STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
The end of the regular season concluded with some outstanding performances at the State Championships. The Titans took advantage of the perfect weather to improve on last years standings where both TEAMS placed 12th. This year the Girls finished 10th and the Boys 6th, just one point out of 5th. With 24 5A schools, those are some impressive finishes.
Sharlie Dimick again led the Lady Titans with her 31st place finish. She covered the tough 3.0 mile course in 20:26. Lindsey Bailey, who we weren’t even sure if we would have her run XC this year, ran 22:02 to place 72nd. Erin Kibler (74th, 22:06) and Rachel Markham (76th, 22:08) were right behind Lindsey. And there was not much of a gap back to Shelby Cadwell (82nd, 22:28) and Leisha Jones (87th, 22:42). Cheyna Field rounded out the Titan TEAM finishing 105th in 23:39. Much more on that later.
Brandon Yardley duplicated Sharlie’s feat of being our #1 runner in every meet this year. He had definitely come a long way since his first year involved in the program. His time of 16:30 put him in 20th place and earned him a 3rd Team All-State honor. Jaxon Hansen also ran well finishing 33rd while running 16:47. He also had a great year finishing as our #2 runner in every meet. Mike Russell (40th), Parker Greenhalgh (41st), and Landon Greenhalgh (42nd) finished in a virtual dead heat in 16:59 and 17:00. These three had run one XC race each before this season. I doubt there were many ahead of them with less experience. They had great seasons. Jeff Michel (49th, 17:08) and Frank Owens (61st, 17:27) finished their XC careers with strong performances.
All 14 athletes toed the line hoping for the best performance of their lives. While all 14 didn’t achieve this lofty goal, each and every one of the them can say they gave 100%. No one can ask for more.
Complete results of all races can be found at: www.runnercard.com.
ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
Chosen as Athletes of the Week were Sharlie Dimick, Frank Owens and Jaxon Hansen. Sharlie concluded the season having finished as our #1 runner in every race. Frank and Jaxon concluded their very successful SHS XC careers running tough races at State.
WHY WE RUN
A few days ago we watched a clip titled “Why We Run”. While there were several instances throughout the season that we could use in a similar video, I think Cheyna’s state experience would be the most appropriate. Obviously, she struggled at Region and State- no one can put a finger on why. As she approached the two-mile mark at State, I was tempted to order her out of the race. I was worried something might be seriously wrong and she could “pull a Maddy” on us. However, she struggled on, gave everything she had, and finished about 3-minutes slower than she would have liked in her final high school TEAM cross country race. As I made my way to the finish- I think purposely moving slower than usual giving time for the lump in my throat and tears in my eyes to disappear, I finally found Cheyna and her Mom. After a wet hug (Cheyna sweats as much as I do) and a brief chat, it was apparent that she had survived and was OK. The next day I received an email from Jeani (Cheyna’s Mom). I hope they don’t mind me sharing a quote from it.
“...One girl, however, had the slowest race of her Titan XC career in the most important race of her over-a-year’s time working with the TEAM. Directly after what she felt was the hardest race she has ever run she said, ‘Running that race meant everything to me! I’m numb. I don’t know what to feel here. I tried my very hardest and did my very worst! I don’t know what’s wrong. I do know one thing though, if I would have known at the beginning that it would end like this… I wouldn’t have changed it. I would have still worked my hardest. I would have still done it all.’”
That’s why we run and that’s why we coach. And that’s why we all love Cheyna. There is no way the Titans would trade our “Chey” for that other “Shae”. While “Shae” is a great runner and an outstanding young lady, no one can touch our “Chey”.
GREAT SEASON TITANS
The end of the regular season is a good time to reflect on the last few months. What was good, what not so good. What has to be continued, what has to be changed. Overall, it was a great season. Most schools would love to have had the successes on the field of competition we have had. However, the real signs of a great season are the lessons learned and the memories that have been made. Those who gained the most (no matter where they finished in the races) are those who are more self-disciplined, dedicated, motivated and goal-oriented than before the training began. And, of course, the memories: trails, High Altitude Camp, relays, races, abs, TEAM dinners, videos and boring talks by an old man, etc. Let’s keep building on what has been started.
THANKS, THANKS, THANKS!!
To Coach Wilcox and Haley Busby. The best co-head coaches in the state. You both made huge contributions to our success this year, more than you realize. And thanks to all parents for your support this year. While the contributions of all of you may have gone unrewarded, they have not been unappreciated.
CONTINUED RUNNING
Monday I will hand out the workouts for those going to Foot Locker. EVERYONE is invited, encouraged, ordered, whatever, to continue running each day after school. Monday we will meet in my room. After that we will just meet in the hallway between the gyms and get on the road/trails in a hurry.
TEAM PICTURES
We will take the TEAM pictures for the yearbook Tuesday, Oct 25th after school. As soon as we are finished with the pictures, we will turn in the uniforms. Please have them cleaned. We will run after things are turned in.
MEET OF CHAMPIONS
This meet will be held Saturday, October 29th in Provo. The Meet of Champions is for seniors only. There are also races for others interested in running. The cost is $2.00 per athlete. I’ll give you more information Monday.
TEAM BANQUET
The XC TEAM Banquet will be held November 10th at the high school. Parents are invited. It will start at 6:00 and be catered. The cost will be about $7.00 per person- I’ll get the final information out as soon as all plans are finalized.
UPCOMING DATES
Tues, Oct 25 - TEAM Pictures for Yearbook after school. Uniforms turned in after.
Sat, Oct 29 - All-Star Meet of Champions
Sat, Nov 5 - Pre-Foot Locker @ American Fork
Thur, Nov 10 - TEAM Banquet at SHS @ 6:00 pm
Sat, Nov 12 - NCAA Regional XC Meet @ Provo
Kevin Hansen’s pictures are posted at http://2011titanxcphotos.blogspot.com/
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