Titan XC Update - Oct 20, 2008

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES!!
A year ago, the Titan Boys placed last in the region with a score of 204 points, 30 behind 7th place. In 2008, they placed 2nd behind defending 5A State Champion Davis, 28 points ahead of 3rd place Weber. In 2007, the average time of the five scoring boys was 18:33. This year- 16:55. Impressive. The Lady Titans also showed dramatic change moving up from a 4th place finish in 2007 to also place 2nd behind nationally-ranked Davis. They also improved the average time for the top five from 20:38 to 20:11.

GIRLS RESULTS
As expected, Davis won the title and there was a tight battle for the next three spots. The Lady Titans scored 72 points to narrowly finish ahead of Weber (78) and Fremont (89). Layton finished with 134 points to secure the last spot at State. Hannah Williams struggled a little but still finished strong to place 9th in 19:30. McKayla Williams had her fastest mile average time of the year running 19:55 to finish 13th. Abby Rich also had her best race of the year as her 20:15 was good enough for 15th. Mikelann Wilcox had another great race to place 17th in 20:37, one spot ahead of Kiana Tebbs 18th place finish. This was Kiana’s best mile average of the year. Taylee Hamblin improved her best 3-mile time by 33 seconds to 20:54 to place 24th. Aubrey Eddy had her best race of the year as she ran 22:49 to finish 41st.
In the Junior Varsity race, Hilary Peterson ran great to finish 6th in 21:22. Running well to help Syracuse finish 3rd in the J.V. team race, were Sasha Russell (16th, 24:00), Mckenna Peterson (19th, 24:12), Haley Busby (24th, 24:38) and Kylin Long (27th, 29:00).

BOYS RESULTS
Once again, Davis took home the TEAM title. The Titans scored 69 points to place 2nd ahead of Weber (97), Fremont (130) and Viewmont (135).
Seven of the eight entered in the Varsity race had their best per mile averages of the year in an impressive TEAM performance. All ran smart making up several places over the last mile of the race. Austin Costley’s 16:33 was good enough to place 5th overall. Jake Rossmango (11th, 16:45) and Preston Williams (12th, 16:47) narrowly missed making the All-Region Team. Phillip Helms (20th, 17:15), Tyrell Pearce (21st, 17:16) and Brandon Yardley (22nd, 17:17) finished right together to ice the TEAM finish. Dallin Riggs was close behind running 17:28 to place 27th. Kyle Kelly ran 18:14 as a non-scorer in the Varsity race. This was over three minutes faster than he ran last year.
The J.V. Boys finished 4th. Alex Garrett (22nd, 18:35), Willis Ellsworth (23rd, 18:38) and Weston Atkins (24th, 18:38) finished right together to give us a good pack. Cody Trease (27th, 18:51), CJ Scothern (28th, 18:54), Steven Wilcox (29th, 19:17) and Christian Smith (30th, 19:19) were the other scoring athletes. Also running well were Nick Hilton (19:20), Dylan Rossmango (19:36), Clayton Bergloff (21:38), Grant Patterson (21:52), Ben Smith (22:28), Tyler Kutterer (22:42), and Kel Davis (23:54). Alex, Weston, Cody, CJ, and Dylan had their fastest per-mile averages of the year.

PERSONAL NOTE
This is about the 25th season I’ve coached Cross Country on the high school level. During that time I’ve been fortunate to have coached several teams that have won Region titles. This pair of 2nd-place finishes ranks right up there with any of the titles. To place that high after only two years is a real credit to a great group of hard-working and dedicated athletes.

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
Chosen as the Athletes of the Week were Aubrey Eddy and Clayton Bergloff, who have put in two great years of being quiet leaders of the TEAM. Their importance cannot be measured in the points that they score, but in how much they have pushed and helped others. These seniors will be missed!!

STATE TEAM PARTY
The Costley family will host the TEAM at a pasta dinner Tuesday evening at 5:30 pm.

STATE INFORMATION
State is this Wednesday. The Girls 5A race will begin at 3:30, the Boys at 4:00. Students will be excused at 12:00 and the bus will leave about 12:30. Parents: If you are planning on attending, the race is held at Sugarhouse Park in SLC. It’s tough to find parking- allow plenty of time.

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS OUTLOOK
Davis High should easily defend their Girls’ title. The battle for second should come from American Fork, Bingham, Timpanogos, Skyline, Jordan, Alta and, yes, the Lady Titans. Individually, Jordan’s Danielle Menlove has won about everything she’s entered this year. 2006 Champion Shalaya Kipp of Skyline and Davis’ Candace Eddy may give her a battle.
For the Boys, Alta should prevent Davis from their third straight title. The Darts and American Fork should battle for 2nd and 3rd. After that, it’s all open between Copper Hills, Kearns, Hillcrest, Timpanogos, Weber and Syracuse. Individually, Davis’ Seth Gutzwiller has been running very well. Hillcrest’s Jason Lynch, Lone Peak’s Steve Morrin and Timpanogos’ Matt Liddle could challenge.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Oct 21- State Pasta Party @ Costley’s
Oct 22- STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS @ Sugarhouse Park