Varsity Boys: No Safe Spaces In Sight
Brock Helvey hasn't met many races he wouldn't like to lead. This race was no exception, and Helvey paced the field through a very brisk first mile. That may have helped forestall any feelings of needing to take to lead in order to keep the pace honest in the chase pack.
In fact, in the final analysis, maybe the chase pack would have preferred a bit less ambitious pace through the first mile. But, you work with what you get, not what you planned for.
When it came time for new leadership to take over, the Rock Canyon tandem of Chris Theodore and Easton Allred were happy, and well prepared, to oblige. They would lead the race in tandem the rest of the way. If it matters, Theodore was credited with the win, and both with times of 15:25. That's fast on this course.
Behind them, and also in tandem, Dakota Ridge clogged up places 3 and 4 with Austin Vancil and Connor Ohlson. If it matters, Ohlson took third at 15:38 with Vancil two seconds behind. But those two seconds were likely the largest gap between them over the entire distance of the race.
Through four places, then, Rock Canyon boasted a team score of 3 and Dakota Ridge 7. Nobody else was on the board yet. Rock Canyon would grow their lead to seven points in the final tally, but nobody left feeling like there was a whole lot of difference between the two teams. In fact, Rock Canyon very nearly squandered their lead at the #5 position, so there's much yet to be decided yet between these two 5A powerhouse programs.
Palmer Ridge's 86 points would earn them third, but still 20 points behind Dakota Ridge. Of course, Palmer Ridge is 4A and has a very different set of state meet concerns to stare down than Dakota Ridge or Rock Canyon.
Interestingly, though, Palmer Ridge was the first team in the entire field to close their scoring when Drew Vidano crossed in 17:02 for 24th place. Palmer Ridge still packs it up nicely.
The Classical Academy placed Mason Norman and Ryan Moen in the top ten and went on to walk away with small school honors at the meet at 117 points. Elizabeth's David Fine made it three 3A runners in the top 10.