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Few programs have had more success in recent year's than American Fork out of Provo, Utah. Led by Casey Clinger, 8th at NXN in 2014, they look to return to Portland as they have each of the past six years. With a powerful 1-2 punch of Clinger and McKay Johns, they are poised to be a top team in the nation this year.
The Facts
Team: American Fork
City: American Fork
Coach: Timo Mostert (Entering 18 Seasons at American Fork, 28th year coaching )
2014 NXN Place: 5th (4 Returners)
Top Returner: Casey Clinger, 8th @ NXN
Top NXN Finish: 2nd, 2012
Top Returnees from 2014 XC Season (3 Miles at Altitude)
1) Casey Clinger 14:51.10 2) Mckay Johns 15:05.20 3) Hagen Harmer 15:33.10 4) Joe Simmons 15:37.60 5) Jason Manning 16:22.60 Average Time: 15:29.92 Total Time: 1:17:29.60 1-5 Split: 1:31.50 6) Tony Jeffs 16:43.70 7) Jared Anderson 16:59.00
Top Returning 1600m Times from 2015 Outdoor Season
| 1) Mckay Johns | 4:12.97 | |||
| 2) Casey Clinger | 4:13.37 | |||
| 3) Joe Simmons | 4:33.45 | |||
| 4) Patrick Larkin | 4:33.81 | |||
| 5) Jason Manning | 4:37.88 | |||
| Average Time: 4:26.30 Total Time: 22:11.48 1-5 Split: 24.91 | ||||
| 6) Hagen Harmer | 4:50.31 | |||
| 7) Tony Jeffs | 4:53.32 | |||
Top Returning 3200m Times from 2015 Outdoor Season
| 1) Casey Clinger | 9:03.84 | |||
| 2) Mckay Johns | 9:05.52 | |||
| 3) Joe Simmons | 9:41.57 | |||
| 4) Patrick Larkin | 9:53.28 | |||
| 5) Hagen Harmer | 9:57.76 | |||
| Average Time: 9:32.39 Total Time: 47:41.97 1-5 Split: 53.92 | ||||
| 6) Jason Manning | 9:57.86 | |||
| 7) Tony Jeffs | 10:33.75 | |||
Casey Clinger
Q&A With Coach Mostert
How has summer training been going for your team? What does American fork focus on during the summer months?
Training has been going well. We had our largest boys group ever at XC High Altitude Camp (33). Our major Summer focus is getting a big base of over-distance. Our goal is 750 miles between Memorial and Labor Days, and it looks like we'll have a good bunch achieving that goal.
Who have you been most impressed or surprised with their improvement and/or fitness from their summer training?
All the returners have shown improvement of 20-60 seconds over last year at our mid-summer community 5k. Casey Clinger just got back from the Nike Elite Camp, which has excited the boys. We also have 3 Freshmen who have looked particularly good this Summer and show some promise.
Who are your team captains or leaders and what stands out about them as examples for the rest of their teammates?
This year's senior captains are Joe Simmons, Hagen Harmer, Jason Manning, and Tony Jeffs. They are all consistent, hard workers who have all learned from our previous senior captains how to lead the team by desire, by word, and by example . Joe, and Hagen went to NXN last year, and broke 10:00, along with Jason, at altitude during track. Casey Clinger and McKay Johns were two of the Nation's top Sophomores last year, and are pulling the rest of the team in workouts to faster times.
What do you attribute as the main reasons for the success of your program?
A great Summer of training, and a smart combination of training and racing during the season and post-season. We also manage to get a group of boys who are willing to train consistently and support each other in their training and racing.
What is the key to having continued success on the high school level?
If you find something that works, keep it. If you find something doesn't work, change it. You also need great support from your parents and administration.
What have you learned in your time as coach of the American Fork team?
Success is contagious. If beginning athletes believe the workouts will actually make them better, you'll get them hooked and they can start contributing to the success of the team. The parade then keeps moving on.
What are some staple workouts the American Fork team does during the season?
We like doing longer repeats such as 6X800, or 5X1000, or 4X1200, or 3X1 mile, preferably on grass.
What are your core beliefs in your training plan and workouts for your cross country squads?
One name: Arthur Lydiard.
Any impactful freshmen or transfers to join the team this season?
As I mentioned, we have 3 freshmen who are looking good. They might not make varsity this year, but they'll be a big part of our success in coming years. Patrick Larkin is a move-in from California last January. He improved during track (4:33 and 9:51 at altitude) and continues to improve.
What do you view as the strength of your team this year?
Once again this year, we don't have large numbers: maybe 30 tops, so we have to rely on consistency in training and leadership from our returners.
Some early national rankings have been coming out and American Fork has been ranked highly - what do think this team is capable of this season?
The boys set their goals for the season at XC Camp. They definitely want to keep the streak of State and NXN Regional championships going (currently at 6 each). If we can stay healthy and make it back to NXN, we have as good a shot as any of our esteemed competitors for the National Title.