The first step to starting on this journey is the difficult task of choosing the 12 man State roster. This is always a gut-wrenching decision for the coaches. We have so many runners that dedicated themselves to this team and deserve a chance to continue onward. But we are required to choose only 12, so guys like Paul Sieczkowski and Mike Brower don't get the opportunity to continue racing. Instead, they'll assist the coaches to prepare our final 12 for the Regionals, Sectionals & State.
For the Regionals, we really could've used a 13th runner. With several of our top guys needing a break on Saturday, we toed the line with only six healthy runners instead of seven. Given the fact that we were down one runner, each of our guys knew that it was their personal responsibility to get themselves across the finish line. If you fall and break your leg during the race, you get up and limp on in.
With Sandburg hosting the Regional this year, the boys & girls coaches arrived early to set up the course. The weather had cooperated throughout the week, so the course was in very good shape with only a couple of muddy spots.
The six Eagle runners were calm and confident as they went thru their pre-race routine. Following the Sandburg girls' victory in the first race, the boys jogged over to the start line and did their final strideouts.
Right from the gun, the boys surged to the front. Greg Burzinski led our pack and ran like a man on a mission. Late in the race, Caleb Washington of Shepard HS came up to challenge and the two of them see-sawed back and forth over the last half-mile. Ultimately, Washington prevailed by less than a second. Greg's second place time was a solid 15:16. Next man up was junior Dan Laskero in third place with a time of 15:35 and he was followed by freshman Dylan Jacobs in 4th place in 15:41. This looks to be the first of many big-time races for Dylan.
Our 4th finisher was junior David Gleisner with a time of 15:49, good for 6th place. Wrapping things up for the day were two important seniors. Brady Walter rambled home in 15:59, taking 9th place and Matt Benz-Weeden followed in 10th place with a time of 16:08.
When all was said & done, the Eagles cruised to the Regional championship with 24 points - the second-lowest point total out of all the fifteen 3A boys Regionals. All six runners finished in the top 10.
With phase 1 of the mission accomplished, the Eagles will now turn their focus to the Marist Sectional meet on Saturday. The competition level will rise, so the boys will need to step up their game in order to move on. This will be a test to see what they are made of. I hope to see everyone out at Midlothian Meadows on November 1st. It should be a real barn-burner.
Complete results are here.