Sunday, November 11, 2012

Varsity Cross Country

Carrollton, State Cross Country Meet - From Coach Norton:

After 3 years of getting individual qualifiers to State, both Oglethorpe's boys and girls cross country teams had the honor of experiencing the State Meet this weekend. On Friday, they previewed the State course, which was made even more difficult this year with several leg killing hills. They woke up Saturday ready to finish out the best season they've had collectively in several years. The goal for the boys was a top 10 team finish and for the girls a top 20 team finish. When it was all said and done the Boys finished 11th and the Girls finished 18th.

Sid Wightman once again led the charge for the boys. Though he battled sickness all week and had a hard fall on the course, he gutted out a 24th place finish. Behind him was Quinton Nash and Abe Tompkins finishing in the 70s and Otoniel Padilla, Brandon Pinto, Garrett McCormack, and Ezra Underwood. On average, the boys times were a minute slower than usual, showing just how difficult the State course was. Though they didn't finish in the top 10, where they were ranked for much of the season, 11th out of 32 teams sure isn't bad for a team consisting of 4 freshmen and 3 juniors.

The girls were led once again by the duo of Sarah Chastain and Jordan Pringle. Following them was runner Jeri Willcox, Vivi Diaz, Natalie Doker, Brianna Basinger, and Jojo Diaz. Like the boys times, the intimidating hills of the State course took a bite into their times but the result was still very strong. Out of 30 teams, the girls placed 18th. The girls will lose senior Jeri Willcox, but should bounce back strongly next year in hopes of making it back to back State appearances.

Running in the OC is looking really good in the next couple years not only for Cross Country, but track as well. For many of these runners, soccer is right around the corner where they'll be hoping to go to State twice in the 2012-13 school year. It's been a privilege to coach these fine student-athletes this season and I'm very proud of all their accomplishments.

Until next time...

PS. Soccer conditioning starts after Thanksgiving break

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