American Fork Grass Relays

2009 American Fork Grass Relays

Boys Recap: American Fork Dominates

Led by Robby Lee and Austin West, the American Fork Cavemen dominated against top Utah competition at the Grass Relays. Individual state standout Steve Morrin ran away witht he individual crown with an impressive 10:17. The story of the day was the sheer dominance of the Cavemen with a all-time #5 total team time of 53:39 the Timo Mostert led crew stepped into hollowed ground previously dominated by the great Mountain View Bruins. The surprise of the boys race was the emergence of the Timpanogos boys team. Pre-season hype said soemthing unique was happening at Timpanogos High however, not much was available. What is clear is that Timpanogos put a whipping on the #4 team in the state Davis. It should be stated that the Cavemen were without standout Mac Morrison who claimed individual honors in the Frosh/Soph race in 10:59 as well as #3 man Derek Day who ise away with injury. Check out the American Fork Cavemen Blog

Girls Recap: Davis Upsets Park City

Pre-season rankings said all eyes were to be on Park City, UT. Entering the Grass Relays would be a showdown of the states #1 (Park City), #3 (Davis), and #4 (Mountain Crest) teams. Led by individual standout Meghan Hedquist individual victory in 12:06 Davis stormed to team victory. Hedquist's 12:06 was the #6 fastest individual time ever recorded over the famed 2 mile hay bale filled Grass Relay course.

Meet Preview: Utah's Meet of Champions

The 2009 Utah cross country season is upon us again. The first big exciting event of the year is the American Fork Grass Relays. The 2009 American Fork Grass Relays, arguably the "funnest" meet of the season, athletes traverse a 2 mile course littered with hay bales and spectators. A relay style format offers athletes and spectators lots of excitement and the opportunity to see a true team event.

Utah's perennial powerhouse American Fork looks to set the standard as they seek to put their name into the record books. Also in attendance will be the very tough Parkcity boys and girls as well as last years darling Alta. What will be interesting is how Alta rebounds from NXN and losing a few top runners as well as the enormous girls squad that turned out this season.

American Fork 2009

During track 2009 we saw sophomore Austin West run a superb 9:33.66 3200 Meters in the State 5A finals, more than a minute and a half personal record from his freshman season Austin leads his team into an era perhaps a precursor to a dynasty. West is followed by teammate junior Robby Lee who turned in an impressive personal best of 9:35.33. To much surprise freshman Clayton Young ran a 10:03.44 at the state championships. Considering that Young was the 7th man at the 2008 State Championships it is safe to say Young has helped take the Cavemen to the next level. It should be noted that Young's performance last year was without any summer base, under the tutelage of Mostert with a summer base Young may produce something special for the Cavemen during the 09' cross campaign.

Adding to team depth we have freshman Mac Morrison who completed the state course last year in 16:27, a freshman class record ranking up there with Utah great Jared Rohatinsky. Morrison is a triathlete much like national freshman phenom Lukas Verzbicas, Morrison has been so dominant in the triathlete scene he has been placed in older age divisions just to be competitive. If Morrison finds his stride he may go down as one of the greats in Utah distance running history.

Backing up this amazing quartet is Derek Day who ran 16:35 on the state course last year as a sophomore. Day leads a barrage of up and coming underclassman for the Cavemen. With Jeff Nelson, Brady Pulsipher, Kory Jackson, and Ryan Vawdry the Cavemen look to be doing something right. What is clear is that Timo has a special team in American Fork and that 2009 looks to be the breakout year for the Cavemen. Timo has proven year in and year out that he has what it takes to coach championship calliber programs, but you are only as good as your horses. The men from American Fork have already begun training for the 2009 season. They stand on the precipice of greatness and have a unique opportunity to complete the 09' season as the greatest cross country program in Utah history. Perhaps this year we will see five runners under 16 minutes on the state cross country course, and perhaps that team will be American Fork.

The Cavemen's first test will come at the 2009 American Fork Grass Relays. When looking at the grass relay team records one realizes that ther grass relays are a beginning of season indicator of things to come. To set the record the Cavemen would need to average just under 10:35 per runner over the two-mile loop.