Scouting report interview with Maple Mountain girls cross country head coach Darrell Wyatt. The team opened their season this past week with a statement making victory at the Highland Invitational. A team certainly on the rise returning their entire varsity lineup and a senior class represented squad looking to improve upon their 8th place state meet finish one year ago as well as valuable experience gained competing at the NXN Southwest Regional.
Top 7 Girls Returnees (Full Team Scores Rankings)
| 6 | Maple Mountain High School (UT) | 291 | ||
| 1) Camille Wirthlin | 18:35.70 | 33 | ||
| 2) Kiana Campell | 18:46.87 | 41 | ||
| 3) Tess Mcnelly | 18:58.60 | 53 | ||
| 4) Kate Koger | 19:18.80 | 78 | ||
| 5) Bethany Graham | 19:24.40 | 86 | ||
| Average Time: 19:00.87 Total Time: 1:35:04.37 1-5 Split: 48.70 | ||||
| 6) Annicka Perry | 19:24.72 | 87 | ||
| 7) Aleahlani Farnsworth | 19:27.08 | 89 | ||
Q&A Interview with Coach Wyatt (Maple Mountain)
1. How many years have you been coaching high school cross country (and at your current school)?
Brandon thank you for your interest in our team here at Maple Mountain. The first thing you need to understand about our program is that it is not about one person but about the team. This is true with our coaching staff as well. We all work together for the betterment of the team and all have a role to pay. So our coaching staff that includes, Coach Brett Andrus, Coach Rob Eastmond, and myself have a combined 35+ years of coaching experience. I have had the honor & privilege of starting this program at Maple Mountain 9 years ago when our school opened. Coach Eastmond joined our staff four years later and Coach Andrus five years later. We work really well together and all preform our roles to help our team.
2. What do you attribute as the main reasons for the success of your program?
The team is the main reason for the success. These athletes work hard for each other and believe in each other. They are there to lift each other in every aspect of their life. IT is not about one individual, but it is about the team and how we can inspire and help each other become better. They are like a family with each other. Don't get me wrong, there is hard work involved, there are lots of miles to run, but they do these together. They work hard together. The team is the main reasons for the success.
3. What would be the best way to describe your style and philosophy of coaching and working with high school runners?
Our coaching staff has a philosophy of helping our athletes strive to become the best versions of themselves not just in their running but in life as well. This is a process, and we all need to buy into the process and put the work into the process to become the best versions our ourselves.
4. What are your core beliefs in your training plan and workouts for your cross country squads?
Consistency = Success
5. How many runners do you return from your top 7 from a year ago?
7. Our whole team returns from last season. We have a very experienced team of all seniors. They are coming off of their region 8 title last season, a good track & field season and their first Nike Cross Southwest experience with a determination to strive to be better.
With our team it isn't about one person but the team as a whole. We are fortunate to have all seniors in our top 8. In no particular order they are; Camille Wirthlin, Tess McInelly, Kiana Campbell, Annika Perry, Leah Farnsworth, Ashley Rothaug, Kate Koger, Bethany Graham.
7. Who are your team captains or leaders and what stands out about them as examples for the rest of their teammates?
Again with our team it isn't about one person but the team as a whole. The team as a whole demonstrates this as they are there to help, lift, inspire, & push each other. The seniors on our team lead and teach the underclassmen in our philosophy. The seniors also remind the underclassmen of the consistency that is needed to do the work in the process.
8. Who have you been most impressed or surprised with their improvement and/or fitness from their summer training?
The team as a whole has been very impressive this summer with their training and improvement. The whole team has really stepped it up this summer and has consistently bought into the process.
9. Any impactful freshmen or transfers to join the team this season?
We are very fortunate to have Ashley Rothaug join our team this year. She is a senior who has never done cross country before because she has done high school rodeo (barrel racing) but wanted to come out and try something new for her senior year. She has jumped right into the process and has really helped our team by earning her way into our top 7. We look forward to see her impact on our team.
10. What are the top invitational meets that your team will be attending this season?
We feel we can get great competition her in the state of Utah against so great teams. So we look forward to the Highland Invite, Murray Invite, BYU, Invite, the Nebo Invite which we host, and of course the region 8 championships and the 5A state championships.
11. What will be the biggest obstacle or challenge facing your team this season?
Taking the steps to be at the next level as a team. Consistently doing what needs to be done. Knowing that there is always work that needs to be done. Lifting each other and staying healthy.
12. What will be the biggest reason why your team is successful this season?
The team will be the biggest reason for success. They are a team and do it for each other, consistently doing the work that needs to be done and striving to be the best versions of themselves. Everyone has a role and part to pay and we all need to do our role and play our part.
13. What is a favorite annual or common pre-season workout or run for your team?
We really enjoy running at Shadow Mountain. Up and down that mountain and the trails there.
14. What is a favorite annual or common mid-season workout for your team?
We do a very killer tempo workout at the state course.
15. What is a favorite annual or common championship season or end-of-season workout for your team?
That's a secret!
16. What are your top 3 goals for this year's squad?
Striving to become the best version of ourselves, being consistent in doing the work (including the little things), lifting & inspiring each other to be better. Now what I am sure you & others want to hear is that we hope to repeat as the region 8 champions, be one of the top teams in 5A in Utah, and be one of the top teams in Nike Southwest earning an invite to Nike Nationals. But if we actually focus on our priorities, the outcomes we desire will follow.