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High school preview: Cross country meet may end in a few surprises

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Kerry | 7:23 a.m. Oct. 16, 2007

Don't forget about Ogden and Bear River Boys in 3A. They may have something to say about who takes a trophy home!

SMALL SCHOOL FAN | 8:10 a.m. Oct. 16, 2007

Once again nothing about the small schools.

1A 2A fan | 8:17 a.m. Oct. 16, 2007

What about the small schools, I am pretty sure they will be running at Sugar House Park as well.

Comments continue below

5A Fan | 8:44 a.m. Oct. 16, 2007

I would agree with the Small School Fans...They deserve just as much coverage as the big schools.

As for the coverage on the 5A boys...they nailed it on the head with who the favorites are and the darkhorses. This years 5A Boys Race is one not to miss...It will be a knock em down drag em out fight to the finish.

1A 2A Fan | 9:23 a.m. Oct. 16, 2007

I have been following all of the classifications this year and this looks like a state tournament that should be very close in all mens divisions 1A -5A. I can't wait to see how it all turns out. In 2A look for Richfield again, but Parowan was only one point behind last year so this should be close again and look for Juab. In 1A who knows, St. Joe is always tough but I am betting on Milford or Escalante. Individually Howell from Manti is on the top 5 in any classification and 1A Rono Wasatch Academy and Norris Panguitch would be in the top 2 or 3 for any team in the state. Milford will run away with the 1A title for the girls. Congrats to their coach who has done an outstanding job. Sorry I am not sure about the 2A girls maybe someone can add to this.

Anonymous | 9:44 a.m. Oct. 16, 2007

Hey what about the small schools.

Amazing | 10:09 a.m. Oct. 16, 2007

nothing about small schools or Alta, how can that be ??

James | 11:05 a.m. Oct. 16, 2007

Have you really done your research on the 3A boys.
Ogden handily beat Park City and Judge at Orem Kiwanis. Grantsville outscored North Sanpete 148
to 203 while Ogden was 72, Park City 77 and Judge
85. There is no way North Sanpete will contend. They may not even be in the top ten. Bear River has beaten Ogden twice and Park City and was close enough at the region meet to Ogden to be right in there. My prediction right now...Ogden 1st, Park City 2nd, Bear River 3rd, Cedar 4th, Judge 5th and North Sanpete...first in some JV race maybe. DO your research!!!!

Davis | 11:34 a.m. Oct. 16, 2007

Park City has the best pack but Ogden has three top
ten kids and Bear River has two. Ogden and Bear River could actually go 1st and 2nd and shut out
your favorites.

Anonymous | 1:04 p.m. Oct. 16, 2007

No mention of returning 5A State Champion Steven Clark? Sad! Also, who is this all-stater from Timpiview named "Brian" Fletcher? That's two weeks in a row we've heard about him. Is there anyone who really follows cross-country and track at the Deseret News?

3A fan | 1:50 p.m. Oct. 16, 2007

Ogden could be a factor? Ogden will be the
factor in the boys race. As great as Luke
is, he only scores one place. Ogden will have
three in the top ten before Judge has it's #2
runner in...who will probably be pushing to finish
in the top 15. Ogden's #4 and #5 will beat Judge's
#3...no chance for the Bulldogs this year. Judge
will get a 1st place medal...Ogden will get a trophy
and three medals.

CC guru | 2:00 p.m. Oct. 16, 2007

Forget about Utah...Luke Puskedra might very well be the best runner in the nation!

1A Fan | 2:20 p.m. Oct. 16, 2007

Once again you left off 1A and 2A! Come on Deseret News.....we read the paper too. Don't you care about us? I love reading about 3A-5A but would love to see you write about the little schools as well.

Pang Town Baby | 2:50 p.m. Oct. 16, 2007

way to leave out the smaller schools again deseret.. we train just as hard as the bigger schools!! good luck 1a and 2a

Rebel Fan | 3:43 p.m. Oct. 16, 2007

Hey Mr. Petersen what about 1A and 2A? Who do you think leads the pack in those divisions? Come on finish your story if you are going to do enough research to write the story at least have the courtesy to find out what is happening with 1A and 2A. Many of those those who will be at this competition train for cross country after they have already practiced for another sport ie football, baseball or volleyball. They deserve to be written about as well as the larger schools. For once I agree with something someone from Panguitch has said......we train just as hard as the bigger schools do.....don't forget to write about us too!!!!

1A FAN | 5:10 p.m. Oct. 16, 2007

Don't think Milford will run away with the 1A girls title just yet. There could be a surprise coming their way. As for Puskedra with Judge, he himself is worth standing out in the rain to watch. He is probably the story of Utah prep sports right now!!! Too bad he doesn't get the pub he deserves in this state and paper.

Ryan | 5:11 p.m. Oct. 16, 2007

This is lazy reporting. For 4A they didn't even mention Mountain View who only finished two points behind Timpview and one point behind Orem at the Region 7 meet. And they are talking about Mt. Crest like they are the team to beat when they havent beaten Timpview or Orem this year.

To Ryan | 6:16 p.m. Oct. 16, 2007

If Mountain Crest performs like they did in region, they will whoop Timpview & Orem. I think Mountain Crest boys & girls are the teams to beat at state.

1A Fan | 7:15 p.m. Oct. 16, 2007

what about the small schools? are we not as important as the bigger schools? well milford girls are going to have a pretty good chance of taking state.

STS | 8:54 p.m. Oct. 16, 2007

Well at least YOU attempted to write about cross-country. Most people don't realize that cross-country and track have the 2nd most participants of any high school sport other than football. And I guarantee that Utah turns out more D1 runners than football players. Maybe newspapers will read all these comments and start to actually put a few articles about the great runners from all over the state in the paper on a consistent basis.
By the way watch for an un-named darkhorse to at least breakthrough the Utah County dominance in 4A.

wondering | 10:07 p.m. Oct. 16, 2007

Does anyone want to check and see why Dave Houle is still involved with trying to influence Utah cross country. Why is he still in contact with administrators regarding cross country. Thank goodness some coaches have the integrity to stand up for integrity.

Just have fun | 11:32 p.m. Oct. 16, 2007

We need Dave HOULE he is good for the sport and for the kids. Some one try to git him back out, the sport is way down.

Concerned Reader | 9:17 a.m. Oct. 17, 2007

Amen! to all the above. I think that you guys don't have a clue about highschool running... of if you do, you are too concerned about keeping up on football!

Anonymous | 4:31 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007

Hayden Hawks the only Non-Senior to place in the 4A boys race..

Next year = State Championship.

Go eagles | 8:31 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007

You know whats really happing MIllard Dominated the cross country taking first in state thats what im talking about

Don't make me snooz | 8:39 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007

Boring, Wake me up when it's all over. x-country, get real.

Jacob Barton | 9:02 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007

I want to thank Tim Peterson for covering the cross country meet. Not many people take notice to Cross Country. Most of Utah and America is focused on football, basketball, baseball, and soccer. It's nice to get some coverage on the best sport in america.

Retiring Coach | 10:26 p.m. Oct. 17, 2007

Just got home from the state meet. Saw many great runners today. Congrats to all the teams and their respective runners. Sorry to "Don't make me snooz". Obviously, Snooz must be a couch potato as he/she has never attempted running 3 miles where we get no substitutes nor have any time outs. I will miss all the competitors and teams. I admire the runners dedication and high work ethics. Go the distance! Rock On, X-Country!

This is your wake up call! | 3:54 p.m. Oct. 18, 2007

Whoever just said cross country is boring and to get real...you get real. You'll never know what its like until you experience it. And then you'll think twice about what you just said. Come on...get real!

RE: Don't make me snooz | 7:27 a.m. Oct. 19, 2007

Hey Don't make me snooz...if you think XC is boring then why in the heck are you reading the article and making comments about it. These kids work hard to accomplish what they do and if you were at the state meet like I was the races were fun to watch especially the 5A boys which came down to the wire. Congrats to all those kids that run XC...another great year.

Sports fan | 3:01 p.m. Oct. 19, 2007

I am a mainstream sports fan. But to all those who say cross country is boring, I would somewhat agree with you. But to say its easy is a huge overstatement. Running 3 miles in 16 minutes would literally kill me, its not possible. I'd like to see a football player do that, few could. But on the other hand CX people probably couldn't take some hit from a 230 pound linebacker. That's why there is diversity in high school, you do what you like, and what you can.

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2 photos

Ravell Call, Deseret News

American Fork's Ben Felix will lead the Cavemen into the 5A state cross country meet Wednesday at Sugarhouse Park, looking for a high finish in tourney.

Gallery (2 photos)