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Mountain View runners pose for photos with the title trophy after the 2021 5A state boys cross country race at the Regional Athletic Complex in Rose Park on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021. (Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald)

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Lehi senior Jefferson McMullin wins the 2021 5A state boys cross country race at the Regional Athletic Complex in Rose Park on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021. (Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald)

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Lehi senior Jefferson McMullin (right) runs in front of Orem junior Tayson Echohawk during the 2021 5A state boys cross country race at the Regional Athletic Complex in Rose Park on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021. (Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald)

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Mountain View runners prepare for the start of the 2021 5A state boys cross country race at the Regional Athletic Complex in Rose Park on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021. (Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald)

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Runners compete in the 2021 5A state boys cross country race at the Regional Athletic Complex in Rose Park on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021. (Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald)

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Lehi senior Jefferson McMullin (left) leads the pack during the 2021 5A state boys cross country race at the Regional Athletic Complex in Rose Park on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021. (Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald)

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Mountain View runners talk things over after the 2021 5A state boys cross country race at the Regional Athletic Complex in Rose Park on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021. (Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald)

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Lehi senior Jefferson McMullin (right) high-fives a teammate after the 2021 5A state boys cross country race at the Regional Athletic Complex in Rose Park on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021. (Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald)

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Runners compete in the 2021 5A state boys cross country race at the Regional Athletic Complex in Rose Park on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021. (Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald)

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Lehi senior Jefferson McMullin (right) runs in front of Orem junior Tayson Echohawk during the 2021 5A state boys cross country race at the Regional Athletic Complex in Rose Park on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021. (Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald)

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It can be tough to dethrone the powerhouses in high school boys cross country as successful teams and individuals often enjoy success year after year.

Neither the Mountain View squad and Lehi senior Jefferson McMullin fit that mold, since in 2020 the Bruins were fourth while McMullin came in 11th.

This year, however, they left no doubt about just how good they were.

McMullin dominated the race, winning the individual title by more than 15 seconds over Timpview junior Tayson Echohawk (15:06.8-15:22.1).

The Bruins were just as impressive in the team competition, defeating second-place Timpanogos by 68 points (88-156) and having all seven runners finish in the top 36 overall.

McMullin said that while the race was challenging, he felt like victory came down to the work he put in since last year.

“I felt like it was about what happened in the summer with all my preparation work, the practice and the effort I put in before this,” McMullin said. “Coming in I felt like this was my opportunity to prove myself and show that preparation.”

He said he felt prepared but wanted to be flexible.

“I had amazing competition today,” McMullin said. “I wanted to be confident in myself and my training. On the line, I felt the butterflies like normal. Once we took off, it was time to put in the work.”

He said he was right with Echohawk through the first couple of miles but felt like he saw an opening.

“He pushed me to go harder over every single turn,” McMullin said. “It was close and I was getting a little nervous, but I made myself calm down. I could hear Tayson was panting behind me, so there was an opportunity. Although my body didn’t want to go, I knew I had to. I put a push in and I didn’t hear him as much. I tried to carry that momentum and then tried to put everything I had into the end of the race.”

He said crossing the line was a culmination of everything he had done.

“That was a moment I’ve dreamed about for a year now,” McMullin said. “I finished last year’s state meet and I was hungry for more. I wanted it all. When I finally saw that tape and knew no one was there, it was a special thing coming across that line and knowing I put it all out there.”

While the Bruins didn’t have a runner in the top three, they knew they had the depth to win as a team.

“We were coming in pretty nervous because it was state but we knew what we needed to do,” Mountain View junior Mack Waite said. “We knew we wanted it. It took care of itself. It was awesome to get it done, even though a lot of guys didn’t race super-well. It was awesome.”

Bruin head coach Mike Strauss said he was thrilled by how his squad ran a smart race.

“You try to script it as well as you can,” Strauss said. “Sometimes they throw that out and then you are like, well, whatever happens happens. But if they follow it, then you know it was going to be good. It was awesome to see them stick to it and they got what they came for.”

He attributed Mountain View’s success to how committed all of the runners were this year.

“The boys really came together,” Strauss said. “This year has been really different with getting these kids to commit and follow through. Everyone kept it going and that made it so they could perform well.”

Waite said he saw the team go through the grind with early morning runs and weightlifting every day.

“Everyone on varsity did it every single day,” Waite said. “No one missed ever. We put the time in and it definitely paid off.”

That gave him the thrilling experience of hearing that his team had won the title.

“After the race, I was kind of mad about how I performed,” Waite said. “But once they said that Mountain View won, every emotion came and I was just screaming. It was worth it.”

Utah Valley teams once again dominated the 5A boys competition as Mountain View and Timpanogos were followed by Orem in third, Lehi in fourth, Springville in sixth and Timpview in seventh.

Seven of the top 10 finishers were also from the area as McMullin and Echohawk were followed by Mountain View junior Liam Heninger (fourth), Springville senior Logan Garnica (fifth), Timpanogos senior Britton Moffitt (sixth), Timpview senior Isaac Hedengren (seventh) and Cedar Valley sophomore Luke Anderson (ninth).

For complete details from the state cross country meet, go to UHSAA.org.

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