State Meet Highlights

On a lovely fall afternoon with bright sunshine, warm temperatures and breezy winds, the Ann Arbor Pioneer Men’s Cross Country Team came out to defend the title for the Division I State Championship.  The race was held in Brooklyn, Michigan on the course in and around Michigan International Speedway.  The Pioneers, despite some outstanding performances, were unsuccessful in their bid, coming second to Detroit’s Catholic Central High School.  Catholic Central’s team ran an impeccable race, scoring 68 points.  The Pioneers scored 96 points.

Before the sound of the starting gun, the Pioneers seemed focused, intent and perhaps a bit nervous.  They were confident in their abilities, all being veteran runners, six of the seven seniors, five of the seven experienced in State meet competition, backed up by a solid season, great coaching support and tremendous fitness, they were ready to compete.

The Speedway is a very difficult venue for spectators to view the course.  Those in the grandstands see only the last 500m, and that at such a distance as to make it tough to identify runners or uniforms until they are nearly finished with the race.  This year, with construction blocking the tunnel passageway to the grandstands, it was especially complicated.  To get to the grandstands required a tram ride, which was prohibitively long to attempt in the middle of the race.  Therefore, it seemed more reasonable to stay on the infield for the start, hurry outside the track to the straightaway at the start of the second mile, then sprint back to the finish.  The course was slower than usual, the result of recent rains.

Viewing at the finish was tough, with no elevation to see a wider angle, a fence line that blocked the view and crowds jamming access up close.  However, the Pioneers went out the way they have all season, starting quickly, vying for the front so as not to be choked out at the bottleneck turns, and staying together as much as possible.  Nathan, Nick, and Adam ran in the front of the pack, and Muhammad, Andy, and Joe stayed up in the top fifty or so for the first mile, looking out for each other along the way. Nathan and Nick traded the lead for the Pioneers in the second mile, and then Nick forged ahead and stayed there for the duration.  Early in the second mile, Troy’s Mike Atchoo and Catholic Central’s Ricardo Galindo made their move away from the others, and kept the lead all the way to the finish.

Nick Kern, in the best race of this season, charged to the finish in fourth place overall, earning a fantastic three points for his team.  Nick’s time was 15:59. Nick stayed out in the front of the pack for the entire race, never breaking his powerful stride and never losing concentration.  Nick should be so proud of his achievement today; there is no question he gave everything he had to the race and to the team he’s helped to lead all season.

Adam Kern continued to amaze us with his ability today, finishing thirteenth overall, coming in ninth for the team competition, and completing the course in 16:08.  Adam valiantly ran on a sprained ankle that he worked to rehabilitate all week prior to the race.   He showed no signs of pain or strain, he charged ahead and ignored any obstacles.  Adam proved another worthy leader today, and must be satisfied with his efforts to carry the day.

Nathan Karr finished twenty-first overall, crossing the line in 16:15. Nathan pushed himself hard today, but as other runners began to pull ahead, for the first time this season, when Nathan called on his speedy legs for his characteristic kick in the last segment, they did not respond.  Nate was understandably disappointed with his finish, although it certainly was a respectable performance by any standards.  Nate has the energy, the talent, the drive and the focus to perform well in events like these, but for some reason, the magic didn’t happen for him today.  All his teammates are grateful for his outstanding results this season, and admire his strength and passion for the sport.

Muhammad Sani, running this course for the first time today, and coming off a painful Achilles tendon problem, ran really well and finished forty-first overall, earning twenty-eight points for his team.  Muhammad’s time was 16: 31. Muhammad has really come on all season, and has an apparent natural affinity for running.

Joe Frakes finished as fifth man for the Pioneers today, crossing the line in 16:46, scoring 43 points for the team and landing in sixty-first place overall.  Joe pushed himself as best he could, improving his position from last year’s final by over 30 places, but was unhappy with his result today.

Andy Sanz-Guerrero was right behind Joe, coming in sixty-sixth place overall in 16:49.  Andy was able to keep the pace he wanted for the first two miles, and as usual, was a passing machine at the end of the race.

Sebastian Ag finished 105th overall in 17:06.  This was Sebastian’s first run on the MIS course, and with competition at this level, Sebastian ran so well.  He stayed focused and hung in there.

With the “Runner up” title in today’s event, the Pioneers were far from elated.  This outcome did not match their expectations.  Some parents may have been surprised that the team wasn’t happier with a second-in-the-state place…this is the result of their wanting the best from each other, expecting the race to be a cohesive team effort, and the fact that they care so much for each other that they truly wish for the best possible showing from each athlete.  Today wasn’t a day of new personal records for the guys, and each wanted to contribute his absolute best to the team outcome.  Even without the D1 title, they would have liked to have more personal victories to celebrate.  Over time, the sting of the loss will diminish and they will always appreciate the camaraderie, friendship and support for each other that has carried them all season, and in fact, all through their High School years.

Congratulations to those who finished in the top 30 overall, earning All State honors:  Nick Kern, Adam Kern, and Nathan Karr.