Maria led from the gun and won with a time of 13:42.0 for 4k, an all-time state meet course record and AA record.  Anna French led Wayzata with her impressive 2nd place showing with a time of 13:57.6.  Wayzata dominated the team race, winning with 50 points and an impressive 14:39.7 average.  Eagan was 2nd with 93 points.   

 

OSAA State XC Championships, OR

Coverage

 

Texas Region 2-5A Championships, TX

(Photo courtesy of Rhonda Ellis)

Highlights

  • Karis Jochen sets all-time texas time of 16:45.77 in a tight race that saw Katie Jensen record a TX#2 time of 16:51.93 and Sandi Raines record a TX#4 time of 16:56.35.  The old record was 16:52 by Chelsey Sveinsson, set at Foot Locker South.  The Woodlands girls won a very tight battle in the team race with 51 points and an 18:01.45 average.  Kingwood was 2nd with 58 points and an 18:04.12 average.  College Park was 3rd with 65 points and an 18:04.59 average.  
  • Brigham Hedges won the boys race with a time of 14:58.  In team action The Woodlands dominated with 35 points and an average of 15:20.60.  College Park was 2nd with 77 points and an average of 15:38.04.  Plano West was 3rd with 111 points and an average of 15:49.16.

 

Trinity League Finals, CA

Highlights

  • In boys varsity action Myles Smith (St. John Bosco) won in dominating fashion with a time of 14:57.1.  Teammate Ruben Solorza was 2nd in 15:29.9.  St. John Bosco won the team crown as well with a score of 28 points.  
  • In the girls varsity race Ashley Geisler (Junipero Serra) won overall with a time of 18:04.6.  Teammate Colby Lindholm was 2nd with a time of 18:22.1.  Junipero Serra won the team title with 27 points over Santa Margarita with 41 points.

 

OHSAA State XC Championships, OH

Wharton and Crow were tops in OH.

Coverage

Highlights

  • The D1 individual race was won by Tippecanoe Senior Sam Wharton in a new D1 and National Trails Raceway course record 15:09.95.  Wharton was 2nd in 2011 to Reynoldsburg’s Tsehaye Hiluff who held the record of 15:21.52.  In the race, Wharton pushed the pace early, leading from start to finish.  2nd place went to Westerville North’s Senior Jacob Dumford who also broke the 2011 winning time.  Dumford ran 15:17.95 finishing just ahead of Walsh Jesuit SeniorBrian Brennan. (15:22.63) Chardon Junior Nick Elswich was 4th in 15:24.01 just ahead of Westerville North’s number two runner, Senior, Kent Ford who ran 15:29.11.
  • The D1 team race was dominated by St. Xavier, scoring 71 points to 2nd place Masons 123 and 3rd place St. Ignatius’ 139.  Xavier went 6, 14, 15, 17 and 19, led by Senior Jake Grabowski who was 9th in the overall race in a time of 15:38.76.  All of Xavier’s 5 runners were under 16:00.  The number two runner was Senior Michael Momper. (15:50.03) 22nd/14th.  Number three was Junior Michael Hall who ran 15:52.68. 24th/15th. Senior Alex Kuvin was the #4 runner finishing 30th/17th in a time of 15:54.68.  The number five runner was Junior Evan Stifel. 32nd/19th (15:56.59)
  • In the D1 girl’s race, it didn’t take long for the new National Trails course record set by Mary Kate Vaughn in the D2 race to be broken.  Lebanon Junior,Jacquelyn Crow, ran 17:39.31.  Crow and runner-up, Senior Janelle Coe of Sylvania Northview put on a furious finish in the last 200 yards passing Sophomore Annie Heffernan of Cin. St. Ursula, who had led the race until the finish.  Coe finished in 17:40.88 and Heffernan finished in 17:45.07.  The 4thand 5th place finishers were also under 18:00.  Mason Senior, Lauren Wood ran 4th in 17:52.35 and Sycamore Senior, Samantha Siler ran 17:56.57.
  • In the D1 team competition, the Mason girls were dominant, scoring just 42 points to runner-up Centerville’s 142 and 3rd place Beavercreek’s 147.  TheMason girl’s ran 2, 6, 8, 12 and 14.  The team was led by the overall #4 finisher, Senior Lauren Wood.  (17:52.35) The number two girl was Freshman Megan Murphy 13th/6th (18:17.34) Mason’s # 3 runner was Senior Tori Martin. 17th/8th (18:30.57) The 4th and 5th girls were Senior Emily Schlimm 23rd/12th(18:40.74) and Freshman Leah Ford 26th/14th (18:41.75)

 

SCHSL State XC Championships, SC

Coverage

Highlights

  • Lexington boys win their 4th straight state AAAA title with 63 points.  Tony Morales and Zach Langston went 1-2 for the team with times of 15:25.28 to 15:35.42. 

 

TSSAA State XC Championships, TN

Templeton leading the pack up a slight hill. (Photo by Coach TJP)

Coverage

Highlights

  • Boys AAA: Aaron Templeton (Hardin Valley Academy) won the boys race with a time of 15:52.67.  Quintin McKinnish (Morristown West) was 2nd with a time of 15:55.31 and Brock Baker (Oakland) was 3rd in 16:00.33.  Brentwood won over Daniel Boone in the team race by a score of 52 to 61.  
  • Girls AAA: Nicole Gardner (Siegel) won the race with a time of 18:44.13.  Ravenwood won the team crown with a point total of 90.  

 

Kentucky Regional Championships, KY

Coverage

Highlights

  • Region 3A
    • Jacob Thomson (Holy Cross) won his regional meet easily with a time of 15:40.40.