State Meet

11/2/02 at Farragut State Park, Couer d'Alene ID - 5k

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Results

Complete results at www.idahoxc.com or http://www.sd01.k12.id.us/schools/capital/sports/xcountry/idhsxc02.htm.

by Brett Hill

The Idaho State Cross-Country Meet turned out to be a picture perfect day in Northern Idaho. The temperature was in the mid 50's, and the 5k course was beautifully prepared. Most of the races played out as expected, but there were a few upsets on the day.

5A Summary
Senior Matt Knoff (Highland) as expected raced to the front and was never seriously challenged. He went on to post the fastest time of the 15:58.55. David Jankowski (Skyline) was second in 16:18.78.

4th, 6th and 8th place finishes of Adam Follett, Scott Woodbury, and Jon Griffith respectfully lead the Idaho Falls Tiger to maybe the largest upset of the day. Meridian the defending State Champions and favorites to repeat were very tough up front, with their first 4 runners in the top 11, but number 5 was a little too far back as Idaho Falls put their next two runners in at 19th and 20th. Top 5 Teams: 1. Idaho Falls 51; 2. Meridian HS 59; 3. Skyline HS 72; 4. Highland HS 107; 5. Timberline HS 116

In the girls race Sophomore Breanna Sande (Lake City) took advantage of the home course and raced wire to wire for the victory in 19:31.72. Abby Zimney (Meridian) was chasing hard and finished second in 19:36.36.

No upset here, Zimney lead her Meridian team to their fourth straight title with a dominating 44 points. Skyline finished second with 69 points. Top 5 Teams: 1. Meridian HS 44; 2. Skyline HS 69; 3. Idaho Falls HS 108; 4. Eagle HS 113; 5. Boise HS 114

4A Summary
The upset in this division happened in the individual boys race with Aaron Wolfe (Century) beating Patrick MCGlynn and Paul Thomas of Bishop Kelley to claim the title. Thomas was the favored to win the title after a runner-up finish last year, but Wolfe finished very strong for the victory.

A recovering Mark Irving over came a mid-season injury to lead his Hillcrest Knights to the team victory over an improving Century team. Bishop Kelley finished third. Hillcrest finished 4th, 5th, 16th, 17th, 19th, 20th, and 21st for a dominating performance. Top 5 Teams: 1. Hillcrest HS 55; 2. Century HS 76; 3. Bishop Kelly HS 77; 4. Jerome HS 126; 5. Madison HS 134

What many thought to be the race of the day, turned into a blow out. Ali Brosh (Sandpoint) took off and never looked back posting an outstanding and best time of the day in 18:32.98. This race did produce the 4 fastest times of the day with Jackie Carter (Bishop Kelley) at 19:03.79, Danya Rumore (Sandpoint) at 19:11.14; Katie O'Neil (Bishop Kelley) at 19:13.97. The two defending champs in the race, Karley Meikle (5A) and Taryn Trapp (4A) had to settle for 5th and 8th respectfully.

The team title wasn't a huge surprise, but many thought Bishop Kelley would repeat last years performance since they lost no top 5 runner to graduation. They ended up a distant 5th. The day belonged to Sandpoint with a 1, 3, 7 finish up front. They won their first title over the Hillcrest Knights. Top 5 Teams: 1. Sandpoint HS 56; 2. Hillcrest HS 78; 3. Vallivue HS 99; 4. Moscow HS 99; 5. Bishop Kelly HS 104

3A Summary
Rodger Jachim (Middleton) proved seniors rule. He ran away from sophomore Dallas Eborn (Bear Lake) 2nd and the field to claim the 3A individual title in a time of 16:41.02.

Preston lead by a third place finish of Colby Cole pulled off a third straight title win over the Gooding boys. Top 5 Teams: 1. Preston HS 53; 2. Gooding HS 60; 3. Middleton HS 86; 4. Snake River HS 112; 5. Bonners Ferry HS 117;

April Homan (Gooding) would not be denied as she raced almost wire to wire for the 3A title. She defeated 2-time defending champion Dannielle Allen (Teton) by 14 seconds in a time of 19:55.45.

The Salmon girls proved their doubters wrong Saturday as they packed three girls up front and had enough later in the race to win their first title ever in the history of girls sports at Salmon High School. Bonners Ferrey finished second and Preston one of the favorites had on off day and finished 3rd.

2A Summary
As predicted Senior Cody Fowers (Hansen) smoked the youngsters with the 5th best time of the day 16:34.37. Malad finished 2, 3 with Sophomores Steve Atkinson and Trevor Price and then junior Nathan Clayson (Firth) raced in.

Firth streak of 5 straight titles looked in jeopardy at the mile mark with only one runner in the top twenty, but as the raced progressed through the second hilly mile they moved steadily up and in position to win. The race was still not won until the final straightaway with wild kicks that left Firth with it's 6th straight title. Malad finished a very close second and McCall Donnelley was 2 points behind them in third.

Ashley Puga (Nampa Christan) was pushed from the gun by Shannalee Christman (Soda) but the lopping sophomore from NC pulled away on the final hill for a 22 second win in a time of 20:10.93.

The team race looked like a duel meet up front with Malad and Firth placing 6 runners among the top 9 runners. Malad lead by senior Alaina Price, Kimberly Williams, and Bobbi Wangsgard were trying to win their 4th State title in as many years. But Firth placed their top 7 ahead of Malad's number 5 girl to give them their first ever title, after a playing second fiddle to Malad the past 3 years.

Thanks, Brett Hill

Preview

by Brett Hill
www.idahoxc.com

The State meet will be held November 2th at Farrugut State Park in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. The course is a challenging course that starts on grass, switches to asphalt then to dirt trail and every mile to half mile changes terrain. There is a 400-500 ft. elevation change through-out the course. with a pretty challenge climb 3/4 mile from the finish. Here is a wrap-up of the field.

5A Boys-- The individual title will go to Matt Knoff (Highland) barring a major illness, injury, or death. Harrison (Mer), Jankowski (Sky) and Follette(IF) (and his hair) will be battling for 2nd.

The team race, I believe is going to be closer than most probably think. It will be a barn burner. IF and Skyline have been battling the past 3 weeks and improving immensely. I believe Meridian is still the favorite, but watch out for 2 fired-up Idaho Falls schools.

5A Girls-- The individual title might be the hardest to predict, with a number of runners that have a chance of winning. The favorite would have to be Breanna Sande (Lake City) where she is more familiar with the course and seems to have a slight edge. Downey (Pocatello), Coffman (Boise), Zimney (Meridian) could pull the upset.

Meridian looks to repeat, and if I were in Vegas I wouldn't bet against them. However, being so close to Halloween Skyline might give them a real scare.

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4A Boys-- The individual title looks to being staying in Bishop Kelley, with Thomas the clear favorite. If he falters Aaron Wolfe (Centenial), and an improving Attebury (Hillcrest) might pull the upset.

Team Title should have "The Knights" going to battle. Bishop Kelley(Knights) and Hillcrest(Knights) should joist until the end with a few points separating them. Go Knights!!!

4A Girls-- Of all the races, don't miss this one!! It will be the best race of the day. I believe the top 5 runners in the State are in this race (two returning State Champs). I'm going out on a limb, Katie O'Neil(BK) will upset 2-time State Champ Miekle(Hill), Brosh(Sand), and last years State Champ Trapp(Vall).

In the team race, it might well be the hottest contested race of the day. "The Knights" are going to have to dethrone the Sandpoint Bulldogs. Which Knight's is the question? Both Bishop Kelley and Hillcrest have been running great as of late. I really can't say who will win this race, but it will be a close battle.

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3A Boys-- Youth is the key word here. I believe John Bell (Bonners Ferry) and Dallas Eborn (Bear Lake) are the favorites. Both seem to be running very well right now. Look out for Rodger Jachim (Middleton) or Coby Cole (Preston) to spoil the party of the youngsters.

Preston, Preston, Preston look to make it three. I believe they can defend their title, but it is going to be a lot more difficult than in the past. The Gooding boys are a great team and will earn some respect on Saturday. Possible upset might go to Bonners Ferry.

3A Girls-- A few possiblities might present themselves here. 1. Two time champ Danielle Allen (Teton) is heathly and blows the field away. 2. April Homan (Gooding) continues to improve and pulls the upset. 3. A new face or name might emerge like; Katie Eborn (BL), Laura Herbst (Salmon), or ? Which will happen? I tend to think #1.

As far as the team title goes. Preston, Preston, Preston. A few weeks ago I would have said, "Salmon, Salmon, Salmon, Salmon, Salmon," because that was how close their top 5 runner were apart. But, due to a few factors they will have to have a good day to dethrone Preston.

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2A Boys-- Senior power! Unlike the 3A race where I think youth will prevail, I believe a Senior from a very small school will triumph. Cody Fowers (Hansen) will be hard to beat. There are a few youthful faces looking to do it; Steve Atkinson (Malad), Trevor Price (Malad), Keane Shuler (Soda), and Nathan Clayson (Firth). Look for a great race.

Being the coach at Firth I'll try not to be to biased. There are, I believe 5 very solid teams in the State; Malad, Soda, McCall-Donnelly, Ririe and Hansen. All of them, I'm sure are wanting and ready to knock us off. My team is very young with only three of the top seven having State experience, this makes us vulnerable. Firth is try to make it six in a row. I guess this week will reveal the character of my boys, and that's why I love this sport.

2A Girls-- With defending champ Amy Collins out with a stress fracture. Ashley Puga will be the name cheered for first at the finish line Saturday morning. As dominate as Matt Knoff is in 5A, Ashley will be far more dominate in this race. A few possible other top contenders chasing her around the course (albeit a minute or two back) might be; Shannalee Christman (Soda), Alaina Price (Malad), or Bobbi Wangsgard (Malad).

Malad, Malad, Malad, Malad. They are going for four straight. A few teams want to spoil that party. Soda Springs looks to have the best chance of doing so, since they only lost to Malad by a point at district, and will probably be a little healthier. McCall-Donnelly and Firth might also have a say in the way things play out. One thing is for sure it going to be fun.

DyeStat Idaho