Ryan Comer - Herald Correspondent | Posted: Saturday, August 30, 2008 11:00 pm
It's hard to tell how good the American Fork cross country teams are this early in the season.
But girls coach Bruno Hunziker seemed more than satisfied at the conclusion of the 12th annual Grass Relays at American Fork on Saturday.
The Caveman girls varsity team took fourth with a time of 68.04, finishing behind Davis (63.34), Mountain Crest (65.38) and Timpanogos (66.03).
"It's the best we've done in 11 years," Hunziker said. "It gives the girls a little bit of momentum."
Alexis Lewis recorded the Cavemen's fastest individual time in the girls two-mile relay with a mark of 12.58 -- a time good enough for 14th overall.
On the varsity boys side, the Cavemen performed even better, finishing second overall with a time of 55.28. Timpview was first in 54.18, with Davis third (55.46, followed by Timpanogos (56.14) and Orem (56.18).
The American Fork boys were led by Robby Lee and Ryan Bradshaw, who finished sixth and 12th, respectively.
Still though, Hunziker didn't want to overstate the importance, realizing it's the first meet of the season for many of the 26 teams which participated.
"It's early in the season," Hunziker said. "It just shows how teams stack up."
Locals swept the top six places. Timpview's Jon Nelson recorded the boys' fastest individual time in the two-mile relay with a mark of 10.18. Lone Peak's Steve Morrin was second (10.23), followed by Orem's Ben Johnson third (10.32), Wasatch's Elijah Rono (10.34) and Provo's Chase Nelson (10.37). Jordan's Danielle Menlove recorded the girls' fastest individual time with a mark of 12.13. Wasatch's Mary Brown was fourth at 12.33, with Timpanogos' Brooke Hodson sixth (12.36) and Orem's Kendy Christensen seventh (12.36).
Hunziker was also impressed with the Davis girls, particularly senior Candace Eddy. Eddy finished second in the varsity girls' relay with a time of 12.25 despite not feeling 100 percent.
"I pulled a muscle and didn't even know if I'd (be able to) finish," Eddy said. "Every girl pushed really hard."
But Eddy agreed it's hard to get too excited knowing it's just the first meet of the season.
Boys Varsity
Team scores: 1. Timpview 54.18, 2. American Fork 55.28, 3. Davis 55.46, 4. Timpanogos 56.14, 5. Orem 56.18.
Individuals: 1. Jon Nelson, Tmpview, 10.18; 2. Steve Morrin, Lone Peak, 10.23; 3. Ben Johnson, Orem, 10.32; 4. Elijah Rono, Wasatch, 10.34; 5. Chase Nelson, Provo, 10.37; 6. Robby Lee, Am. Fork, 10.39; 7. Seth Gutzwiller, Davis, 10.40; 8. Evan Argyle, Pl. Grove, 10.42; 9. Gary Hatch, Springville, 10.43; 10. Skyler Riggs, Mtn. Crest, 10.45; 11. Nate Fletcher, Timpview, 10.45; 12. Ryan Bradshaw, Am. Fork, 10.49; 13. Jack Heaton, Provo, 10.49; 14. Tanner Smedley, Kearns, 10.52; 15. Josh Shrewsberry, Kearns, 10.55.
Girls Varsity
Team scores: 1. Davis 63.34, 2. Timpanogos 66.03, 3. American Fork 68.04, 4, Judge 68.04.
Individuals: 1. Danielle Menlove, Jordan, 12.13; 2. Candace Eddy, Davis, 12.25; 3. Meghan Hedquist, Davis, 12.30; 4. Mary Brown, Wasatch, 12.33; 5. Macinze Overy, Mtn. Crest, 12.35; 6. Brooke Hodson, Timpanogos, 12.36; 7. Kendy Christensen, Orem, 12.36; 8. Emily Hansen, Davis, 12.48; 9. Whitney Curtis, Mtn. Crest, 12.50; 10. Stephanie Honey, N. Sanpete, 12.53; 11. Katie Swanson, Davis, 12.54; 12. Nicole Peterson, Rock Springs, 12.56; 13. Julianne Wirthlin, Davis, 12.57; 14. Alexis Laws, Am. Fork, 12.58; 15. Hannah Williams, Syracuse, 12.58.
Boys Junior Varsity
1. John Faye, Judge, 10.57; 2. Carson Fugal, Park City, 11.01; 3. Taylor Charles, Orem, 11.06; 4. Mac Morrison, Am. Fork, 11.07; 5. Cameron Edwards, Park City, 11.10; 7. Dane Smith, Timpanogo, 11.14; 11. Joshua Peavler, Timpview, 11.20; 12. Andrew Jefferson, Orem, 11.21; 14. Holden Adams, Springville, 11.23.
Girls Junior Varsity
1. Amy Allred, Layton, 12.35; 2. Gillian Gorelik, Park City, 12.38; 3. McKenzie Snyder, Park City, 12.45; 4. Andrea Chavez, unknown, 12.47; 5. Jesse Christians, Park City, 12.48; 8. Patricia Smith, Carbon, 13.07.