Taylor Werner returns to UW-Parkside to win in fine fashion
Two of the pre-meet favorites did not disappoint the seeded race form charts... nor did the wintry weather at the National Cross Country course near the University of Wisconsin-Parkside campus. Getting the all expense paid trip to San Diego for the national championship went according to plan for the majority of the players.
Taylor Werner (Sr., Ste. Genevieve, MO) and Jon Davis (Sr., Oakwood, IL) respectively won the girls and boys individual titles respectively in 16:57.3 and 14:57.
Werner was a pre-meet favorite despite the hyped being placed squarely on Judy Pendergast (Sr., Naperville North IL). The opening pace was honest on the re-routed course as Pendergast held a slight lead over Stephanie Jenks (Linn-Marr IA) at the first mile in 5:35. The cold temps produced some ice crystals which made already awful conditions worse; it did not stop Werner from assuming the lead prior to the second mile. Werner cruised past the checkpoint in 10:55 and it was a wrap on the field in near record time. Only two-time national champ Anna Rohrer's 16:54 and 16:57.0 marks are superior.
| F 5,000 Meter Run - Finals | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Place | Athlete | Team | Result | Points | ||
| 1 | Werner, Taylor | 12 | Ste. Genevieve High School | 16:57.30 | -- | |
| 2 | Pendergast, Judy | 12 | Naperville North High School | 17:18.60 | -- | |
| 3 | Gilbert, Maryjeanne | 12 | Peoria Notre Dame High School | 17:23.80 | -- | |
| 4 | Johnson, Lauren | 12 | West Lafayette High School | 17:30.00 | -- | |
| 5 | Leinheiser, Sarah | 11 | Carmel High School | 17:30.20 | ||
| 6 | Troy, Madison | 10 | Grandville | 17:31.50 | -- | |
| 7 | Roberts, Aubrey | 12 | Eau Claire Memorial | 17:41.70 | -- | |
| 8 | Gregory, Lauren | 11 | Fort Collins High School | 17:42.90 | -- | |
| 9 | Wilson, Emma | 12 | Romeo | 17:45.00 | -- | |
| 10 | Jenks, Stephanie | 12 | Linn-Mar High School | 17:49.20 | -- | |
Davis' goal coming in was to earn his ticket back to San Diego and keep alive his undefeated season although a "loss" would not matter in this qualifying affair. The first mile and second miles were negotiated in 4:50 and 9:40. The tactical but smooth paces kept about a dozen runners in the mix until Davis made a boss like move late in the final mile to hold off the previously unblemished Paul Roberts (Sr., Lyons, CO) who clocked 14:57.7. Robert's lean was the difference over Ben Veatch (Sr., Carmel, IN). Andrew Jordan (Sr., Patasala OH) was the fourth runner under 15:00 in a deep field.
| M 5,000 Meter Run - Finals | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Place | Athlete | Team | Result | Points | ||
| 1 | Davis, Jon | 12 | Oakwood High School | 14:57.00 | -- | |
| 2 | Roberts, Paul | 12 | Lyons High School | 14:57.70 | -- | |
| 3 | Veatch, Ben | 12 | Carmel High School | 14:57.90 | -- | |
| 4 | Jordan, Andrew | 12 | Watkins Memorial | 14:59.10 | -- | |
| 5 | Law, Brayden | 12 | Homestead High School | 15:03.20 | -- | |
| 6 | Hirsch, Seth | 11 | Millard West High School | 15:11.30 | -- | |
| 7 | Pereira, Matthew | 11 | Classical High School | 15:13.60 | -- | |
| 8 | Gessner, Finn | 11 | Madison La Follette | 15:17.10 | -- | |
| 9 | Harding, Isaac | 12 | Rockford | 15:18.10 | -- | |
| 10 | Noble, Christian | 12 | Mt. Vernon High School (Fortville) | 15:20.30 | -- | |
***Full body recap and breakdown of the meet coming Sunday!