The Big 3 and Mysterious 13 at McAlpine
By Stephen (steveu) Underwood
Girls - Boys
One of the most reviled terms on the DyeStat message boards during
the last year became "The Big Three." Just mentioning
those overused words came to cause the fingers of regal posters
everywhere to sizzle (as they unleashed venom on their keyboards)
and their monitors to explode.
Well, DyeStatville, Big Three mania is back … at least at McAlpine
Greenway in Charlotte, NC Saturday.
Yes, the Foot Locker South boys race for the coveted eight spots
in Orlando has a number of contenders, even for the individual title.
But how big an upset would it be if anyone but Bobby Lockhart, Bobby
Curtis or Joe Thorne won the thing? Or if either of them didn't
qualify at all? Yeah, it would be BIG.
Meanwhile, the girls race doesn't have quite the pretensions. Yes,
previous national finalists Laura Stanley, Kara Scanlin, Valerie
Lauver and Brooke Stewart will be top contenders (the first three
close to locks), but there look to be at least half a dozen others
who could win or place very high. It should be a thrilling, wide-open
race, with 18 of the top 31 returning.
Saturday's action at McAlpine will have 13 CC races spread over
6-plus hours, ranging from Masters to middle-schoolers. But the
two that everyone will pay most attention to will be the seeded
races beginning at 10 a.m. (girls) and 10:30 a.m. (boys). Those
will determine the eight standouts from each gender that will earn
a slot on the starting line at the national finals in Orlando on
Dec. 8.
Let's look at the girls first:
Girls
It should be a real shootout for the fairer gender Saturday, with
the four returning finalists having their hands full with several
other prime contenders. But you have to look at these 2000 qualifiers
first.
In fact, two of them may have given something of a preview for what's
in store at Great American, where Lauver of Texas (2nd, 17:49) and
North Carolina's Stanley (9th) were the top two Southerners.
Stanley, from Carolina Day HS, is actually the leading Orlando returnee
in the South. She was 11th (17:39) in the blanket finish at nationals
(6th was four seconds away) after taking 4th (18:07) in the region.
While Great American didn't go as well as the senior had hoped,
she easily took her NCISAA state meet on McAlpine back in late October
(17:45), and has been training hard since.
"It has been a great season so far," she says. "By
giving up classic soccer, I have been able to focus completely on
my running. I am running faster, more consistent times. (At state)
there was no competition for myself or many of my teammates, (but)
the meet was a reassurance that we were doing things correctly in
our training. It has been a long time since our state meet, but
my coach and I were able to design a four week plan to stay in good
condition."
Lauver (Allen HS) was 8th in the South (18:34) and the last of
four Texas qualifiers last year, then 19th (18:09) in Orlando. After
her stupendous Great American race, the senior had a tough loss
in her own state Class 5A meet (Nov. 10), taking 3rd in 10:50 (2
miles). But stepping up in distance should be to Lauver's advantage.
"Great American was a big surprise for me when I found myself
in second," she says. "It also confirmed that I like the
5K a lot better than the two-mile … and gave me more confidence
for Foot Locker South. My strengths are more in the endurance part
and the longer distances. I'm more of a strength runner than a kicker."
Scanlin (Episcopal HS) seems to be hitting her peak as well as
anyone in the South. The senior crushed the competition in Florida
last weekend, her record Class 1A (3 mile) time of 17:19 the fastest
in the state overall by nearly 40 seconds. She was the South runner-up
last year (18:03), then 23rd in Orlando (18:17). She's clearly come
a long way since the season's start.
"The past three weeks I have PRed by at least eight seconds
each week and I am definitely not peaking yet," she says. "The
biggest confidence booster was the state meet because I feel like
I really broke through a mental barrier. I think it is going to
take a strong effort this weekend to qualify for Orlando, but my
goal this season is to run well at Nationals, so that's what my
training and focus is geared towards."
Stewart, the only sophomore from the South to make the finals last
year (5th, 29th Nationals), will be a surprise again if she makes
it after taking 8th in the Texas 5A race.
These four national returnees will have no easy go, however. The
competition will come both from dominant stars in other states and
from other tough competition in already-mentioned states like Texas
and NC.
Mississippi
Ruling Mississippi for the last few years has been Julia Cathcart,
who captured 13th at McAlpine last fall (18:40), missing nationals
by just six seconds. The Starkville senior has dominated her state
this year after fighting through an injury that helped hold her
to 35th in the ROC. Her later wins included a 17:59 at the Jesse
Owens meet in Alabama.
"For me, the fall began with a stress fracture," she says.
"When I returned, I found that I had to be very cautious …
(but) my disappointing show at Great American strengthened my resolve
to train hard every day. (Since then) all of my times have dropped
significantly …My personal strengths lie in my ability to push
myself beyond where I thought I could, my endurance, and knowledge
of the course."
Virginia
From Virginia, junior Kelly Swain was 9th at FL South as a sophomore
last year, just missing Orlando, but she's been inconsistent this
year. And she'll have senior Keira Carlstrom (15th FL South) to
contend with from her own state, the winner of their AAA race (18:18).
Swain ran 9th there, but had been stronger in earlier meets. Jemissa
Hess, Shannon Saunders (30th FL South) and Kristin Saunders (49th
FL South) are other top Virginians.
Carlstrom, "has yet to be challenged by any runner in the state,"
says Brandon Miles of Milestat.com, the state's premier Web site.
"She looks primed to go under 18 in Charlotte. Hess really
turned it on at the end of the season."
North Carolina
Back to NC, Carly Matthews and Julie Lucas can be expected to be
right up there with Stanley from NC. Matthews was just 60th at FL
South as a junior, but roared to the 4A NC title with a 17:44. Lucas
was injured last fall, but has come back and was right behind Matthews
in 17:59. Other NC standouts could be Kristin Stroupe (3rd 4A, 1st
Great American Inv.), Jessica Collins (31st South 2000, 3A champ),
Tsehaye Dagnachew or Nelly Anderson, among others.
Texas
In Texas, it was Mindy Sullivan (10:46) and Angela Marvin (10:48)
who beat Lauver in the close Texas 5A meet, with the latter also
being the third best Southerner at Great American. Other top contenders
from Texas include Katrina Zielinski - who was just 19th in her
state meet, but 11th at FL South last year and ran well at Great
American - and Erin Bengtson (19th FL South), MacKenzie Edwards,
Lisa Cornelius and others.
Sullivan, who is a 2:08 800 runner, really impressed at state and
is moving up well. "I have been extremely pleased with my season
this year," she says. "I have competed well in every race
… (but) I still can't believe that I set the record (at state)."
Regarding Foot Locker, she adds, "I am not sure what the adjustment
will be like, but I feel I will be able to handle it."
Florida
While Scanlin is dominant in Florida, other possibilities could
be Jessica Hellender (24th FL South, 4A champ), Elly Kabbord (2A
champ in 17:58), or others. "I think this year it is Kara's
to win," says Flrunners.com's Jason Byrne. "And Elly has
come leaps and bounds. Last year she was very good but this year
she's taken it to another level."
Other Girls
Some other top contenders could be South Carolina's Angela Blackmon
(15th GA/ROC, 1st 4A meet), Tennessee's Megan Cauble, Alabama's
Jennifer Thompson, Louisiana's Grace Ann Nathannon, and Georgians
Michele and Jessica Brewer, Christy Brewer and Connie Heiskell.
Boys
No one would be surprised to see Saturday's boys' race come down
to Lockhart, Curtis and Thorne in the final quarter mile. After
all, the trio went 2-5-4 respectively at FL South last year (the
top three returnees), then 13-10-12 in Orlando (three of the top
four returnees). While they will be challenged by several others,
the chances of these titans bears initial examination.
After an early spring that saw a pair of 8:57 3200s to win big
invites, Lockhart was a victim of mono before FL outdoor. In fact,
since his 4:08 mile as a sophomore at the 2000 Foot Locker outdoor,
he's had some ups and downs. After finishing runner-up at McAlpine
last fall (15:07), 13th at nationals was a disappointment. Before
his outdoor successes, he was nipped at the tape by Curtis in a
Nike Indoor mile he seemed certain to win.
But this fall has been one of quiet power. Though he hasn't faced
anyone of consequence outside Virginia, the Handley HS senior has
been faster than ever, winning another AA title (15:10) and going
as fast as 14:42 in another race.
"I choose not to race much early in the season because I was
still running high mileage in September and my ultimate goal is
Foot Locker," he says. "I have never traveled much during
the CC season and usually stay low-key until Foot Locker. (But)
I have been very pleased with my progress. I am consistently 15-20
seconds faster than last year with running almost twice the mileage
(60-70 compared to 40-50)."
Meanwhile, Kentucky's Curtis ate up the biggest headlines to start
the year. He took both Great American meets by topping Alan Bader
with a 15:29 in San Francisco, and outrunning Thorne with a 15:09
in Charlotte (Invitational race). Later, the St. Xavier HS junior
blasted a nation-leading 14:41.
Curtis was a bit of a surprise as a soph last year when he was 5th
at FL South (15:11) and 10th at nationals (15:16). When he added
the Nike Indoor mile title, everyone knew him. Now, as much as anyone,
he bears the role of national favorite.
"Racing in the Great American meets, I didn't taper or anything,
so mentally it was kind of draining, but I doubt it will affect
how I run now," he says. "As far as Foot Locker, it's
been more playing catch-up then tapering, with the time I had to
take off with a sinus infection, but I have to be positive and view
it as a break I needed. Regionals is nothing but qualifying; it's
all about nationals."
Thorne's season has included the tough battle with Curtis (15:15),
wins at the Georgia AAAAA state meet and the Furman Invite, and
a 14:41 to boot. Thorne was 4th at FL South last year (15:09) and
12th at nationals (15:17), then claimed the FL outdoor 2K steeple
title in his first race in the event. But even with his successes,
some recent health problems and the strength of the region has the
Lakeside HS senior wary.
"At state my back was hurting, causing a tight hamstring,
and later I had bronchitis," he says. "But things are
a lot better now. It's been a decent season so far, but not great.
And this Saturday … you can't get ahead of yourself. The South
is crazy. You've got to be on top of your game."
A stable of other stars from around the region will be looking
to claim the other five spots, or maybe even one of the top three.
Florida
Some of the strongest challenges could come from Florida, where
Rolf Steier, Ryan Deak and Steve Hassen have been beating up on
each other all year. Super sophomore Deak claimed one of the year's
first jewels, taking the Great American Race of Champions (15:12),
but has since endured some narrow losses to Steier, including the
1A state meet last week (both 15:35 in kicker's race). Meanwhile,
Hassen had the best time of the day, running 15:12 to win the 3A
race.
"This season, Hassen beats Deak, Hassen beats Steier, Deak
beats Steier, Steier beats Hassen, Steier beats Deak … it's
rather confusing," says Flrunner.com's Byrne. "I think
Ryan has the best shot, but Rolf is definitely peaking at the right
time."
Deak himself also notes the benefits of the competition he's had.
"I love racing these guys," he says. "They are great
guys. When we race hard together we are only making ourselves better.
Steier and I have been racing for years. It has definitely made
me better and more aware as a runner."
Regarding Great American and his national prospects, the Maclay
student adds, "I am pleased with my season so far. Great American
was a huge confidence booster. It showed me if I stayed relaxed
and mentally tough, I can do anything that I put my mind to. Winning
it had never crossed my mind … it just happened. So anything
is possible. This has to be the toughest South regional in a long
time. It's going to take 15:05 or less to qualify."
The top FL South returnee from Florida last year is actually Matt
Cianciulli (18th), though he's been a bit of a mystery man this
fall, and others like Eric Beights, Lee Yaracs, Nick Wilson and
Daniel Parker should be in contention, too.
Alabama
Another tough fight for state dominion took place this year with
Scott Fuqua and Tyler Stanfield in Alabama. Fuqua outdueled the
Texas transplant by 26 seconds in the state 6A meet Nov. 12, leading
his Oak Mountain team to the state title, but the two traded major
wins in the state all year. Stanfield (Homewood HS) is actually
the highest returning non-qualifier from FL South last year (11th),
while Fuqua was 14th.
"Having Ty here in Alabama has been great; he is a great guy
and an incredible athlete," says Fuqua. Regarding his own season
and his chances, he adds, "I have been pleased with the way
my season has gone. Winning (the state title) as a team was the
most important thing to me. Making the team to Orlando would be
great, but it is going to be very tough to do. As far as I know,
no one from Alabama has ever made it. I hope that Ty or myself will
be able to change that."
North Carolina
In North Carolina, rising star Matt DeBole has been making headlines
all year. As a soph, he was 94th at FL South, but the Mt. Tabor
HS junior has rocketed up the list with a season climaxed by a record
15:01 to win the 4A state title. Little less of a threat for a top
eight spot will be Milos Mitric, a senior newcomer (Asheville HS)
who won the 3A crown in 15:10.
Other contenders include North Meck stars Jeff Gosselin (4A runner-up,
37th FL South) and Kalib Wilkinson (4th 4A), and Wes Boone (27th
FL South).
Virginia
Virginia has a dizzying plethora of other standouts after Lockhart,
four of whom placed between 15th and 26th at FL South last year.
Fleet Hower was the last of those four, but the second fastest in
the 2001 state meet overall (15:24 in Class AA) behind Lockhart.
Daniel Kane, with a 15:33 for 3rd in AA, is another threat, while
John Crews in 4th (15:44) had the highest FL South finish of the
group last year (15th). A conservative 5th (assuring a team title)
was Bryce Ruiz, who beat many of the others during the year (and
was injured last fall).
The other heavies come from AAA. Alex Tatu took that race (15:42),
beating Matt Keally (17th FL South) and John Piersol (22nd FL South).
Kippy Keino, the Independent School champ, is yet another threat.
Texas
From Texas, 5A champ (15:18) Brian McKinstry leads the challenge,
having improved significantly from his 38th at FL South last year.
The Dobie senior won that Nov. 10 event by 18 seconds over Frank
Lozano, another prime contender. Class 4A champ Leonel Manzano has
to be taken seriously, along with runner-up Rob Morrow, whose 24th
at FL South last year makes him the highest returnee.
Other South Boys
Other state champs sure to be in the mix are Andy Baksa from Tennessee
and Jake Raines from Mississippi. You can also count on Kentucky's
Issac Lafond (25th FL South) to battle for a spot.
Foot Locker South
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