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NXN Southwest Preview - Erik Boal - DyeStat

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DyeStat.com   Nov 22nd 2014, 12:43am
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Rainsberger, others re-emerge after month off

 

By Erik Boal, DyeStatCAL Editor

 
For Katie Rainsberger, it's been all about layers, both in clothing and in training.


Since winning the Colorado state 4A title Oct. 25, the Air Academy junior has had to be creative with her training schedule as a result of unforgiving weather, including a three-day stretch last week where the temperatures ranged from minus-4 to 16 degrees.


"Just when you think you've got enough layers on, you need to put on one more," Rainsberger said. "Because of the cold and the wind, there were days where I just ran on the treadmill or the indoor track, just so I could get a workout done. I'm really excited to finally race Saturday."


Rainsberger won't have to worry about extreme weather at the NXN Southwest Regional, with temperatures expected to be in the low 70s for the 5-kilometer girls championship race Saturday in Casa Grande, Ariz.


But she'll face one of the country's most challenging regional fields in her attempt to return to Nike Cross Nationals on Dec. 6 at Glendoveer Golf Course in Portland, Ore.


Although Elise Cranny of Niwot High in Colorado -- the defending regional champion who was second at Nike Cross Nationals -- is now a freshman at Stanford, the next five finishers from last year's race return, including Rainsberger placing third.


Utah state 5A champion Lucy Biles of Herriman High, Arizona state Division 1 champion Dani Jones of Desert Vista, Utah state 3A runner-up Alyssa Snyder of Park City and Colorado state 5A winner Lauren Gregory of Fort Collins are also back from last year's race.


They'll be joined by Utah state 3A champion Kashley Carter of Juab and Utah state 5A runner-up Aubrey Argyle of Davis.


"Two years in a row at nationals, the Southwest girls won (over individuals from other regionals), so it shows how much talent we have," Rainsberger said. "You have to prepare for it to be tough. You have to prepare to suffer because the competition is going to be intense."


Rainsberger and Jones produced one of the most impressive battles of the regular season when they competed on the same Casa Grande course Oct. 3 at the Desert Twilight Festival. Rainsberger won in 16:41.63, with Jones right behind in 16:42.99.


"I think it's a really big benefit coming in having run there before because you know where it hurts. Mentally you know what to expect and physically you know what to expect, so I think that experience was really important," Rainsberger said. "Having the state meet when I did allowed me to get a solid block of training in with good, hard, consistent workouts. Even thought I didn't race, I had people around me that pushed me and I would treat the last mile of a workout as if it were the last mile of the race.


"Physically and mentally I know I'm prepared for Saturday. It's been all about putting steady, consistent layers on top of one another to get to this point. I've had to keep things in perspective from one race to the next and focus on smaller goals on the way to achieving bigger goals. Right now, this is the most important step."


Jones, who set the Cave Creek course record of 17:26 at the Arizona state final Nov. 8, is not only in contention for the individual title but Desert Vista is favored to capture the girls team championship after placing sixth at last year's regional.


"With state under my belt, I'm excited to see what I can do in better conditions and more competition. It was a great start to the championship season, which is exactly what I've been training for. I know there are great things ahead for my team and I," Jones said. "We have been working since June 1 and we're still waiting for our breakout race as a team. For me individually, I didn't feel like I had a very successful early season. State was a great confidence booster after some disappointing races earlier on and I'm ready to keep moving forward with the big races to come."


Although the boys championship race doesn't boast the same individual depth as the girls, Utah state 5A champion American Fork -- the nation's top-ranked team -- and runner-up Davis will renew their rivalry against a field that also includes Utah state 4A winner Timpanogos, Utah state 3A champ Desert Hills and Arizona Division 1 state title holder Desert Vista.


Colorado state 2A champion Paul Roberts of Lyons and Arizona Division 3 state winner Carlos Villarreal of Rio Rico are among the leading contenders for the individual title, along with American Fork's Zac Jacklin, who placed third at last year's regionals. New Mexico state champ Niles Thomas of Miyamura and Nevada state champion Dajour Braxton, and Colorado's Zach Alhamra, are also in the mix.



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1 comment(s)
Coach Parise
It should fun tomorrow. It's time to see where we stack up against some of the top teams in the country. I think we will surprise some people.
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