(Salt Lake City, Utah) Producing nationally ranked teams and individuals, the 2008 Utah cross country season was as memorable as it was exciting. The season began with individual dreams, team ambitions, and national implications. Coming into the season we waited in anticipation on the emergence of multi-youth national champion Danielle Menlove. We watched in awe at the dominance of Timpview, Alta, and American Fork boys teams and the grace of the Davis, Mountain Crest, and Park City girls teams. We witnessed the breakout of timpview senior Jonathan Nelson defending his state championship and earning a berth to Nike Team National Championships.
Milesplit Utah Coach of the Year:
Rob Murphy, Alta High School
Coming into his 3rd season as the leader for the Hawks it was anticipated Murphy would have a great team. Returning 6 of 7 from the 2007 campaign the Hawks entered 2008 largely an unknown. Guiding his team to a 5A State Championship, smashing a 10 year old state championships total team time record in the process, Murphy has directed the Hawks with poise. This directed leadership was rewarded when the Hawks placed 2nd at the NXN Southwest Region Championships while rising as high as #15 Nationally. Murphy currently teaches at Alta High School. (Photo by Margot Kelly, Arizona Milesplit) Read our Interview with Rob Murphy
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Honorable Mention: Timo Mostert, American Fork Head Coach; Monte Marshall, Timpview Head Coach; Corbin Talley, Davis Head Coach
Milesplit Utah Boys Athlete of the Year:
Jonathan Nelson, Timpview High School
Following a stellar 2007 campaign in which Nelson won the 4A State Championship the Thunderbird set his sites on the 2008 season. Coming into the 2008 season it was clear Nelson would be a force to be reckoned with within the State of Utah. A senior season of stellar performances has brought Nelson to the National spotlight.
After winning the prestigous BYU and Bob Firman Invitationals, Nelson breezed through the Utah 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.
With his 2nd place showing at the NXN Southwest Championships Nelson qualified to compete at the Nike Cross National Championships. Nelson becomes the first Utah athlete to qualify in the new NXN individual system putting him at the forefront in a new era for prep cross country. Nelson is coached by Monte Marshall. (Photo by Alan Versaw, Colorado Milesplit)
Read the Jonathan Nelson Story
Timpview Fab-Five lead the way to NXN Southwest
Milesplit Utah Girls Athlete of the Year:
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Danielle Menlove, Jordan High School
Perhaps the greatest freshman in Utah State history the multi-youth national champion added State Champion and All-American to her resume.
Regarded as one of the greatest youth national champions in US history, Menlove entered the 2008 season with high hopes and anticipation. Menlove did not disappoint. Rivaling defending 5A State Champion Shalaya Kipp for most of the season Menlove consistently improved with each meet.
Capping her individual Utah season with a near course record 17:42 (#2 all-time) over the Utah State Championship course, Menlove set her sites on Footlocker West Region Championship. Previewed as a potential darkhorse Menlove rose to the occasion placing 3rd and qualifying for the Footlocker National Championships.
At the Footlocker National Championships Danielle finished 15th place earning All-American honors. Congratulations on a phenominal season, Milesplit Utah salutes Danielle Menlove as the Utah Girls Athlete of the Year. (Photo by Don Rich, PennTrack)
Footlocker National Championships
Honorable Mention: Shalaya Kipp; Skyline High School: Defending 5A State Champion, 2008 Footlocker National Finalist
Must Suprising Performer - Benjamin Johnson, Orem HS - Improved from 30th at the 2007 4A State Championship to 2nd place running an impressive 15:34 over the heralded Sugarhouse course. Placed 15th at the NXN Southwest Region Championship in 15:49 over 5000m and 28th at the Footlocker West Region Championship. Johnson had a breakout season producing amazing results winning the Orem Kiwanis Invitational, placing 3nd at the Murray Inv. and BYU Classic.
Best Rivalry - Shalaya Kipp, Skyline v. Danielle Menlove, Jordan; Kipp is the defending state champion, Menlove the phenominal multi-time youth national champion. Opening the season Kipp bested Menlove at the Bob Firman Invitational by less than .5 tenths of a second for the championship. The next week the experienced Kipp dominated the BYU Classic for an eight second victory over the upstart Menlove. If Menlove's record provides some insight, she does not give up. Menlove rebounded at the Murray Invitational with a resounding course record and victory over Kipp. Menlove would go on to narrowly defeat Kipp at the State Championships. Next, the two met at the Footlocker West Regional with both qualifying for Nationals, Menlove 3rd, Kipp 7th.
Best Team to Emerge as a New Power - American Fork, UT boys; the Cavemen produced a remarkable season. On a team that returns 6 of 7, the cavemen of American Fork produced a all-time team performance at the Utah State Championships and placed 4th at the NXN Southwest Region Championship. American Fork has positioned themselves as a 2009 pre-season top 25 team and the early favorite for the 2009 NXN SW Region Team Championship. Led by Timo Mostert, look for great things from this team in 2009. Read the American Fork Story