Sanderson cross country
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY KAREN COOK
Sanderson cross country runners (from left) Billy Fetzner, Andrew White, Ben Boyles, Matt Geisz, Mitchell Feldman, Philip Hathaway and Matt Schick combined to capture first place at UNC-Wilmington's Seahawk Invitational last weekend. With the victory, the Spartans claimed No. 1 in the NCRUNNERS.COM Cross Country Coaches Poll this week.
Spartans shine at Seahawk Invitational
Area teams square off Saturday at Wolfpack Invitation in Cary
Following last week's impressive first-place finish at the UNC-Wilmington's Seahawk Invitational, it seems incorrect to merely say the Sanderson boys cross country team is hitting its stride. Just check out the times the Spartans posted — they were going much faster than that.
With Matt Schick — who placed fifth overall with a time of 15:54.02 — leading the way, the Sanderson showcased its great depth as all seven Spartan runners placed in the top 108.
And no one finished slower than 17:51.22.
Matt Geisz (13th place), Philip Hathaway (23rd), Mitchell Feldman (36th), Andrew White (48th), Ben Boyles (67th) and Billy Fetzner (108th) rounded out the Sanderson's lineup.
With the victory, the Spartans — who beat second-place finisher Broughton by 37 points — took control of the No. 1 position in the NCRUNNERS.COM Cross Country Coaches Poll this week as well. Click here to see the poll.
A few days after the milestone win, the group sat out Wednesday's dual-meet at Millbrook, resting their legs for this Saturday's 16th annual Reebok Wolfpack High School Cross Country Invitation at WakeMed Soccer Complex in Cary.
Having had a few days to contemplate the win, Boyles, Geisz, Hathaway, Schick and White explained their success can all be traced back to the time they've dedicated in the off-season.
"The main thing is we all had confidence in our training, and we have confidence in the work we have put in," Boyles said. "That helps going out there because you know you can do this. We know we have the ability to go out there and run the race that we want to race."
Their expectations were high entering the meet, Hathaway said, pointing out the Spartans defeated Broughton — the defending state champions — earlier in the year. But there was a little uncertainty.
"We beat Broughton at Kickoff Classic (Aug. 22), but that was a 3K, not a 5K," he reasoned.
Schick admitted he was nervous leading up to the start, but it obviously didn't affect him as the Spartan finished just 30 seconds behind winner Mohamed Abushouk from Cary High.
"We are very confident that if we did not come out on top, then very close to the top," Schick said later.
Not entirely under the radar entering the race — Sanderson was ranked No. 4 in the state beforehand — the Spartans will definitely have a bulls'-eye at the Wolfpack Invitation.
"We have a target now, that's good and bad, it is nice to finally get the respect we have been working for so long," Schick said. "But people are now out to beat us."
But don't expect the Spartans to tighten up as expectations grow.
The group credited its team-mentality for its recent success, adding they don't take themselves too seriously away from the course. That is evident by the photograph above.
"We are just kind of crazy group, and we all like to have fun," Boyles said. "When we're not working, we are always joking around."
Schick added its an important element to their camaraderie.
"You need that [closeness] because it's a team sport," he said.
Leesville Road captured fifth place at the Seahawk Invitational as Christian Klute (19), Aaron Smith (24) and Will Woodhouse (27) all finished in the Top 30. The Pride are ranked seventh in the state.
George Stiak captured 178th place, leading Wakefield's five-man squad.
Sanderson, as well as Cap-7 Conference foes Leesville Road and Millbrook, are scheduled to compete at Saturday's Wolfpack Invitation. Mitch Mallory and several other Wakefield runners are also likely to attend.
The girls championship 5K is slated for 10 a.m., with the boys championship to follow 40 minutes later.
Other news from the Seahawk Invitational
The Sanderson boys cross country team wasn't the only squad to make noise at the last week's race.
In fact, they weren't the only Spartans who put together a great showing.
In the girls' race, Allison and Samantha Cook finished, sixth and 18th, respectively, leading the Lady Spartans to a 13th-place finish.
Monica Litsas (65), Kaitlyn Burnette (117), Maddie Divittorio (119), Erin Smothers (122) and Anna Taylor (130) also ran for Sanderson.
Leesville's Lauren Strapp nearly fought her way to the front of the race, placing fourth with a time of 18:39.86. The Pride's Emily Putnan took 31st.
Wakefield's Devon Enderle and Alex Wells finished 85th and 100th, respectively.
