The American Fork girls won the 5A state title last year and finished 4th as Utah's top finishers at the NXN Southwest Regional. MileSplit Utah's Jim Larkin interviewed long-time American Fork girls head cross country coach Bruno Hunziker on what to expect of his team this upcoming season.
Interview with Bruno Hunziker (Head Girls Coach at American Fork High School)
Q: How many years have you been coaching total and here at AFHS?
A: 30 years this season and all of them at American Fork HS
Q: What is your athletic background?
A: I ran for coach Bill Delaney on the very first Orem HS XC team and we were State Champs in 1970.
Q: Tell us something about yourself that we don't already know?
A: I was born in Switzerland and my mother was an escapee from Auschwitz she fled to Austria when the camp was liberated by the Russian Army.
Q. What is your philosophy for success that you incorporate into your coaching here at AF?
A: We believe that hard work pays off and that if you establish that atmosphere of success it will breed more success. I tell the girls that we have a tradition here and that they need to be committed to the sport.
Q: What is your go to work out that kicks your race season into high gear?
A: 400'S lots of em!
Q: Who are your returnees from last year's varsity? Any transfers in?
A: Lexi Wright is out top returnee from varsity. She had a great track season and went 5:03/11:06. Lacey Evans also returns. We are trying hard to develop some newcomers but we really lost a lot from last season.
Q: What are your plans for the upcoming race season?
A: We open up with Highland invite on Aug 17th and we will be traveling to Boise for the Bob Firman meet. State meet is always the big focus and of course NXNSW. In-between we have some meets which we will be working through to get us in racing shape for State.
Q: What will be your key to success as the season progresses? What do you hope to see in your teams progress?
A: Staying healthy is always a delicate balance and if we can pull that off we will do well. I hope to see the girls stay competitive throughout the season and keep their goals in mind.
Top 7 Returnees Based on 3 Mile Times
| 16 | American Fork (UT) | 576 | ||
| 1) Lexi Wright | 18:45.40 | 39 | ||
| 2) Lacie Evans | 19:25.90 | 88 | ||
| 3) Brooklyn Hopkins | 19:37.30 | 111 | ||
| 4) Kileyann Wilson | 20:15.90 | 164 | ||
| 5) Madison Hess | 20:21.20 | 174 | ||
| Average Time: 19:41.14 Total Time: 1:38:25.70 1-5 Split: 1:35.80 | ||||
| 6) Rebecca Teeples | 20:42.30 | 209 | ||
| 7) Mackenzie Hess | 20:48.90 | 224 | ||
Top 7 Returnees Based on 5K Times
| 3 | American Fork (UT) | 239 | ||
| 1) Lexi Wright | 18:56.00 | 17 | ||
| 2) Brooklyn Hopkins | 19:16.00 | 33 | ||
| 3) Lacie Evans | 19:39.60 | 54 | ||
| 4) Madison Hess | 19:49.00 | 64 | ||
| 5) Kileyann Wilson | 19:58.00 | 71 | ||
| Average Time: 19:31.72 Total Time: 1:37:38.60 1-5 Split: 1:02.00 | ||||
| 6) Mackenzie Hess | 20:15.00 | 96 | ||
| 7) Rebecca Teeples | 20:47.80 | 131 | ||