Archives > Sports > Schools
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
RSS
Share
Match Game: Wolves tie program bests in sixth-place team finish at state
BY Matt Welch, mwelch@starlocalnews.com
It might not have ended in first-place individual or team finishes, but program benchmarks were matched by the Plano West boys cross country team on Saturday.
Running from Old Settlers Park in Round Rock, the Wolves matched their highest team finish ever at the Class 5A Cross Country State Championships, placing sixth overall (173 points).
"We felt like we had a good chance to finish in the top 10 coming out of a tough Region II, so sixth was pretty good," said Richard Grubbs, West head coach.
Senior Grant Copeland paced the Wolves' effort by placing 30th overall (16:23.30). Copeland's run solidified his spot among the program's top runners to compete at the state meet, finishing third all-time for the Wolves behind only alums Jonathan Serrell in 2002 (third) and Andrew McCartin in 2004 (seventh). A senior-laden squad by design, West's elder statesmen comprised four of its top five finishes Saturday with seniors Walter Edstrom placing 46th (16:35.20), Luis Cuenca taking 48th (16:36.50) and Mike Coopman notching 77th (16:43.30).
"Seniors are always important in boys cross country, so we'll be pretty young next year, but we'll deal with that during next spring and summer," Grubbs said. "These seniors have battled through the ups and downs for two to three years and have come out as team leaders that the younger guys will have to live up to in upcoming years."
Junior Drew Megura claimed 56th (16:43.30) while junior Enrique Vargas and sophomore Ali Nourani rounded out the West state slate with respective finishes of 99th (17:43.40) and 100th (17:44.80).
With 12 teams in Round Rock, the Wolves' adjusted standings slotted Copeland at 17th, Edstrom at 30th, Cuenca at 32nd, Megura at 38th and Coopman at 56th.
All West runners were making their state debuts from Old Settlers Park.
"It's the same course every year, so there were no surprises on the course," Grubbs said. "However, the weather affected everyone in the race, with warm southwest winds over 20 miles per hour and dust flying during the entire 5A competition."
The elements didn't deter Southlake Carroll from protecting its status among the nation's elite by placing first in the boys race (27), with four runners finishing in the top 10.
"Everyone knew it was Southlake's meet to lose and they showed why they're the No. 2 team in the nation," Grubbs said.
Individually, Hebron's Robert Domanic captured the boys state title (15:04.00).
The Wolves enjoyed their own measures of success and, while Saturday's race marked the close to cross country season, West has more in store. The team won't wait long, taking to Bear Branch Park in The Woodlands Saturday for the NIKE Cross South national qualifiers meet. West will compete among teams from Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi with a chance at qualifying for the NIKE Cross Nationals meet in Portland, Ore., on Dec. 1.
"This meet is a better indication of how good a team we are, since it's the best teams from five states and not just the top three in one classification from each region in Texas," Grubbs said. "We have had a good season so far, but next weekend will determine if we accomplished our goals and had a great season."
For continued news and coverage on the local sports scene, follow @MWelchSCN on Twitter.
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
You must register with a valid email to post comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here:
Become a Registered User
- Return to: Plano West «
- Home «
- Top of Page ^
