Varsity Highlights

After two days of rainfall in southeastern Michigan, the ground was still damp as the Ann Arbor Pioneer Men’s Cross Country Team competed in the Region 5-1 Regional meet, held at Willow Metropark this Halloween day.  The Pioneers came out victorious, easily winning with 23 points, followed by Plymouth High School in second place with 71 points and third place Huron High School with 79 points.  These top three teams qualified to compete next week in the State Finals.  Congratulations to all these athletes, their teams and coaches.

Pioneer’s Nathan Karr, a senior, won the race in 15:57.  Nathan has been the one to watch this season, his swift legs carrying him to his sixth victory of the year.  Nathan’s race strategy seems to be to start fast, say in front, go faster each mile, then put on a blitz of a sprint to the finish.  It’s amazing to watch him race, because it seems that Nate never has to pass anyone.  Nate has been very motivated and determined all season, and his hard work is coming to fruition.  Can’t wait to see you race at the State meet, Nate.  Congratulations!

Adam Kern came in second in the race today, running with confidence and poise.  Adam has been strategically starting a little behind some of the other racers, biding his time and building speed as the run progresses.  Adam’s excellent conditioning was apparent today as he finished this tough course in 16:08.

Muhammad Sani ran such an exciting race today, staying up with the front runners for the first half of the race, then methodically passing other runners one by one in the last kilometer.  Muhammad finished as the third Pioneer, in fifth place overall, in 16:20.  Muhammad’s ability clearly showed today, in tough conditions he put forth a great run.

Nick Kern, starting out in the front as usual, and setting the pace in the middle of the race as usual, struggled a bit in the final stretches of the race.  Nick finished sixth overall in 16:32.  Nick has been such a fantastic competitor and is a leader for his team, so it is likely he will move up the very next chance he gets.

Next in for the Pioneers was Joe Frakes, finishing ninth overall and crossing the line in 16:48.  Joe ran really well, especially in the first loop of the course.  He was strong on the big hill, and up with the top six or seven racers.  Then he struggled to maintain his pace in the final kilometer, but maintained a good position overall.  That wind was a killer.

Andy Sanz-Guerrero finished eleventh overall in 16:55.  Andy reported later that the wind was bothering him; it was a stiff blast directly to the chest for the open stretches of the race.  At the end, nearing the finish chute, the wind was finally at their backs, and Andy looked strong as he neared the finish with his recognizable acceleration, passing several competitors before he completed the course.

Sebastian Ag, mister energy, ran well and finished seventeenth overall in 17:04.  Sebastian looked cool and confident on the hill, overtaking other runners and keeping up a good pace.  Perhaps those mountains at home in Norway gave him the experience to run so well here.

Pioneer’s team had a stellar showing today, with all seven varsity runners finishing in the top twenty, five guys in the top ten, three in the top five, their lowest team score yet this season, and a trip to the State Finals.

Click here for the MLive report on the 5-1 Regional Meet.

JV Highlights

As the afternoon went on, dense cloud cover overhead threatened rain which never materialized, so at least the cold athletes stayed dry.  Strong wind, seeming to blow parallel with the ground, buffeted the runners around, but may also have pushed the rain away.  The course is mostly the periphery around a wide grassy expanse.  Beyond the stretch of the course that goes behind the parking lot is a steep hill that the athletes climb twice during the race.  The hill proved a boon to some runners and a pitfall for others. 

The Pioneer Junior Varsity Team lined up for the start with the other athletes, and for this race, the boys and girls compete together.  As the course narrowed by the first clump of trees, the Pioneers forged ahead and established their presence at the front of the pack.