The "Run-Down": Nike Pre-Nationals - Portland Meadows

Let's go to the races! Our boys only meet landed us at Portland Meadows, however it was not 4 legged equines that we went to watch, but rather two legged panthers wearing orange and black. The near 80 degree day with a cool north breeze made the day deceivingly warm for the Nike Pre-National race.

With exception of Sean and Isaac, all the boys ran in the "JV Class" races - first up was the Freshman race. Collin Manning led the Panthers at the mile mark with a comfortable 6:05. However, the intestinal flu that was shared by a significant portion of the team hampered the middle part of his race. Luke Belzer took over shortly after and made a charge for the medal "Top 40", barely missing as he moved up to 42nd at the finish. The only frosh of the day to establish a new PR was Taylor Leifsen, running some 5 seconds faster than 2 days before.

Upon their finish, the sophomores were quick to toe the starting line. Nicolas Velardi, slightly weakened by something else going around, still managed to post a decent time and sneak into the top 50 - not far from medal territory. He noted that he enjoyed the "woop-dee-doo's", the man-made hills the course went through twice. Our two Jacobs (Bowen and Smart) and Blake Roberts ran standard races considering racing 48 hours earlier, to round out the sophomore class.

The team got to take a 30 minute breather from cheering as a girls race spaced out the boys races. Then the juniors took to the track (actually the interior of the horse track). Running in just his second race, Thomas Normandeau responded well to coaching and executed a near perfect race plan, moving up nicely throughout the race and kicking into 5th place in the final 400. His time of 17:31 easily ranks him in the top 20 for the District, setting himself up as a potential individual state qualifier. Anthony Velardi ran the fastest 5K of his life (19 seconds faster than the Saxon Invite and RA Long times). Aaron Dunn showcased his newly developed strength as he kicked in with championship form, while also establishing a new lifetime best of 20:53.2. The juniors had an excellent day!

Our lone senior, Darian Tierney, had plenty of teammates to cheer for him. He managed to run a season's best of 20:32, claiming that it was easy for him to find people to pass throughout the race. He landed in 97th in the race of 162 finishers.

Sean Eustis and Isaac Stinchfield were assigned to the Danner Championship race, featuring many fine teams this side of the Rocky Mounts (and beyond). Other individuals of the caliber of our two elite Panthers also joined in. The first mile went easy and Isaac felt great resting behind the leader in 2nd place, with Sean not too far behind in the top 8 or so. But with that level of competition, the well hydrated athletes of that caliber controlled the next two miles. Isaac faded to 15th (wishing there was a water stop at the half way point) and Sean battled the respiratory aliment from earlier in the week and slipped to 22nd. Their times were good (averaging 16:00) but left them both eager for the next big race to jump down to the mid 15's.

Next week, the Panthers plan on continuing their winning ways as we travel to Hockinson. This is a team the Boys have a long-term winning streak against, but the girls have not beaten the Hocks since 2007.

Coach Terry L. Howard

Here are the line scores:

Danner Invite		Mile 1	Mile 2	5000 M
Isaac	15^th	4:54	4:55	15:56.8
Sean	22^nd	10:09	10:13	16:05.2
	of 168

Future Varsity Freshmen
Luke	42^nd	6:09	12:24	19:11.9
Bailey	44^th	6:09	12:34	19:24.5
Taylor	133^rd	6:37	13:41	21:19.4	P.R.
Collin	150^th	6:05	13:05	21:49.9
Jordon	156^th	6:37	14:07	21:57.6
Dylan	159^th	6:31	13:43	22:00.8
	of 220
Future Varsity Sophomores
Nicolas	48^th	6:00		18:53.7
Blake	117^th	6:07		20:10.2
Jacob S	143^rd	6:32		20:43.9
Jacob B	158^th	6:32		20:58.5
	of 282
Future Varsity Juniors
Thomas	5^th	5:36	11:17	17:31.4
Anthony	70^th	6:04	12:26	19:27.1	P.R.
Aaron	135^th	6:16	13:12	20:53.2	P.R.
	of 204
Future Varsity Seniors
Darian	97^th	6:20	12:56	20:32.4
	of 162