Sunday, September 29, 2013

Girls XC Recap 9/29

Sophomore Abby Guidry took the gold at the Cy Woods XC Invitational, running a PR of 18:24. Speaking of sophomores, they are doing fabulous this season with Paige Hofstad and Madie Boreman-there are no results out for Hofstad this week but Boreman placed third at the Islander's Splash meet. The meet was listed as a 3 mile course but the times seem more fit for a 5k-Boreman ran 18:42 and she's run sub-18 5ks before, and Jessica Ellis ran an 18:48 which she's run on a 5k course before too. It may just have been a tough course or bad weather (it was raining pretty hard throughout most of Texas). Devin Clark won the race by over 30 seconds, running 17:32 and Kelsie Warren took second with a time of 18:09.

Other meets this weekend include the Northside Invitational, won by Kellee McCann who ran an 18:32, the Metroplex Challenge where Laina Sorenson ran 18:49 and the Giddings Invitational, won by Kristaly Munoz who is also having a great season.

We finally see Natalie Rathjen again at the Colony Cougars Invitational. She ran an 18:19 5k, winning the race easily. Rathjen still holds the girl's 5k record for this season with a time of 17:38.

Vandegrift High School went up to California this weekend to run the Stanford XC Invitational. The girls took 5th out of 37 teams, representing Texas quite well.

That wraps up this week's results, be sure to check out the video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99Nxba0UWkA&list=HL1380506589&feature=mh_lolz) and tune in next week where I will be reporting live from the McNeil meet!

Sunday, September 22, 2013

2013 Beginning of XC Season Overview (Boys)

5A Senior Frank Lara holds the leading time so far this season of 15:19, followed by Brad Dohner (5A senior) and Austen Dalquist (5A senior).

Meanwhile, the sophomores are taking over the top spots in 4A, with Carter Blunt ranked first (15:38) and Victor Pedraza ranked third (15:44). Second is senior Steven Galli with a time of 15:41.

The top freshmen in the state are Briggs Wittlake (16:16), Ian Estrada (16:35) and Matthew Melcher (16:49). Blunt and Pedraza are the top sophomores, and juniors include Caleb Hollifield, Pedro Nasta and Eli Canal (all from 5A).

At this point the state title could go to anyone; Lara is only 2 seconds ahead of Dohner and 6 ahead of Dalquist. Another contender is Connor Hendrickson, who was the top junior at the state meet last year. His fastest time this season is 15:39.

It is not often an underclassman wins a state title, but freshman Madie Boreman racked up two state titles and a runner-up title in 4A last year. Blunt and Pedraza will be fierce competitors this season, and Galli has steadily improved from year to year. As of now, the title could go to anyone.

Check out my overview on youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ITAlMWhxys

Saturday, September 21, 2013

Beginning of XC Season Overview: High School Girls

The season started off with a bang when Natalie Rathjen (4A Senior) ran a 17:38 5k. That remains the fastest time to date, followed by 5A sophomore Paige Hofstad with 17:57 earlier today. Madi McLellan (5A senior) is the third girl to break the 18 minute barrier, running a 17:59.

Last year's 4A state champ was freshman Madie Boreman. Her season hasn't been her strongest so far, though she held off 5A senior Devin Clark, running an 18:13 5k. She placed second at Cedar Park today, unexpectedly losing to 4A Senior Brittany Innis. Brittany ran 18:26, moving her up to the second spot in 4A Region 4.

Some noticeable freshman are Julia Heymach, running a time of 18:38 and Alexis McKennon whom I've raced a couple times this season, running a 19:12 5k. So far there are no Madie Boremans, but it is still early in the season.

As for the sophomores, Hofstad currently has the fastest time followed by Boreman. The sophomores are dominating the 4A region 4 at this point; Boreman leads the way, followed by Krysta Martinez who ran 18:59, Caylon McMillan who had an exceptional year last year and Gema Sanchez.

The leading junior is Megan Montgomery, with Devin Clark trailing right behind her. Both girls have times of low 18s.

Clearly the seniors are racking up the top rankings, with Rathjen, McLellan, Innis and many more. Will the girls live up to Sandie Raines, Arin Rice and Jessica Prickett's incredible senior season?

My prediction for the 5A state championship is Hofstad, who placed 4th last year as a freshman. As for 4A, Boreman will need to improve greatly if she wants to defend her state title, because Rathjen's time is 45 seconds faster. Of course it is still the start of the season and there is still much room for improvement. Check out my overview on youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M40lYTpyKHo&feature=youtu.be