XC Update - Oct 11

Titan XC Update - Oct 11, 2009

OPEN REGION @ SYRACUSE
The Titans hosted their first ever Cross Country meet Wednesday. By all standards, it was a huge success. Even though the times may not have been what was hoped for, the efforts were very good. The slower times were because of the tough course and the effects of the hard workout on Monday. But the competitiveness and desire were great. The meet was also a success because of the help from so many parents and athletes that helped set up, officiate, and clean up after the meet.
Hannah Williams had another great meet placing 2nd. She ran 19:25 for the tough 3-mile course. Taylee Hamblin finished 13th overall in 20:58 even though she had been sick most of the last week. Mikelann Wilcox (17th, 21:26), Shelby Cadwell (20th, 21:44), Abby Rich (21st, 21:49) Lindsey McFarland (22nd, 21:54) and Kiana Tebbs (25th, 21:59) had good grouping to help ensure the 2nd place TEAM finish by the Lady Titans. Daylyn Johnston continued her improvement running 23:10 in the Varsity race. Eight schools fielded teams in the race. Davis finished first with 31 points with Syracuse 2nd scoring 73. Weber (85), Viewmont (91) and Fremont (93) were close behind.
Haley Busby hung with the leaders for most of the JV race before finishing 6th in 23:38. Sasha Russell ran 24:47 to place 16th. Cambria Bitter ran very well for her first ever XC race running 28:18. Mckenna Peterson finished in 29:17.
Austin Costley ran great, taking the lead early, pushing the pace, and holding on for the victory in the Varsity Boys race. His time was 16:22 over the 3-mile course. Jake Rossmango ran very well finishing 6th in 16:45. Tyrell Pearce (19th, 17:44), Brandon Yardley (22nd, 17:47), Jaxon Hansen (24th, 17:50) and Kyle Kelly (27th, 17:55) ran fairly tight to help the Titan cause. Preston Williams, battling the flu, ran 18:08. Weston Atkins (18:42), Steve Wilcox (18:45) and Brandon Hansen (19:19) completed the Varsity squad. Davis won the Varsity Boys with 25 points. Weber was 2nd with 68, closely followed by the Titans with 72. Viewmont (92), Northridge (141), Fremont (166) and Roy (182) completed the team scoring.
Frank Owens continued his great improvement as he ran 19:18 to place 16th in the JV race. Dylan Rossmango (19:33), Julian Alvarez (19:40), Thomas Hill (19:42) also ran well to finish in the top 30. Parker Williams (20:01), Lance Gossett (21:13), Spencer Griffin (22:01), Josh Flores (22:53) and Gregg Marchant (23:30) also ran strong races in the JV competition. Complete results can be found at: www.titanxc09.blogspot.com.
Overall, it was a good tuneup for the Region Championships.
ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
Selected as Athletes of the Week were Mckenna Peterson, Lindsey McFarland, Weston Atkins, and Josh Flores. While neither Mckenna or Josh place real high in their races, they both demonstrate the qualities that help build strong programs: never miss practices (I doubt they have missed five combined since June 1st), never complain, work their hardest, strive to improve. They are more important to the success of the TEAM than they realize. Lindsey and Weston have done a great job in helping the TEAM all year long. Both will be big factors in our Region success.

REGION CHAMPIONSHIPS
These next two weeks are what many have been shooting for since last October. A great amount of work has been done, the mileage put in, and the preparation completed. Whatever the outcome, the journey has been challenging and rewarding.
What to look for Wednesday: Realistically, Davis is the odds on favorite to again take home both trophies. While we would love to upset them, our #1 goal is to make sure we place in the top-5 teams and make it to State. The next realistic goal would be to capture 2nd. On paper, the Lady Titans should battle Weber, Viewmont and Fremont for 2nd place. It should be a close race. For the Boys, it should come down to the Titans and Weber for 2nd. Whichever TEAM can get the best grouping of the 3-6 runners will probably “win” 2nd. And the ultimate goal would be to have great races from every athlete and be in position to win the titles if Davis falters.
Individually, Hannah Williams and Davis’ Meghan Hedquist and Jessie Wilding have dominated the region. Those three should push the pace again and any of the three could win. On the Boys side, Austin Costley has run tough all year. His main competition for the individual title should come from Jake Rossmango, Davis’ Logan Petty, Brad Nye and Jeff Taylor, Weber’s Russ Carnahan and Layton’s Tyson Butler.
It should be a great meet.

FOOT LOCKER INFORMATION
Don’t forget to get your Foot Locker info back by Tuesday. It would be great if we had so many that wanted to go that we needed to charter a bus.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Wed, Oct 14 - Region Championships @ Layton Commons Park
Wed, Oct 21 - State Championships @ Sugarhouse Park