Skyridge is ranked #7 in the US based on Tullyrunners preseason speed ratings
The Lehi XC team burst onto the national scene with some outstanding 2015 performances that included a runner up performance at the Utah state meet, and an 8th place finish at the loaded NXN SW Regional. This year, most of the team are making a transition to the newly built Skyridge high school. Below is a Q&A with returning senior Collin Morrison talking about the transition and the season goals for Skyridge. Along with rapid fire questions with five of the returning athletes.
1) Talk about the rise of Lehi in 2015. What came together for you guys last season to help get you to the runner up at state and solid finish at NXN SW?
We have had a pretty young team up until now, and as a group (now seniors), we are just starting to reach our potential, which started to come through last xc season. We didn't have any injured runners and I can't pin down any one thing that made it happen, we just did the work, took our taper seriously, and went in to the races without pressure and feeling confident.
It was nice not having that pressure on us like what was on AF and Davis because of what they've done in the past, so I think that played into our mindset as well.
2) When did you first find out you would be moving to a new school? And what was the teams reaction?
We knew the new school was being built and that we'd have the choice to either stay or move about halfway through last xc season. It was hard because we had to make a choice the week before state, and we knew that Ryan would more than likely stay (since he would be going into his Junior year and at that point only those who were going to be seniors had the choice to move). So it did cause some difficulty among the team because there were some very strong opinions for both staying at Lehi and moving to Skyridge. However, when our coach made her choice to move, that largely decided there the rest of us were going because Jamie has been a phenomenal coach and we've built a relationship with her, which is something we didn't want to mess with going in to senior year.
3) For people not familiar with Utah, explain the new situation for the team this year.
We are in the 4A(Region 7) class this year (5A last year), so at state there are stud teams like Timp and Ogden that we are going to have the opportunity to compete against (as we will throughout the season). This will be a new experience for sure, but I'm excited to see how things play out, and our team is looking very strong. I think an important thing for us to do this season, looking forward to NXN SW, is to be at non-region meets where we can compete against all the great teams at some point, ideally in the same race (AF, Davis, Lone Peak, Timp, Ogden, etc) to see how things are looking before NXN SW.
4) Connor Arnell graduated last year, and Ryan Raff is staying at Lehi this year. They were the 1-2 on the team in 2015. Talk about the depth you guys have, and how it will help the team fill in those missing spots in 2016.
It's been interesting to see how things have played out this summer, especially with those fighting to make varsity. A lot of our guys have made some serious improvement towards the end of track season and going in to summer training. Currently, there are 6 or 7 guys fighting for spots 5-7 on the varsity squad, and they've definitely closed the gap on our top 4 throughout the summer. Ryan and Connor will be missed, but I don't think it will be incredibly difficult to fill those spots and show what our team can do throughout the season. I was studying results from 4A state last year, and we could potentially have all 7 guys in the top 30 at state (this is a very loose prediction, we'll have to see how things play out throughout the season). Also, those who don't quite make the varsity squad will be right on the border, giving us a very very solid JV team.
5) Do you know your season schedule yet? If you will be able to get to any non region meets?
Yes, we'll be at the Highland invitational, Grass Relays, BYU Autumn Classic, Murray Invitational, and the Bob Firman Invitational in Idaho. And then of course NXN SW. So a good chunk of our schedule consists of non region meets, which is something our team is definitely looking forward to.
6) What are the team's goals for 2016 XC?
We are planning on getting together to officially discuss goals relatively soon, but I think it's safe to say at least that we want top 2 at state, if not a state championship, and we want to qualify for NXN in Oregon. Other than those, obviously we want to place well throughout the season, and like I said, we haven't discussed it as a team yet, but I think state and NXN SW will be our main focuses and goals this season.
7) Why is Utah able to produce so many crazy good XC teams?
To be honest I think it's a mystery... I think a lot of things play in to it, altitude being one of them. For whatever reason, the culture, especially in Utah Valley, produces student athletes that are constantly wanting to push their limits and really see what they can do, and XC embodies that mentality. And every once and a while you get a group of kids (not unlike the senior group at skyridge, which has been running together since 7th grade) that sticks together and pushes each other to be the best they can be. I think it's more mentality than anything.
Skyridge XC Rapid Fire Questions:
Collin Morrison, Thomas Heap, Michael Hinckley, Austin Hinckley, Parker Steadman
1) Favorite post-race food?
CM: Cafe Rio
TH: Cafe Rio
MH: Cafe Rio
AH: Cafe Rio
PS: Burritos
2) Favorite movie?
CM: Forever Strong
TH: Pearl Harbor
MH: Cafe
AH: It's not a movie, but the Olympics
PS: Tarzan
3) Track or XC?
CM: XC
TH: XC
MH: XC
AH: XC
PS: XC
4) Best pump up song?
CM: Haha anything that calms me down (I lived by OneRepublic is a favorite)
TH: Mirros - Justin Timberlake
MH: Hall of fame
AH: We own it by 2 Chainz
PS: Hall of fame
5) Toughest Utah athlete to compete against?
CM: Ryan Raff
TH: Ryan Raff
MH: Thom Heaps
AH: Myself
PS: My stomach
6) Olympic event you are most excited to watch?
CM: 5K
TH: 10K
MH: Marathon
AH: 10K, Marathon, 5K, 1500
PS: 100m
7) Favorite track event?
CM: 1600m
TH: 3200m
MH: Mile
AH: 1600m
PS: 1600m
8) Shoe brand?
CM: Saucony
TH: adidas
MH: NIKE
AH: Definitely Saucony!
PS: Nike
9) Best XC Invite?
CM: Bob Firman
TH: Bob Firman
MH: STATE
AH: Foot Locker or NXR, can't decide between those two
PS: Bob Firman
10) Longest run?
CM: 26.2
TH: 16
MH: 11
AH: 11
PS: 12