NXN National Championships
December 1, 2008 @ Portland Meadows
Nationally Ranked #15 Alta Hawks Sojourn to Portland Meadows
The 2008 Nat#15 Alta Hawks cross country team has become accustomed to defying the odds and rising to the top. The Utah State Champions, arguably the greatest boys team in Utah history, travel to the Nike Cross National Championships this weekend to compete for a National Team Championship. If we are to believe the pre-race prognosticators, as the Hawk Coach Rob Murphy (pictured left) stated, "Based on the pre-race prognosticators you would think we shouldn't even show-up." But alas, this has been the driving force and motivation for a dominant Hawks team all season. Each week Alta has risen to the occasion proving the skeptics wrong.
Some History
At the end of the 2007 season Alta was ranked as a NXN bubble team. Returning 6 of 7 varsity runners it was anticipated the Hawks would enter the 2008 season at worst a bubble team. However, this was not the case as the Hawks were not even ranked. It begged the question, why? This blatant slight by the national rankers fueled the fire for a determined Alta cross country program. The Hawks began an unprecedented demolition of Utah competition. After several 50 point blowouts in major Utah invitationals Alta finally got noticed, ultimately rising to #3 in the NXN Southwest poll prior to the NXN Southwest Region Championship.
At the 2008 Utah State Cross Country Championships, the Hawks destroyed the heralded Utah State Course Record with a team time of 80:20. A time superior to three previous National Championship teams from Utah. A sign of things to come. In a NXN SW Region Championship preview we listed Alta as a threat for the team title, however few on the National Ranking Committee gave Alta a shot instead promoting AZ and New Mexico teams. Boy were they wrong! Utah State Championships Story
At the SW Region Championship Alta stormed to a 2nd place showing, earning a automatic berth to the NXN National Championships; narrowly losing to Nat#4 Albuquerque Academy. What is more interesting, in the midst of qualifying, the team and coach felt strongly their performance was only a B+ effort. Defying the skeptics the Alta Hawks proved they are a legitimate threat for a National Championship and every bit worthy of the hype coming out of Utah.
Top Utah Team Times - Top 5 Cumulative 5000m @ NXN Southwest
81:16 Alta 2nd 2008
81:37 American Fork 4th 2008
81:39 Timpview 7th 2008
81:48 Orem 7th 2007
83:07 American Fork 10th 2007
83:11 Davis 8th 2008
In a state predominantly above 4500 feet elevation and seemingly off the national radar the Alta Hawks proved once again that Utah teams are a force to be reckoned. Producing top teams in U.S. history, one would speculate more recognition would be accredited. One would speculate that any team running an average of 16 minutes for 5000m at this altitude would be a threat anywhere in the country. Thankfully rankings are meaningless and competition is all that matters. The Alta Hawks were recently ranked #15 in the Milesplit National XC Rankings, and #16 in the Harrier National Rankings and look to improve upon this national position. NXN SW Region Championship Story
The 2008 NXN Bound Team
We had a chance to visit with the NXN darkhorse Alta Hawks, speak with the athletes and coach. What we found out was that Alta enjoys being the underdogs and strive to prove the skeptics wrong. The Hawks team shared the highlight of their year so far and how they feel about heading to NXN Nationals. What is clear, this team is well grounded, keeps it fun, and wants to do well.
Blake Bartholomew: Senior, personal best: 16:50 (5K) "The moment we found out we placed 2nd (at NXN SW Regionals) and made it to Nationals was a thrill! I'm totally stoked to face the best in the nation and see how we compare. We think that we are good enough to spurprise many and place high at Nationals. The overall social experience along with the challenging course is gonna be a blast!"
Zach Evans: Junior, personal best: 16:50 (5K) "The highlight of my season was being able to run alongside these great runners. It's going to be fun and exciting to go to NXN Nationals and run against top notch teams. This season has been great for me. I started this season out battling to be the number one J.V. Then I had a breakthrough at region and earned a varsity spot. Winning state was an unforgettable experience right along with NXN Southwest. I'm grateful and honored to just run on such an amazing team."
Brian Howell: Junior, 16:19.6 @ SW Regional "I think placing 2nd at NXN SW was the highlight of our season mainly because it was like we proved to ourselves and everyone else our potential. I am way excited for Nationals and the opportunity to run at the highest level. I am very excited to be able to take the tour of Nike Headquarters. Our team goal is to place in the top 5!"
Garrett Jones: Junior, 16:14.8 @ SW Regional " The highlight of my season so far was my performance at state placing 3rd overall (15:52.9 5K). I felt I could have run better at the SW Regionals, I think we deserve a shot in the championship and know that we will do our best. Whatever happens we'll enjoy the experience and be proud of our effort. I personally want the team to place in the top 3. I am excited to race teams across the country and see how we compare and represent the Southwest Region and Utah!"
Ryan Fuller: Sophomore, 17:58 @ Utah Region Championships "Winning state for the first time was the highlight of my season. I think our guys can do really well at nationals. I personally am trying to break my best time. Just the fact that I get to go excites me. I have been constantly improving my times this year. I started out at a time of 21:32 and got it down to 17:58, I will be the alternate 8th man at NXN National Championships."
Kyle Moffet: Senior, 16:16.9 @ SW Regional "The highlight for me has been getting to go to Nationals. We all thought that we'd placed fourth or fifth at the SW Regionals, so we were surprised to get second. We really felt it was a B+ effort and know we could have ran better...possibly beating Albuquerque. I am honored to be allowed to go to NXN, and I'm really grateful that Nike does this program for the athletes. I hope that each of our runners run their best race and if that happens I'll be happy with whatever place we get. This season has been awesome! When I started running four years ago, our team barely went to state and we've been steadily progressing over the years. The team has bonded and created memories that we will remember for the rest of our lives."
Parker Snydergaard, Senior, 16:28.6 @ SW Regional "We have been running together for the past 3-4 years and it was great being able to get our State Championship. NXN was on the side just to see what we could do. The highlight was getting second at NXN Southwest. We thought we did not race our best and when they called 1st, 3rd, and 4th we were really discouraged. They really surprised us with the second place. It was aweesome and I am way excited for Portland. It's awesome to be able to go to this race with all my buds. I believe if we race well, we could definitely be in the top 5!"
Jack Webster, Senior, 15:56.4 @ SW Regional "The highlight so far has been competing in the NXN Southwest Regionals and getting second, it was a huge competition. I would like us to prove all the people who think we shouldn't be there wrong. I hope that we will make it in the top 10, possibly in the top 5! Our team is awesome, cool, and funny. Things have really blossomed this year for us, it's nice to have some gratification for the past 3 1/2 years of work. Winning state was our goal, the rest of this success has just been extra awesomeness!"
2008 Alta Accomplishments
Utah State XC Championships - The 2008 Utah State Championships will go down as one of the greats. Alta posted a total team time of 80:20 over the heralded course designed in part by Utah coaching legend Ben Stowell in 1998. The new Utah State Championship course has been the standard of excellence for dominant teams looking for National recognition.
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 *Qualifies for 2008 NXN National Championships
80:24 Mountain View 5A-1 1999 *National Champions/#2 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
81:17 Mountain View 5A-1 2005 *#5 NTN National Championships
81:22 American Fork 5A-2 2008 *4th @ NXN Southwest Region Championships
81:22 Mountain View 4A-1 2004 *#5 NTN National Championships
NXN Southwest Region Championships - Alta ran neck and neck with pre-race favorite Albuquerque NM finishing 2nd in team scoring with 172 points behind Albuquerque's 156. By order of finish Albuquerque NM edged Alta 26-29 in duel format scoring, what this means, Alta is a true team and will be a force to be reckoned with at the Nike Cross Nationals. If history is any indication of what is to come Alta has solidified themselves as a true contender with previous SW qualifying teams consistently finishing in the top ten at NXN. Alta NXN Southwest Pre-race Preview
The Coach: Rob Murphy
The Team: Jack Webster 15:56.44; Garrett Jones 16:14.82; Kyle Moffet 16:16.91; Brian Howell16:19.60; Parker Snydergaard 16:28.59; Blake Bartholomew 17:07.26; Zach Evans 17:25.58
NXN Southwest Boys Championship Results
1. Albuquerque NM 156 Team time: 80:58
2. Alta UT 172 (81:16)
3. Cibola NM 190 (81:20)
4. Cavemen UT 195 *39 seconds behind Alb in total team 81:37