By Dave Belcher
Moapa Valley Progress
In 2009 the Moapa Valley High School cross country team accomplished a feat that no other cross country team in Moapa Valley history had accomplished before. They were the State Runner up as a team and had the first individual Champion in Moapa Valley.
Josh Thompson won the individual Title with a time of 17:17 in Reno. He beat the defending state champion from Boulder City Sr. Matt Lundgren by 21 seconds.
Only the top team in the region gets to go to the State Meet. The North qualifies three teams. After the qualifying team the next five finishers in the Division meet will also qualify to the State meet as individuals. They cannot score team points. The points are awarded to only a runner whose team has qualified.
Only the top five runners per team can score. The team with the lowest point total wins. The team scoring is awarded by the 1st place runner getting one point, 2nd two points and so forth. The Pirates took seven on their team so two didn’t score. Thompson was awarded one point while Lundgren didn’t receive any for his 2nd place finish because Boulder City didn’t qualify as a team. Last year’s State Championship team was Lowry who scored 24 points. The Lowry team were all seniors while the Pirate squad was made up of juniors and a sophomore.
This puts the Pirates in as the favorites to win the title in Boulder City this year with everyone returning. The dream team includes Josh Thompson, Chase Witter, Brendan Watkins, Cody Wood, Shae Bryant, Derrick Cameron and Isaiah Boren. Coaching the team will be Richard Bush.
Last year, the Pirates scored a team total of 40 for the second place finish.
On the girls team, Coach Teresa Boren believes that things are looking good. “The program is growing every year,” she said.
Returning this season are State qualifiers, senior Jessany Mortensen and junior Tibi Willard. Jessica Robison (senior) and Alexis Cooper (junior) are also back in action.
“Additionally, we have a few girls out this year who are new to the sport all together,” said Boren “Our hope is that Girls Cross Country will see many successes as a team and as individuals.”
MVHS Cross Country 2010 Schedule
Aug 31, 2010 5:30 PM @ Arbor View
Sep 15, 2010 5:30 PM @ Shadow Ridge
Sep 21, 2010 4:30 PM @ Arbor View
Sep 29, 2010 4:30 PM @ Centennial
Oct 29, 2010 TBD @ Laughlin