Varsity Highlights

The Pioneer Men's Cross Country Team competed in their third and final SEC Red Division meet this cool October Thursday. The course, described as “a well established fair course thru open fields and wooded areas” is at Hudson Mills Metropark.  We raced there last Saturday in a different section of the park.  The day was chilly with a fine mist dampening the event.  Thank goodness Coach Sleeman invested in that nice 20 x 40 tent; the men were able to stay dry and comfortable until race time.  The Varsity team ran first, and placed second to Saline with 50 points. Saline earned 25 points, landing the title SEC Red Champions.  Bedford came in third with 68 points.

The starting gun sounded and the men pounded off the line.  Pioneer ran against the best from Bedford, Huron, Monroe, Saline and Skyline.  Costa ran well, getting out front to lead the Pioneers.  He stayed up nicely with the lead pack, which mostly consisted of runners from Saline.  Galen, Eddie, Max, Dean and Nick were trading off a bit, not far back from Costa.  Galen was steady and seemed focused during the race. Eddie was moving up through the ranks, working to weave into better position. Max kept the front runners in his sights for the whole race and did not let up on his pace.   Nick continues to prove his worth in the top seven, finishing 18th overall.    Dean had to drop when his knee began to complain, so Pioneeer ended up with six finish times.  Jacob Johnson, competing for the first time with his varsity teammates, appeared to be trying hard, and ran very well. Jacob ran a really good third mile and set a new personal record in today's race and shows exciting promise for the future.

Coming around to the finish, the course allows really good visibility of the guys in the last 1000 meters.  Lots of exciting action took place as the men put their sprints on to the finish.  Galen overtook Costa in the last loop, and pushed hard to pass through the yellow jerseys. Kudos to Galen for finishing as today's ?op Pioneer! Costa didn't let  him get far ahead, though; they finished only a second and one place apart. Costa has a new personal best from today's tace, taking off two and a half seconds well done, Costa!  Shout out to Eddie for finishing top ten!!  Congratulations to Galen and Costa, whose 3rd and 4th place finishes earned them ?irst Team All Conferencetitles.

It's understandable why Coach Sleeman hopes that the team can have a meet where every runner performs to his best ability the spread in times for our first through fifth places was about a minute at the Jamboree.  However, if the top five were all healthy and raced at their very best, the spread would  be closer to a mere thirty seconds, with finishing places that would give Saline a real challenge.  Bedford and Huron have some good talent but don't have the depth of the Pioneer team. Rest up for Regionals, guys! We're looking forward to you all having a fantastic day there!