DXC Update - State Championships

Darts -
As you know, the state meet was not quite the outcome we were hoping for, but there were so many positive things that happened last Wednesday. . .
For the girls, we ran the 3rd fastest team time in the 17 year history of the course (93:19). Only our record time last year (92:27) and the AF girls this year have run faster. Basically, our girls team would have won against ANY other school from ANY other division ANY other year on that course. To put things in perspective, our first state championship ever was in 2007 (a team that went on to finish 9th at NXN). If our girls this year ran in that race, we would have beat our 2007 team 36-72 (3rd place would have been 123). In 2010 (the first year of our 4 year streak), this year's team would have won the state championships with a record 25 points.
Aubrey Argyle had an outstanding race to finish 2nd overall with 17:43 - she almost pulled off the upset and was only 2 seconds away from the victory. Her time is the 7th fastest all-time on the course, the 2nd fastest sophomore time ever run on the course, and the fastest EVER from Davis. In just 2 seasons, Aubrey has established herself as our best XC runner ever. Ally Geisler also had a tremendous day. She ran a patient race and pulled away from the chase pack over the final 1200m of the race to finish 3rd in 18:04. Her time is the 20th fastest ever run on the course, the 5th best sophomore time ever, and the 2nd best EVER from Davis. Sam Hedquist finished strong for us, dipping under 19:00 with 18:57 (#21 on our all-time list). Josey was our 4th finisher with 19:13 for 20th and her best race of the season. Miah Weaver fought with everything she had to finish in 19:21 as our #5 - it may not have been her day, but she still gave her very best. Grace Neuenschwander wasn't far behind with 19:28 (25th) and a very solid 1st state XC appearance. And Tatum Beard, who has been trying to workout and race on a hip injury, fought hard as well for her finish in 20:10. It is a young group of girls, with 6 girls who were in their first state meet ever. We learned a lot, and we most definitely gave a ton of HEART. It is that same heart and determination that will help us to bounce back and have a strong race at NXN Southwest in 4 weeks.
These girls have had an incredible season - undefeated up to this point - ranked in the top 10 in the U.S., and they are truly champions in the way they run and the way they act.

Our boys also ran a very positive race when it is put in perspective. We only missed our team time record by :15 seconds (3 seconds per runner) - a record that was set in 2011 by the TEAM that finished 3rd at NXN. We ran the 7th fastest team time ever on the course (behind the past 5 AF teams and our 2011 team). We last won a boys title in 2007 - and although we have had some incredible years since then (including 4 NXN TEAMS) - the team this year would have beat our 2007 team 27 to 100 (we would have put 4 boys in the top 5 of that race). Cross country in Utah has become extremely competitive over the past 6-7 years. We really are racing against the best teams in the country. I think it drives us to be better, and it is important to keep our performance in perspective. Basically we rock!
Stokton ran a strong race for 5th. He was gutsy and he stayed tough over the final half when it got hard. His time of 15:31 ranks #3 on our all-time list. Logan MacKay moved from 22nd to 8th over the final 800m of the race to earn all-state honors, and to run 15:43 - which is our #5 all-time mark and our fastest junior time ever run. Colton Rimann ran tough for the TEAM to finish 12th in 15:48 - our #9 all-time mark and #3 junior mark ever run. Josh Ward had a hard day, but didn't stop fighting - finishing 13th in 15:49. Mark my words, he will be back. Josh ran the Davis #10 all-time mark, giving us 4 boys in our top 10 all-time. Camren Todd has been outstanding for us all year and once again came through as our #5 guy in 16:23 (the 5th fastest Davis sophomore ever). Cam was the #7 sophomore in the race, and I know is determined to just keep getting better. Colter Blanchard finished very strong as our #6 guy. Colter has only had 2 1/2 weeks of training coming back from a shin stress fracture - and already he is starting to show some great strength and improvement. His 16:41 is an outstanding starting point, but he is just going to get faster as well. And Frasier Williamson wrapped up our top 7 with a 16:54 (#10 sophomore in the race) - it was a great experience for our young guys to learn from for the future.
The boys (just like the girls), have truly shown their character in the way they have raced and the way they have acted all season long. I am very proud of both TEAMs and the progress and growth that we have shown. We can be proud of our finishes because we gave our very best.
In addition to our awesome performances on the course, we also had the BEST cheering section in the history of the meet. Way to go TEAM for providing so much energy and excitement for those who were racing. Thanks to friends and family for all the support and all the cheering at the state meet and throughout the year.
Also a huge congrats to our Academic All-State winners - Nathaniel Neubert, Jordan Barnett, and Josey Hedquist (it took a 4.0 cumulative to make it).

Girls Results
2. Aubrey Argyle 17:43
3. Ally Geisler 18:04
18. Sam Hedquist 18:57
20. Josey Hedquist 19:13
23. Miah Weaver 19:21
25. Grace Neuenschwander 19:28
41. Tatum Beard 20:10
Team Scores
1. American Fork 46
2. Davis 58
3. Jordan 122
4. Herriman 131
5. Lehi 164
6. Lone Peak 168
7. Weber 188

Boys Results
5. Stokton Smith 15:31
8. Logan MacKay 15:43
12. Colton Rimann 15:48
13. Josh Ward 15:49
33. Camren Todd 16:23
44. Colter Blanchard 16:41
54. Frasier Williamson 16:54
Team Scores
1. American Fork 33
2. Davis 69
3. Lehi 119
4. Westlake 124
5. Lone Peak 137
6. Alta 178
7. Weber 202

*Full Results can be found at www.runnercard.com

As we move forward, it is important that we approach the next 4 weeks of training with a mission to be 100% prepared for our best races at Nike Southwest. We are taking 50 of our athletes on the trip, and we want to see 50 PRs. Not only that, we encourage as many of you who can to work out with us through that time. We need to work with purpose, unity, and heart. Commit to being there with a positive attitude and a determination to make your teammates better for all 4 weeks.

Important Items:
24 Hour Run - Due to state football playoffs, we are going to have to schedule the 24 hour run for Friday-Saturday (November 7-8). We will send out more details.

TEAM Pictures - Wednesday (October 29th) after school - Bring your uniforms! We will take the pictures at Fiesta right after the 9th graders get there (9th graders hurry!)

TEAM Party/Banquet - Thursday, November 13 at 6:00pm at the school. More details to come.

NXN Southwest - Saturday, November 22nd

Thank you all for an outstanding season. I am really glad that we still have a few more races in front of us before we move on to track. It has truly been a pleasure to work with each of you and to be inspired by you. Thanks as well to the best coaching staff ever (Brad Anderson and Paul Timothy) and thanks to the greatest parents on the planet!!

~Coach Talley