Area high school runners are lacing 'em up for this year's cross country season, with many top of Utah teams participating in the American Fork Grass Relays this past weekend. And some familiar faces seem to already be pulling away from the field.
The always-fast Davis Darts dominated the first invitational-style meet of the season, with the girls team winning with a two minute margin over Alta.
The two-mile course, at a shorter distance than a regular 3.1-mile cross country race, included hay bales and was won by Davis sophomore Shea Martinez in 12:23. Her combined time with teammates Anni Andersen, Tessa Brown, Abby Frodsham and Meghan Hedquist put them on top.
The Davis boys placed second to American Fork, last year's state championship team. TheDarts were led by Austin Neuner (10:50) and Preston Johnson (10:50) and have incredible depth from which to pull from throughout the season.
Their nearest Region 1 rivals, Viewmont, were 17th overall in the boys and 20th in the girls. Viewmont boys edged the Syracuse team by just eight seconds and Clearfield was 19th overall, setting up what should be a race for second place in the region.
Both boys and girls from all nine schools will get a chance to test their region head-to-head at the Pre-Region 1 two-miler meet Wednesday at Layton Park. Action is set for 3:45 p.m.
Region 5
With Mountain Crest the only team competing at American Fork on Saturday, most teams in this region will sort out at the BYU Invitational on Saturday. Mountain Crest runners Brookayla Nelson (12:28) and Tori Parkinson (12:31) show early-season promise, placing second and third, respectively and leading their team to fifth place overall.
The Mustangs will face a strong region challenge from perennial powerhouse Ogden girls, with last year's state 4-A champion Avery Calton leading the team. Individually, Box Elder's Kelsey Braithwaite and Ogden's Jamie Stokes look to be in the mix as well.
The Mountain Crest boys were fifth in the 4-A ranks at the Grass Relays, led by Sean O'Very. They'll face tough competition regionally from Ogden as well, with Ogden returning six of seven runners from last year's state fifth-place team and Box Elder returning four of their seven from their sixth-place team, including track standout Braden Perry.
Region 11
Returning all seven starters from last year, Bear River boys will be the team to beat. Individually Bear River's Brenden Oxborrow, Brackon Rawlinson and Kenny Capener will challenge each other for the title, with Ben Lomond's Benjamin Sargent looking to break up a sweep.
For the girls, Bear River will face down Judge Memorial, losing by just 12 points in the region meet in 2009, but beating them at state.
Individually Bear River's Emily Pickett and Abby Thornley as well as Morgan's Emmalee Barajas will challenge for the title.
The Pre-Region 11 mee is set for 4 p.m. on Wednesday at Holladay's Cottonwood Complex.
Region 17
St. Joseph.
Need we say more?
With the girls squad returning six of their top seven finishers from the 2009 state 1-A championship team, including state champion Alex Shaw and track 800 meter title-holder Andrea Chavez, teams will be lucky to break through a sweep during the region meet, and even at state.
For the boys, St. Joseph will look to capitalize on top performances from seniors Rob Puskedra and Daniel Philpot.
Top of Utah teams will continue their season with dual meets focusing on region competition on Wednesdays and invitationals, which feature teams from across the state, on Saturdays. This Saturday teams will race at BYU starting at 9 a.m.
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