Bingham High looks for blast from past

Don't be surprised if Bingham's boys cross country team rules the roost in Class 5A this year. Even though the team won Region 3 in 2005, Coach Jeff Arbogast was disappointed with their ninth-place finish at the state meet.

After 30 years of coaching, Arbogast feels that this Bingham team will return the Miners to the glory days.

"As far as I'm concerned, I wanted to see if they could get back to the Bingham of old," he said. "I see a potential state championship team but really — we're not doing it for just the wins. I'm sticking it out to get the luster back on the Bingham distance program," he explained.

Arbogast thinks that the next couple of years will be the best opportunity for Bingham's return to prominence in cross country. The longtime Miners coach has been digging for more depth and toughness. Runners one through nine have the potential to be all-state performers for the Miners.

"They haven't come in with a lot of 'umph,' but they run like the banshee," Arbogast said.

The veteran coach has confidence that his boys are capable of winning the region and more this season.

"They were solid last year," he said. "They're better this year."

For the girls of Region 3, Copper Hills is the clear favorite to repeat as region champions. With plenty of talent, the school could take a serious run at a Class 5A title, but the coaches are saying that it'll take the girls' best effort.

"If we run very, very well," says coach Garth Rushforth. "They have to want it to win."

Copper Hills lost only one senior from last year's region title team, and they return top runner Jessica Zamudio. They also return with a tone of confidence after knocking off Bingham in a showdown at the 2005 region championships.

The Grizzlies look to have the talent and confidence to emerge with another region title. Meanwhile, Bingham's boys could have one of their best teams in decades and should be a strong threat for a state championship.

Here's a team by team look at Region 3 cross country.

BINGHAM: Going back to the future is what Miners coach Jeff Arbogast is planning on doing this season. He's looking for one more championship run. Bingham and Mountain View dominated the 1990's in boys cross country. The Miners won three state titles in six years. Arbogast is hoping this team is of the same mold. Led by Logan Clark, Ryan Barrus and Nate Jewkes, the Miners look to be very deep and they bring a toughness that hasn't been around for awhile. Conner Davis, Jason Sara and Andrew Unker round out the heart of the team and younger runners should develop to make the team better for 2007.