Godwin and Olinger Defend Titles @ Buchholz Bobcat Classic

 

Virtual meets are a wonderful way to view the competition in a perfect world where all the athletes perform at their highest level; it’s a “Paper Race”.   Chris Godwin of Buchholz did exactly what he was supposed to do during the real race, while holding off a quality field of runners that included 19 athletes that broke the 17 minute barrier, in conditions that were not as terrible as much of the central Florida was receiving.   Godwin, who came into the meet with a season best 15:32 got out with a strong lead pack of 6 runners that were led at the mile by Andrew Carpenter, and Kyler Kathman of Spruce Creek in a time of 4:56. Also along with the lead pack were Garret Westlake of PK Yonge, Nathan Reich of Milton, GA, and Brian Anderson of Lyman.   

 

After the mile things began to change as Godwin used his course knowledge of the hometown course to his own advantage as he pulled out into a strong lead, and was followed closely by Westlake until a final surge broke the duo up on the way to Godwin’s victorious 15:48.92.  Now on paper the team competition was supposed to be won by PK Yonge, but I don’t think that the Milton team got the memo as they placed their top 5 runners in the top 25 on their way to a team score of 75 points over PK Yonge 88, Spruce Creek’s 91, and Mandarin’s 93, with the top 5 being rounded out by Lyman with 118.

 

For that one rare meet the ladies enjoyed something different, they followed the boys today.  Maybe that was just the right ingredient to push the leaders to new heights.  Coming into today’s competition “on Paper”, Mary Kate Ponder (18:40.60) was statistically the leader, followed by Brittney Olsinger of Oak Hall (18:42.50) set last weekend at Great American, and Annie Kelly of Milton, GA was sixth(19:40.00). 

 

Once again, “Paper Races” don’t always prove to be real world friendly, because Brittney Olinger was also fueled by the fact that she was the defending race champion from 2010, and Annie Kelly has run on courses that shall we say are not shall we say speed friendly.  From the start of the race it was clear that this was going to be a great matchup, as the trio got out quickly with Ponder and Olsinger, followed closely by Kelly and her trademark bandana.  As the girls went through the mile marks while fighting the gusting wind it was not until the last 700 meters when Olsinger broke away in route to a repeat victory in 18:36.11, followed by Mary Kate Ponder of Mandarin 18:44.33, and Annie Kelly of Milton, GA in 18:55.35.  The team race was definitely intense as it came down to a battle of who wanted it the most with Oak Hall, Milton and Spruce Creek trading punches until the end.  As the dust came to settle on the windy field of competition it was Oak Hall winning by 1 point over Milton, 44-45, with Spruce Creek a very close 3rd with 51 points with all 3 teams placing their top 5 runners in the top 17 places.

For the cross country enthusiast if the “Varsity” race is the crown jewel, then the JV races must be made of jewelers.  While Varsity runners continuously push the envelope to prove their star power to their teammates the JV runners run to get that one extra look by their coach that could bring them to the next level.  It’s a pure battle of runner vs. attrition, and while for some breaking that 30 minute barrier might seem to be  a non event, but for others it’s worthy of a special dinner, or just that one pat on the back by your coach that says “Well Done”.  The JV race lacks nothing when it comes to drama, and the finish line is by far the best place to see the action unfold as runners approach with what some could say is an adrenaline rush.  It’s not unlikely that you will see a JV runner dive for the line, or blaze past several opponents in an effort to secure that top 20 spot and the elusive new PR.  Today’s action was not out of the ordinary from start to finish with the runners getting out to a fast start and then pushing themselves in front of all their family, friends and Varsity Peers as they spent every ounce of  their energy pushing for that new PR, Season’s best.  From the gun in the boy’s race it was Anthony Machan, and Tom Jurgens of Milton, GA who led the lead pack through the gusty winds in their attempt to avoid that rain that was showing on everyone’s cell phone radar.  At the finish we were all treated to some great times as Machan, and Jurgens went 1, 2 in 17:27.28 and 17:51.89, followed closely by Ty Preston of Mandarin in 17:59.02 and Anthony Greggo of Spruce Creek in 17:59.52.  No, maybe they weren’t the 15:40’s of the varsity winner, but you would not have known it by the expressions as they crossed the tape.  Milton took team honors with 26 points followed by Mandarin (42), and Spruce Creek with 69.

 

The girls JV found two very large teams from Milton and Spruce Creek once again battling it out as they traded punches, but that Milton team is as deep as they come.  In the end it was Jacqueline Mahoney and Michelle Pick of Milton going 1,2 in 21:14.36, and 22:09.53, followed closely by Anna Kelly and Leah Glassburn of Spruce Creek in 22:19.80, and 22:21.08.  Milton finished with 6 runners in the top 10 in route to a 23-35 victory of Spruce Creek.  It was a great meet on a somewhat fast course with a wind that was not a real friend, but in the end the rain held off until the last award was handed out so Coach Norris must be a very blessed individual.  Great Job by all that attended and especially by the Buchholz Booster club for helping to put on yet another quality event.