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DyeStat Cross Country 2000
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South Regional |
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Webb, Benton Pave The Way Through McAlpine's Muck
by Stephen (steveu) Underwood
While University of Florida head football coach Steve Spurrier would have been one of the most unlikely visitors to McAlpine Greenway Park Saturday, chances are he would have felt very much at home. For the Greenway this weekend became, like the infamous mentor's home turf, The Swamp.
Thus, those runners who earned their trip to the Dec. 9 Foot Locker National Championships in Orlando, were those who splashed best at the South Regional meet in Charlotte. Those who braved the soaking rain, the 45 degree temperatures and the whipping wind. Those who persevered, who sucked it up and who were impervious to the conditions.
With the weather as the big 'X' factor, the always intriguing blend of the expected and unexpected became even more so. And while heavy favorite Alan Webb and co-favorite Christa Benton took the top spots decisively, the remaining seven qualifiers in each race was a fascinating scramble -- led by Texans.
Though he talked as if he was affected by the weather, Webb nonetheless slashed the McAlpine course record down to 14:43 while recording the biggest margin of victory ever in the South regional (23 seconds). But finishers two through seven then poured in during a span of just eight seconds. Bobby Lockhart and Steven Maddox led that group to repeat their '99 berths, but they were followed by newcomers Joe Thorne, Bobby Curtis, Westly Keating, Mike Swope and Rod Koborsi -- helping to deny three others a second trip to Nationals.
Meanwhile, Benton pushed the pace from the opening mile to win in 17:56, topping fellow Floridian Kara Scanlin by seven seconds. While Jessa Vacek overcame an illness to join Benton as a repeater from 99, the remaining team members were a surprising mix of those who simply stepped up and wanted it the most. They included an incredible three additional runners from the Long Star State -- Candice Kolb, Brooke Stewart and Valerie Lauver -- as well as North Carolina's Laura Stanley and Tennessee's Elizabeth Benson.
More on each race ...
BOYS
Alan Webb glides home on cushion of air
Photo by George Phillips www.ncpreptrack.com
While the masterful Webb seemed affected by the horrible conditions ("This was just cold, cold, cold. My legs were just freezing the whole time."), it was really just an annoyance during another day at the office.
"I just wanted to see what I could do and have a solid race for preparing me for nationals," he added. "I was thinking 'win.' I was thinking, 'Go as fast as you can. Take it mile by mile and see what happens.' I was able to pick it up the last half-mile."
Actually, the South Lakes, Va. senior was able to pick it up just before and after the mile mark, too, as he chose to surge away from a moderate pace. At 4:45 for the first mile, he had five ticks on a group that would choose the last kilo before really sorting themselves out.
But there was one who went with Webb as long as he could, a surprise who set the tone for what became the most prosperous state in the meet. Texan Westly Keating (Pharr HS), fourth in the Texas 5A state meet 52 seconds behind Koborsi and 30 seconds behind Maddox, was the most daring. And it paid off, as he held on for 6th in 15:13.
Meanwhile, an unlikely -- and successful -- alliance was forged by Lockhart (Handley HS, Va.) and Maddox (The Colony HS, Texas). It paid off with Lockhart giving Virginia a 1-2 finish and Maddox notching another top-three finish.
"We agreed we'd run together ... (and we thought) there was no reason we shouldn't make it," said Maddox, who said that getting second to Koborsi in Texas state a few weeks ago "fired him up" for this race. "With 1000 meters to go, Swope and Lockhart took off and we all started pushing it."
At the end, Lockhart's 4:08 miler's form prevailed,15:07-15:08. "He's got a lot of speed," Maddox admitted. Florida 4A state champ Swope (Winter Park HS) wound up 7th in 15:14, surviving best of several major hopefuls from his state.
While the performances of Thorne (Lakeside HS) and Curtis (St. Xavier HS) -- 4th and 5th in 15:09 and 15:11 respectively -- weren't as unexpected as Keating's, they were dramatic confirmations of what the Georgia and Kentucky running communities had known all year.
Though used to running tougher courses in the high 15:00s, Thorne adjusted nicely to the faster turnover, even in the nasty weather. "I just wanted to get near the front," he said, noting feeling relaxed through a 4:50. "Actually, the first mile-and-a-half felt a little slow. It's definitely the flattest course I've run this year and I knew it was going to be quick. I was happy to get in a faster race than I've had in Georgia."
Equally surprising were those 99 qualifiers who didn't make it this time around. Sean and John Jefferson of Florida were 13th and 34th respectively, while Stephen Haas of North Carolina was 33rd.
GIRLS
Christa Benton in command after 1 mile
Photo by George Phillips www.ncpreptrack.com
Despite seeming to have a physique most vulnerable to the torrents, Benson (Keswick Christian HS, Fla.) threw herself into the wind and rain to the tune of a 6-second lead by the mile (5:30). She wouldn't extend it much, but it was more than enough.
"I didn't know what the race would be like," she said.. "I just trust in the Lord."
While the Florida senior agreed the conditions were the worst she'd run in this year, they didn't seem to deter her from taking the race by the scruff of its neck. But there was apparently no specific strategy, just her natural style at work. "I didn't think about it much ... I'm just glad to go back to Orlando."
After the stunning finish of Scanlin (Episcopal HS, Fla.), a decisive second in 18:03, Texans swept four of the next six spots. Vacek (South Lake Carroll HS) was one of the pre-race favorites, but had to run on heart and courage after flu-like symptoms barely allowed her to get to the starting line.
Her happy post-race disposition belied her motivation. "I just wanted it real bad," she said.. "I wanted to go to Orlando again because it was so much fun last year."
Kolb (Cedar Park HS), flushed like the rest with the effort of the day plus the ponderous filling out of the forms in the Foot Locker tent, laughed when asked about her pre-race strategy. "I just wanted to stay with the lead pack ... and try and run with Jessa. This is just such a shock!"
Kolb had outkicked North Carolina's Laura Stanley (Carolina Day HS, N.C.) for third, both running 18:07. Then Brooke Stewart (A&M Consolidated HS, Texas) became the only sophomore on the team with her stunning 18:16.
Probably speaking for several of her new South teammates, Stanley agreed that being somewhat lesser known had its advantages. "It helped, knowing there was no pressure."
After Vacek, Benson (Gattalin HS, Tenn.) represented for the Volunteer State with her18:20 in 7th. Fourteen seconds later, Lauver (Allen HS) completed the Lonestar quartet by outkicking Virginians Kelly Swain and Jean Addison.
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