A National Championship contending cross country program must possess a true front runner and a strong pack, Timpview has both. Led by individual standout Jonathan Nelson the Timpview XC squad take there hardened race experience into Tempe, AZ on the heralded NXN Southwest course with the hopes of emerging with a National Championships berth.
Having competed against National #1 North Central at the Bob Firman Invitational to begin the season, defeating the heralded Alta program, Timpview has solidified themselves as a true contender against some of the top programs in the country. The 2008 Southwest Region XC Championships should be a barn burner, in many respects possessing some of the deepest talented teams in Southwest Region history. As reported on Dyestat the Southwest Region meet has traditionally produced some of the top programs in the nation with all four Southwest teams finishing in the top 10 at last years finals.
Nelson breezed through the state course in 15:17, one of the top five individual performances all-time, ranking up there with some sound company including National finalists Josh Rohatinsky, Luke Puskedra, and Stephen Clark. A further indicator of Nelson's talent came early in the season at the Bob Firman Invitational when he defeated Nat#1 North Central's standout Andrew Kimpel. Kimpel recently placed 4th in the NXN Northwest Region Championship. What is clear is that Nelson is an individual favorite at the NXN Southwest Region Championships. He will lead his team as they seek a National Team berth, in the process, Jonathan Nelson could find himself as a leading contender for an NXN Individual National Championship.
At the Utah State Championships, Timpview posted one of the fastest team times in course history. Dating back to 1998 the Utah State course has stood as the standard of excellence for Utah teams vying for National exposure. For good reason, since 1998, Utah has produced 3 National Champions and two NTN top five finishing teams. Timviews total team time on the state course is an indicator that this senior dominated team is a legit title contender.
Utah State Championships Course Map (courtesy UHSTCA Vice President Timo Mostert)
Boys New State Course (1998- )Top Team Times (5 runner cumulative)
80:20 Alta 5A-1 2008
80:24 Mountain View 5A-1 1999 *National Champions/ 2nd in some polls
80:35 Timpview 4A-1 2008
80:36 Mountain View 4A-1 2002 *National Champions
81:15 Mountain View 5A-1 1998 *National Champions
Interview with Timpview Head Coach Monte Marshall. Coach Marshall is no stranger to National Championship contending programs. Having competed for Jeff Arbogast's dominant Bingham Cross Country National Championship program in the early 90's. Marshalls senior season, his squad at Bingham would finish ranked #4 Nationally. bringing the wealth of experience, a true passion for the sport to Timpview High. It is no wonder Timpview stands poised to compete for a NXN National Championship berth.
MilesplitUT- Coach Marshall, please talk about your own personal track and XC background, from
your first involvement to your getting into coaching.
Coach Marshall-My earliest memories of running are of my parents taking me to the local track. I was only 4 or 5 at the time and would run around while they would put in several laps. I ran my first 10K at age 8 and was hooked. I competed on Bingham High School's nationally ranked cross country team from 1988-1991. I received a scholarship to run at Southern Utah University and was part of several conference championships from 1992-1998 (I took 2 years off after my freshman year for a church mission in Belgium).
I have always had a passion for running. I have also always had a real desire to make a difference in the lives of young people. My coaching career began in 1999 at Escalante High School in Southern Utah where I was the head track and cross country coach for three years. During those first years of coaching, I earned a masters degree in psychology and then accepted a counseling position at Timpview High School where I had the great opportunity of coaching side-by-side with one of the winningest coaches in high school history, Brian Kuhlmann, for 6 years. He was the head boys coach and I was the head girls coach. He retired last year and I took on the head coaching position for both teams.
MilesplitUT-Timpview has always had a strong running tradition, these past few years Timpview has been a dominant force within the 4A division, Utah State, and Regionally, what is Timpview doing that has caused such amazing success?
Coach Marshall- I believe one big reason for Timvpiew's success is due to the team's ability to make training fun. We put in a lot of miles each week along with some very rigorous workouts, and the athletes end each day laughing with each other. They great are friends, and cheer for each other. The girls share in the boys' successes, and the Boys share in the girls' successes. Likewise, the Junior Varsity runners know they play a big role in making the varsity team faster.
MilesplitUT- You had an amazing showing this year three-peating for the 4A State Championship. At the state championships your team posted the fastest team time in meet history, on paper you are as good or better than any of the three National Championship Mountian View teams, what did this win mean to you, your program? Was this a surprise and what are the challenges unique to maintaining or even improving your program?
Coach Marshall- We are in a very unique situation this year. We have five seniors who have extensive experience in big races like the state meet. The runners are very mature this year and so we expected they would only improve upon previous years' results. The state championship was extra special this year because so many of the seniors will be moving on. We aren't too concerned with National rankings, but it is always fun to get some recognition at that level. We are looking forward to an exciting post season.
Next year will be a building year since we will be losing 5 of our top 7 runners. Timpview has experience such situations many times in the past, and it is always fun to see younger athletes rise to the occasion and take on more competitive roles.
MilesplitUT- What are some of the training principles that are the cornerstone of the Timpview program? Off-season/base training? Mileage at different points of the season? Particular favorite workouts?
Coach Marshall- Timpview is a firm believer in summer training. Most of our runners put in 500+ miles over the summer which allows them to handle intense in-season workouts and prevents injury. I have learned a lot from Coach Kuhlmann. Many of the workouts we do were his creation and are definitely unique to Timpview.
MilesplitUT- Utah has rarely seen a team be as dominant as Timpview has been these past few years, what are your expectations and goals heading into NXN Southwest region Championship next week? How eager is your team to line up with US#2 Albuquerque, NM?
Coach Marshall- We are not overly concerned with the post season. Our main focus has always been the state meet. Our athletes have been training well however, and it is always fun to compete against the nation's best teams. We are excited about the NXN team championships. We have a strong front runner, and a solid 2-4. Our # 5 has also steadily improved. I think we are a definite dark horse, but if the stars align we might just surprise some people.
MilesplitUT- When did you know you had a special team this year? Who has been the team leader, what has it been like to have a team so dominant week in and week out? Your senior leadership may be one of the tightest groups in Utah cross history, this bodes well for large championship meets, what have you done to develop such a close nit pack?
Coach Marshall- We have been looking forward to this season for three years now.
Nathan Fletcher has been a consistent leader since his freshman year. Each of the other seniors has shown leadership in various ways this year however. It is special to be lead by Jon Nelson. He is very consistent and brings confidence to the team.
The team runs together. It is very unique to have 7 runners hitting such fast splits in workouts. There is also some friendly competition on a team. I am never quite sure who my #2 or #5 runners will be on a given day.
MilesplitUT- What were your team’s goals coming into this year?
Coach Marshall- To take state and build memories.
MilesplitUT- Has the success of the team this year surprised you, the team?
Coach Marshall- I am continually amazed at the intensity of their workouts. For this reason, I have not been surprised to see them perform so well. They can handle harder workouts than any team I have ever known.
MilesplitUT- What motivates your team to the successes they are achieving?
Coach Marshall- They share a vision. None of them seem as interested in trophies and glory
as doing their very best. They also definitely run for each other.
MilesplitUT- Did they train together in the off-season?
Coach Marshall- Yes, the team met regularly throughout the off-season. We also had a successful and very fun high altitude camp. They trained at over 10000 feet, and enjoyed a nice snowball fight in July. Their camps shirts read: "training at 10k improved my 5K".
MilesplitUT- It looks like you are losing most of your varsity this year, who are your up and comers for next year, could you provide some insight into a few of your young runners?
Coach Marshall- Scott Randall and Joe Moxon are well-prepared to take the lead next
year. Both are extremely competitive and have exceptional work ethic. Several JV runners will come along as well. Isaac Boekweg will certainly play a key role in next year's team. He was consistently
Timpview's top J.V. runner this year. Watch for Tanner Smith, Eric Sheffield, Joseph Larson and Alan Barney to compete for varsity spots as well. Tanner Smith is a brand new runner and will surprise a lot of people next year.
MilesplitUT- What was the highlight of your coaching season this year?
Coach Marshall- The highlight was watching the athletes run well at state. I was very happy for them.
MilesplitUT- What are your thoughts on the success of Alta? It can be argued that the 2008 Alta and Timpview programs are the best the state has ever produced, in your opinion, how does this reflect nationally for the State of Utah?
Coach Marshall- Alta is an exceptionally strong team. I believe they have a good shot at making it to Oregon. It is pretty special to have two teams this competitive in our state.
MilesplitUT- Every team has a memorable moment, what is a moment this season that has defined your team?
Coach Marshall- Nathan Fletcher has struggled with some health problems. Although he has not been able to perform to his potential, and against advice from doctors, Nathan decided to finish out his high school running career. He didn't want to let his team down. This has inspired his teammates to work even harder. Watching Kevin, Raphael, and Nathan finish right together at state was a neat experience.
MilesplitUT- What are your feelings on the NXN Southwest meet, hopw has your team been preparing for this showdown with nationally ranked teams?
Coach Marshall- NXN will be a fun trip. We have put in some real high quality workouts. I feel confident the boys will be prepared to run well. We know we are running against some very strong and solid teams, but we are looking forward to a great showing.
Timpview Boys Cross Country Team:
1. Jonathan Nelson SR *15:17 on Utah State Course; 2. Kevin Kemp SR; 3. Raphael Devonas SR; 4. Nathan Fletcher SR; 5. Scott Randall JR; 6. Joe Moxen SR; 7. Josh Peavler SR
Teams collide on November 22 at the Nike Cross Nationals Southwest Championships in Tempe, AZ. Teams will compete for two automatic berths to Nike Cross Nationals Team Championship. Competition will take place on the famed NXN Portland Meadows course. What we know is that Utah teams race well at NXN. Timpview looks to add to an impressive season as the they travel to face nationally ranked #4 Albuquerque NM (2007 Nat#2), Nat #15 Los Alamos NM, Nat #21 Cibola NM, and Nat #25 Alta UT.