With our state's three postseason tune-up races (Reagan, Broughton, Providence Day) all in the database and all the same distance, we can combine the results and take a look at whose fitness is really top-notch right now. There were 35 girls who ran under 12:00 in one of the tune-ups (not counting the Middlebrook sisters, who both ran under 12:00 way back in August). For comparison, there were 71 girls who accomplished that feat during the 2011 spring track season. There were also 40 boys who ran under 10:00 in the last two weekends; that compares to 54 during the spring season. If that doesn't get you just a bit excited about the upcoming track season, I don't know what will!
Charger Postseason Tune-Up
(Saturday, 11/19)
In the boys' fastest race, Wyatt Maxey hung in behind the leaders for five laps before moving into the lead. He had to battle Peter Vandenberg over laps 6 and 7 before he was able to secure the win. For the girls' top heat, Sydney Foreman and Kaitlyn Kramer went out aggressively (Foreman crossed the 1600 mark in 5:17), and the two were racing together over the final four laps. The chasing pack, led by Natalie Andrejchak, was able to close on the two leaders a bit in the last 200, perhaps as the fast start took a bit of a toll. (Thanks to Ben Hovis for the play-by-play!)
Broughton Two-Mile Tune-Up
(Friday, 11/18)
Sam Roberson narrowly won the boys' top heat over Jacob Sears, with both running in the 9:20's under cold conditions. Sammy George, running in the boys' third heat, turned in the biggest girls' time of the postseason with her 10:42. In the girls' fastest section, Rebekah Greengrass was able to take control and pull away from the pack for an 11:10 win; Jentzen Jones led the main group home in 11:24.
Reagan Two-Mile Tune-Uo
(Friday, 11/11)
Combined Girls Under 12:00
Combined Boys Under 10:00