Week in Review: September 23 - 29

Cedar XC Invitational

The last time I was in Cedar City with my wife, I recall irritating her with constant questions. One question was, "Cedar City?" Another was, "Cedar trees?" On the way home, I couldn't resist: "Cedar Breaks?" Undoubtedly, if we'd been anywhere near Iron County last weekend, I would have compounded her misery by asking, "Cedar Cross Country Invitational?" By now, you probably understand my wfie's irritation. But, it was a good cross country invitational, and any good cross country invitational is worth seeing, if you can.

I'm not sure what Aimee Bryson is doing with all the cross country medals she's winning this fall, but she surely has an impressive collection by now. The latest was by virtue of a 17:37 three-mile effort (well, actually, 2.95 miles) on her home course. Every point Cedar didn't get ended up being important as the meet title was decided by two points over Salem Hills. 

On the boys' side, Pine View's Michael Finch continued his run of things. Finch does have a serious obstacle coming up at the state meet, but you can't argue with his success to date. His time? 15:07, and very nice.

Desert Hills, however continues to be the southern Utah boys team to beat, They solidified that reputation with a win at this meet.

Chicken Creek Challenge

Outside of Monticello, Utah didn't show up for this race in the mountains of southwestern Colorado. But Monticello is one 1A team you want to be keeping tabs on. The Buckaroo boys went 1-4-5-9 (scoring four) to claim the boys' meet title. Collin Hatch took an individual title on the tough course in 18:40.

Park City XC Invitational

If two or three of your neighbors were gone on Friday afternoon, this is probably where they were. The restaurantuers in Park City were likely dancing in the streets. A thousand or more ravenous teenagers and their traveling companions can make for a good evening at the cash registers.

It also made for a good cross country meet, especially if you were the Herriman boys or the Park City girls. Alta's Kramer Morton nabbed the indivdiual title, but Herriman's Chuk Mitchell and Rory Linkletter made sure nothing sneaked out of Herriman's grasp with 15:17 and 15:25 finishes. Alisse Walker and Annie Orr accomplished much the same thing for Park City after Herriman's Lucy Biles claimed the individual title.

Utah Pre Region 11 Meet

If you were Ogden, this was a feel good, get-your-confidence-back kind of meet. Taking the first seven places in the boys race, and then matching the accomplishment in the girls race has a way of making you feel like you can take on the world. Someone forgot to tell Sarah Feeny and Jordan Cross that they didn't need to go hard at this meet in order to win. Their winning margins were 44 and 34 seconds, respectively. Sometimes, though, if you have the wheels you just gotta run.

Westlake Cross Country Classic

The girls race of this meet had the look of an interesting event until the third finisher came into view. Because, about as soon as the third finisher came into view, it was evident to all that the next six behind her were decked out in the same colors--the familiar red and black of American Fork. In cross country, it's impossible to beat a team score of 25, even if the two displacers from the winning team didn't claim places 8 and 9. American Fork just might have the best pack in the nation. At the very least, they're in the hunt. 

For the boys, Bingham did get a double title between Andrew Brewer and the team scoring. Lone Peak rolled to second, and the second varsity for American Fork nailed down third.