Sorry this is out late, but I was abducted by a pirate and witch upon getting home and forced to go in search of candy. A great way to end off a great day.
At Benzie Central HS
The boys stepped up to the plate and ran a great race. Going in we felt like we could win if we ran to our capabilities. On paper we were also slightly favored. But in our only head to head meeting with Gaylord at Portage, we got spanked. We had a really good freshen up workout on Thursday so I think the boys were feeling good about things. We have also been able to avoid the flu that is going around so far. The weather was pretty adverse – mid 30s, high winds and alternating rain, hail and sleet. The flat course held up pretty well for all the rain we have had, with just a few muddy spots. We had to juggle our warm up a little as things got 1/2 hour behind schedule, and the boys managed it very well.
Our starting box was position two down from Gaylord so we knew we would be able to keep an eye on them right from the start. At the gun the race went out fast, very fast. Nick Butcher assumed the lead 200 m in and was laying on the pace. Just past the 1000, Jake Featherstone was positioned nicely in the top 5 with our pack of 3, Sam Schuiteman, Tommy Jewett, and Charlie Fias, grouped in the top 20, intermingled with Gaylord’s pack of 5. Tyler Green was looking good in the 50s, with Calvin Crowley getting a decent start to put him in the 70s. The next time I was able to see the athletes was just before the 3000. At this point Nick was starting to pull away from a couple of freshmen studs, one from Big Rapids the other Cedar Springs. Jake was leading a tightly bunched group of 5 in 5th place. Sam and Tommy were working well together having moved up into 11th and 12th. Charlie had fallen off the pace just a little and was fighting for a place in the top 20. Tyler Green had moved up into the 40s and Calvin was holding position in the 70s. At this point if we could hold it together over the final mile we would win as we had 4 in front of Gaylord’s 1st.
We ran well over the last 1000 to seal the victory. Nick answered some challenges to win by 7 seconds. Jake was unable to hold off the pack but battled well to finish 8th. Tommy and Sam stayed together holding their positions to the line, while Charlie, Tyler and Calvin all had strong finishes to move up in position. Tyler and Calvin both ran PRs, Tyler to break 18:00 and Calvin to break 19:00.
1 Nick Butcher 16:13
8 Jake Featherstone 16:43
11 Tommy Jewett 16:53
12 Sam Schuiteman 16:55
20 Charlie Fias 17:16
37 Tyler Green 17:55
72 Calvin Crowley 18:52
Team Scores
Fremont 52
Gaylord 91
Big Rapids 120
Goals going into the meet were to put 5 in the 16s, 5 in the top 15, and 4 ahead of Gaylord’s 1st. We were close.
These boys and the athletes of the past 8 years have strung together 9 consecutive Regional Championships. I have been pretty lucky to have been able to work with kids willing to put in the hard work to achieve these rewards.
The work continues on as we get ready for the State Championships on Saturday at MIS.
Hope to see you there,
Coach
