Utah State XC Championships: 3A Boys Preview

Oct 21, 2013

Garrett Marsing of Carbon is the Favorite in the 3A Boys - Photo by Kyle Perry

The 3A classification might get the stigma of a “Smaller Classification”, but those who know Utah XC history know that the 3A Boys State title often the most difficult title to win. With runners like Ben Saarel, Luke Puskedra, Jordan Cross, Patrick Smyth, and more, the 3A Boys have proven that the only number that matters is the time on the clock. 3A runners have the fastest 2 times ever run on the current state course.

This season, the 3A looks a little different than years past. With Judge, Wasatch, and Ogden, as well as others, moving up to 4A, the remaining 3A powerhouses will have new rivals to battle for the state title.

Desert Hills looks to capitalize on the changes. They were 3^rd last year, and they look considerably better this season. Even though they graduated 3 of their scoring 5 last season, They went to the BYU Autumn Classic and knocked off a long list of teams that have run very well this season. They showed they are the favorite for 3A again when they dominated the Cedar Invitational. Their success is largely in part to their 1-5 split. They have run with an average split of just 32 seconds, and have trimmed that to as little as 23 seconds (Nebo Invite).

Desert Hills cross town rival Pine View looks to be one of their biggest competitors for the 2013 state title. They have raced head to head quite a few times, and though Desert Hills has consistently found a way to beat Pine View, they haven’t been separated by much. Pine View will have a chip on their shoulder and will try to make the slight adjustments to take the victory over the Thunder of Desert Hills.

Stansbury is another of our teams to watch. Led by Jaden Torgerson and Piercen Maez, Stansbury will look for their place on the podium, but will have to hold off the likes of Cedar and Park City.

Individually, Garrett Marsing of Carbon has stolen the show this season. He is the only athlete in the Classification to run under 15 minutes this season, which he did at the Westlake Classic. He won the SUU invite, and was near the front at the Nebo invite, BYU Autumn Classic, and Murray invite as well. He has run well against the best in the state all season long, and will look to separate himself from the rest of the competition. Josh Mcphie is another name to watch. In his quest to earn a team state championship he may be able to will his way into the mix with Marsing. Taylor Able and Byron Warby of Pine View look to pick up points on Desert Hills anywhere they can, and they will be fighting for Podium places as well.

3A Meet Simulation-

Desert Hills- 31

Pine View-71

Stansbury- 94

Cedar- 103

Park City- 134

1- Garrett Marsing- Carbon

2- Joshua Mcphie- Desert Hills

3- Taylor Abel- Pine View

4- Byron Warby- Pine View

5- Ben Powell- Desert Hills

6- Jaden Torgersen- Stansbury