Part one of the 2012 cross country season came to a rousing conclusion last Saturday for both Oregon and Washington as the State meets were held. There certainly was much to revel in for fans in both states with some brilliant times being posted. We will also take a cursory look at a few other states, whose seasons culminated with state championships.
Washington
The conditions at Sun Willow Golf Course in Pasco were all but ideal and the runners certainly took advantage of them but no one did that better than Am-Eloise Neale, who blasted away from the start and stormed to a decisive victory over Katie Knight and she set a new record of 17:03 in the process. Given their shared history it did not seem quite right that the race did not come down to the end but that is the way it goes, when you have two brilliant athletes, for it is difficult for both to be on in the same day. Also breaking eighteen minutes in her last State race was Katie Bianchini, who ran 17:58 to place third. With Neale & Bianchini scoring big for Glacier Peak the team easily won the state title with 61 points, as Kamiakin, which was led by Meagan Beauchene ’s fourth place finish in 18:19, claimed second. Joe hardy of Seattle prep scored in the boys’ 3A race with 15:18. John Dressel of Mt. Spokane came in 2nd with 15;31, while Tanner Anderson of North Central (15:34) & Nicholas Hauger of Shadle Park was 4th (15:42).
Andrew Gardner rolled to victory in the 4A race a time of 15:02.3 giving him a safe margin of victory over Wolfgang Beck of Gig Harbor, who ran a fine 15:16. The time for the two-time Foot Locker finalist was not that far removed from the record (14:58) set by Anthony Armstrong of Kamiakin last year. Colby Gilbert of Skyview timed his closing move like the veteran senior he is to earn third in 15:21 and Sumner Good win of Lewis & Clark took 4th in 15:24. Central Valley copped the team title with a low of 89 points with Eisenhower second at 130. The Camas girls’ moved to 4A this year but they still easily claimed a State title with a low of 50 points to top Tahoma & Bellarmine Prep. Sophomore Alexa Efraimson found the new surroundings to her liking as she sped to victory over defending champion Jordan McPhee with a very solid time of17:32. McPhee finished alone in second with 18:10, while Alexis Fuller placed third with 18:16. Sofia Kane of Olympia garnered 4thin 18:23.
Emily Pittis of Sehome annexed her second State 2A title with a time of 18:17. The sophomore topped Sanne Holland of Cheney, who 18:30 for 2nd and Brittany Aquino of East Valley, who placed 3rd in 18:36. Reagan Colyer of North Kitsap finished 4th & Brittany Gappa of Squalicum followed in 5th despite running injured. The boys’ 2A race boiled down to a duel between Patrick Gibson of Squalicum and Poli Baltazar of Aberdeen with Gibson getting the victory in 15:13. Baltazar was not that far behind with 15:16 and hopefully both will join us in San Diego for Foot Locker nationals. Conner Johnson of Sehome & Sean Eustis of Washougal garnered the next two places. Sehome swept both the girls’ & guys’ team events.
In other divisions Sally Larson of Cedar Park Christian topped Hazel Carr of the Northwest School with her time of 18:38. Carr came home second in 1A for the second straight year less than three seconds later, while Kacey Kemper took 3rd. Dillon Quintana of Mt. Baker edged Tom Bradley of Blaine as both were timed in 15:50. Stephen Bottoms took the B title with 15:48 for Onalaska, while Sierra Speiker of Oroville scored in the gals’ race.
https://wa.milesplit.com/articles/95732-washington-state-races
Oregon State Races
The course was hardly dry at lane Community College, although the conditions were better than in most recent years and Sara Tsai topped a talented field in 6A with her clocking of 17:42. It was the fastest time since Melissa Lucas sped to victory in 1993 and then went on to a second place finish at Foot Locker and we surely need better representation in that race these day. Maggie Schmaedick of Sheldon, as she has all season, challenged Tsai most of the way before finishing second in 17:46. Parkes Kendrick of Grant surprised a bit for 3rd (17:58) and Ella Donaghu, also from Grant, earned 4th. Defending champion Paige Rice ran a fine 18:01 to take 5th as Erin Clark of South Eugene & Gracie Todd of Sheldon took the next two places. Grant edged St. Mary’s Academy in the team race 66 to 68 with Jesuit, which was led by Ellie Kallgren ’s 12th place effort, finished third. Kyle Thompson of Central Catholic may not have defending his title as a junior but he led his young Ram team to a State title in the team race with a 52 - 76 verdict. Jackson Darland ended up his renaissance season with a victory in 15:40 and Dan Oekerman of Beaverton followed eight seconds later. Thompson was followed by Julian Heninger of Lakeridge, who ran 16:09.
It was not a good day for defending champions in Eugene but it was not an issue for Travis Neuman of Summit, who easily ran the best time of the day (15:29) to score in the 5A race. Summit and Hermiston dominated the front of the race with Matthew Maton of the Storm taking 2nd in 15:42 and Alejandro Cisneros, Eduardo Juarez & Jose Macias sweeping the next three places. Eric Alldritt of Summit followed in 6th and Nabi Amin was the first on Strom or Bull Dog to finish. Summit lived up to its nickname with a low of 33 points , while the Cleveland pack edged Hermiston for second by a 61 to 69 margin. Grace Grim of Hood River Valley scored in the girls’ 5A race, as MaryKate McGuire of Dallas finished second with 18:53. Hannah Gindlesperger of Summit took third & followed Emma Wren of Cleveland & Maggie Coleman of Hermiston followed her across the finish line.
Katy Potter of Siuslaw ended the two year reign of Alisha Luna of Klamath Union by running 18:56. Luna finished third behind Sierra Brown of Hidden Valley. LaSalle scored in the team race over KU. In the boys’ 4A race Siuslaw overwhelmed its competition as Matthew Campbell edged his Siuslaw teammate Mitchell Butler with both sharing 15:49. Jonathan & David Cornish swept 3rd & 4yj for North Valley, as Siuslaw showed its dominance with a 5th place finish by Mack Marbas, who edged Brett Willyard of Seaside with both running 16:09. Katriel O’Reilly of Union ended the reign of Olivia Powell of Creswell with her mark of 19:16 and Union also annexed the team title with the aid of the 2nd place finish of McKenzie Evans. Powell placed 3rd. Nick Obletz was the top returning guy in 3A and the Oregon Episcopal runner laid claim to his first State title with a time of 15:58. David Ribich of Enterprise came in second.
https://or.milesplit.com/articles/95780-oregon-state-races
Around the Nation
Michigan
This is another state, which is loaded with talent and two-time Foot Locker national finalist Erin Finn annexed the D1 division with 17:07 eclipsing nation class Hannah Meier, who ran 17:34. Placing third was Jamie Morrissey of Rochester Adams who ran 17:48. Brian Kettle won the divisional boys’ title with 15:07 to top T J Carey by just two seconds. Julia Bos, also a Foot Locker finalist, won the 2A title with a time of 17:20. Kenzie Weiler of Cedar Springs followed the Grand Rapids senior in 17:49. Conor Mora of Cedar Springs had the fastest time of the day with 15:04, yet was only a scant five seconds ahead of Tanner Hinkle of Mason. Times were swift in D3 with Gina Patterson running 17:43 and Raquel Serna of St. Louis next with 17:59. Nick Raymond of Erie Mason stormed home in 15:05 to easily defeat Bryce Stroede, who ran a fine 15:22. D4 victors were Kirsten Oiling (17:59) & Jesse Hersha (15:32).
Ohio State Meet
The move from Scioto Downs to National Trails Raceway has led to much faster times given the basically flat course but of course the state needed more money through slot machines, so the runners lose a fine course. Times no longer are comparable, so it is hard to properly evaluate the 17:39 winning mark of Jacqueline Crow, who ran 17:39. Of course no matter the course, it is a fine time, yet she nipped Janielle Noe of Sylvania Northview by only a second. Annie Heffernan (17:45) & Lauren Wood (17:52) took the next two places as mason won the team race. Tippecanoe runner Sam Wharton scored in the guys’ race with 15:09 with Jacob Dumford of Westerville North finishing 2nd in 15”17. Brian Brennan of Walsh Jesuit placed third in 15:22 & junior Nick Elswick lost for the first time this season, as he ran 15:24. Dan Zupan of Berea placed 11th. St Xavier won the team title with 71 points to top mason & St. Ignatius.
Mary Kate Vaughn of oakwood ran away with the D2 title with 17:41, while Mick Iacofano of Akron St. Vincent – St. Mary’s led the guys with 15:32. Sarah Kanney of Coldwater secured the D3 triumph with 17:58 & Samuel Prakel of Versailles scored in the guys’ event with 15:16. Cory Glines of Aquinas & Kyle Polman of Independence followed with 15;20 & 15;24 respectively.
Illinois State Meet
Sadly no 5K in this state and the top three male runners all won as expected. Jack Keelan of Chicago St. Ignatius had the fastest time of the day, when he claimed 3A with 14:05. Second went to Quintin Shaffer of Mt. Prospect with 14:14. Jack Wold of Glenbard South won 2A with 14:16 as Alex Baker of Crystal Lake ran 14:21. Grant Nykaza of Beecher won as anticipated with 14:22 to easily distance the field.
Madelyn Perez of Glenbard West had the swiftest time for the gals with her triumph in 16:02. It was a strong supporting cast with Emma Fisher of Elmhurst taking 2nd in 16:15 and Courtney Ackerman of Winnetka securing third in 16:27. Kaylee Flanagan of Roselle, a 2011 Foot Locker national finalist, had an off day coming home 4th. Victoria Clinton won 2A with 16:56 & Ivy Handley of St. Theresa was 2nd.
North Carolina State Meet
Bakri Abushouk of Cary broke the course record at Benson Park with a 15:13 clocking. Dalton Nickel of Mount Tabor finished 2nd in 15:31 and William Robertson took 3rd in 15:38. Tanis Baldwin won the 3A title with 15:28. The top three girls in 4A were all under eighteen minutes with Megan Sullivan of Broughton leading the way with 17:48. Pegah Kamrani of East Chapel & Maura McDonnell of Green Hope followed in 2nd & 3rd with times of 17:51 & ’56. Mary Grace Doggett defeated her Cardinal Gibbons team mate Sophie Ebihara by five seconds with her time of 18:02.
Sadly Darby Middlebrook, who seemed on her way to a Foot locker berth, was found to have suffered a broken bone in her knee, when she dropped out of last week’s qualifier.
Connecticut State Meet
Henry Wynne of Staples ran 15:49 to win by nine seconds over Jake Feinstein. Brianna Lenehan scored in the girls’ race with 19:09.
Minnesota State Meet
Maria Hauger became the State’s first four-time winner since Carrie Tollefson, who turned the trick five times. Her 4K time of 13:42 bettered the record of Elizabeth Yester. Sadly she will not test our nation’s best and will head instead to Sioux Falls for a regional. Wayde Hall topped the men’s field with 15:21. Joe Klecker of Hopkins battled the winner late in the race finished only third after being caught by Obsa Ali.
Missouri State Meet
Simon Belete of Blue Springs won with 15:48. Hannah Long was the best of the girls with 18:06.
Virginia Regional
Sophie Chase and Sean McGorty remain undefeated after their victories in the Northern Regional. McGorty flew home in 14:19 on the 2.98 mile course and Nick Tuck was the runner-up with 15:03. Chase’s time was the third fastest ever run at Burke lake Park and it broke the school record of the great Wendy Neeley, who finished third at Foot Locker in 1986. Chase zipped home in 16:42 and her usual nemesis Caroline Alcorta sped home in 16:58.
South Carolina State Meet
Laura Miller got her first State title with 17:57 to improve upon her 3rd & 4th place finishes of the last two years. Tony Morales & Zach Langston among the guys.
Nevada State Meet
Jordan Cardenas of Reno topped the guys with 16:15 & Katie Gorczyca of Centennial led the gals with 19:04. Katie won by 54 seconds, while Cardenas’ race with Eddie Esquivel (16:31) was a bit closer.
Rhode Island State Meet
Trevor Crawley of Cumberland won with 15;39 over Bryce Kelley. Emma McMillan of Barrington ran 18:22 to defeat Sheridan Wilbur of LaSalle.
Tennessee State Meet
Nicole Gardner topped the field with 18:44. Aaron Templeton of Hardin Valley won 3A with 15:52 to defeat Quintin McKinnish of Morristown by three seconds. They were the only runners to break sixteen minutes.
Arizona State Meet
Bernie Montoya blew away the field with 15:14 & Ryan Silva was 2nd in 15;50. Sarah Fakler led Xavier to another girls’ title with her 18:02. Kristi Rush was 2nd in 18:50.
New York Section III
Fayetteville-Manlius actually ran and won as Annika Avery (18:38) & Nick Ryan (15:47) topped the fields. Jillian Fanning of FM returned to place third & Laura Leff of West Genesee earned sixth in Class A. Ryan Manahan topped Class B with 16:18 and Rachel Gann (19:39) scored among the girls. Ryan Perry won Class C in 17:14, while Fabius-Pompey runner Erin McConnell won again with 19:10.
New York Section II
Saratoga Springs won both girls & boys’ race. Taylor Driscoll (17:26) & Keelin Hollowood (17:41) went 1 -2 for the Blue Streaks. Phil Germano of Albany won the boys’ race with 15:18 & Jay Navin of Saratoga was earned 2nd with 15:20.
California League Meets
MTAL
Diego Leon of Anzar led with 16:22 edging Timmy Matthews by a second.
Eastern league
A tight battle here with both Ricky Sweet of Point Loma & Jorge Matt-Navarro of Patrick Henry running 15:57.
Western League
Palisades Charter runners Drake Johnston & Jon Tewodros went 1 – 2 with 15:26 & 15:35. Marissa Williams, also from PC, led the gals with 16:37.
Bay League
Evan Malone-White of Redondo union won with 15:24 with Ryland Dreibelbis & Casey Celestin clocking 15:32. West Tait (15:36) & Miles Irish followed
Chanel League
Bryan Fernandez of Dos Pueblos scored with 14:37. His team mates Max Davis & John Greening went 2-3.
Massachusetts
Junior- Senior Meet
Janelle Solviletti edged Jessie Cardin by .09 in the MSTCA Invitational. Kevin Connors ran 16;40 to lead the guys in D2. Allen Shiu ran 16:22, which was the best time of the day to win D1. Riley Gimore topped the girls.