Chapel Hill is headed back to Nike Team Nationals for the 2nd year in a row. This weekend, the boys from CH will be racing against the best teams in the country, and a national champion will be chosen.
Last year's team had some pretty high expectations as they traveled to Portland, OR and Nike headquarters. They were led by one of the most talented runners in the country in Jack Bolas. Behind him were two strong runners who were likely to be up in the front pack as well. However, the 4-7 runners weren't quite as strong.
This year's team is a bit more balanced than last. New arrival to Chapel Hill, sophomore Taylor Gilland, looks to lead the team and could very well earn a top 10 performance based on his 4A state champs race, in which he won. Behind him are a few athletes who participated at last year's NTN race, Jack Marhsall, Miles Rampel, Peter Anderson, Taylor Muir, and Kent Pecora. The majority of thsese guys have made huge jumps this year, which has catapulted this team back to the top of the SE Regional rankings. They are currently ranked #2 in the Southeast.
I asked Coach Ron Olsen if this was a team goal way back in August.
He said, "I wasn't even thinking that way in August. I knew we'd have a good season, but Portland wasn't on the horizon. I was even surprised a bit by the opening SE rankings. The Maymont Invitatinal (VA) wanted our girls to come up (they'd pay for hotel room for the girls), but if the boys came, they'd have to pay their own. I had to beg/promise that the guys belonged in the Invitational section. I told the meet director we'd be no worst than in the middle of the race (remember, this was lat June when he and I talked). He finally gave in, even though I think he felt I was conning him. They the guys won the race up there and the girls were 4th. That's when the kids and I began to think we'd have a shot – which we almost blew at Wendy's. The back to back was hard on the kids. The courses were soooo different, and the quality was very high at both races. We were very lucky to win that one – that's when I wondered if we'd manage to hold on to the #2 spot."
We'll they did hold on. They rested a bit at the Tanglewood/4-Runner's Only Invitational, as the top 7 helped pace some of the JV guys. Then at states they raced well ahead of the competition, and it didn't look like they would lose their number #2 spot. At states Taylor won with an extremely impressive time of 15:38, only slower than Foot Locker National finalist, Jack Bolas (Chapel Hill), Sandy Roberts (Broughton), and Matt Debole (Mount Tabor). Then Miles, Jack, and Kent came in together in 11th, 12th, and 13th, with Peter not far behind in 18th. That's a very strong pack, which they will need in Portland.
I talked to Coach Olsen a couple of Sunday's ago right after they received their invitation to NTN. He said the guys were very excited. I asked him about their reactions as well as his.
"The kids were/are excited. Kent was yelling on the phone like crazy. They were all pretty anxious waiting to hear, and were very happy to continue their season a bit longer. I was surprised, since I wasn't sure what the committee would do. And, with a group who might not have any real idea of who or what a team might be, you just never know – especially being the #2 team – Parkview, Brentsville, Oakton all had good end of season results like we had. I thought it was a close deal for us to go."
One thing that the majority of this year's team has that last year's team didn't, is familiarity. Flying across country, getting free stuff, and being treated by Nike can be a pretty overwhelming experience.
"The biggest thing is familiarity. They know the schedule (it hasn't changed much from last year), they know what happens when, they EXPECT the mud, and although the free stuff is great, it won't exactly be like the Christmas morning effect as it was last year. It's just the familiarity of everything that will make this more comfortable for them. We'll see if it translates into better results!!"
The experience these kids will have is an amazing one for sure. As Coach Olsen said, "It's once in a lifetime. Ok, I guess not." But it is, this is an experience these kids will never forget, even if it is the 2nd time around for some.
"It is though unique, even if you've been through it before. The kids are treated like royalty, and given that it's XC, that is a rarity. The whole weekend is VERY scheduled to keep the down time to a minimum. The folks at Nike/NSSF go out of their way to center things on the kids, most everything is done at Nike HQ, so there's a lot to see and do there as well. It's busy – when the kids get back, they are dog tired from the whole experience – it's a good tired!"
How fitting that Chapel Hill's boys cross country team will be setting out on an adventure across the country. This has to give hope to other teams in North Carolina when one of our very own can qualify and get to experience all of this. They will be headed out of Raleigh on Thursday morning and get back Sunday night.
If I may speak for all other coaches in North Caolina, athletes, parents, and fans, "Good luck boys, and no matter the outcome, your season has been a success. You will represent NC well and the entire state is supporting you."
Chapel Hill boys running at Nike Team National:
Sr., Miles Rampel
Sr., Kent Pecora
Sr., Taylor Muir
Jr., Jack Marshall
So., Taylor Gilland
Fr., Wes Sutter
alt. Taylor Dillon