Atlee's Preseason Time Trial
Every four or five years comes a significant year for teams that are in a rebuilding faze. This is definitely that year for Atlee. After rebuilding the boys team for a couple years and the girls team building up, they are at a deciding point to either stay the same or take a huge step forward. They definitely have the talent though to make that huge step forward but with all XC teams, it is decision that must be made at practices and on the course in the post-season.
The girls finished 6th last year in the 5A North region and 10th overall in the state. They return four from their top seven and their top returner is Laney Owen who has a 19:24 best for 5K.
This group of ladies will certainly be looking for another bid to states and Laney will be looking to drop her time and crack into an all-state finish.
On the boys' side of things, they finished 8th last year at regionals and fell just short of a bid to states. This is quite impressive considering they ran just five guys at regionals, the only team to do that.
They return four of their five and two of those guys will return again next year. This is a huge year for the program and the boys' team in particular.
During the time trial itself, Laney made quick work of it and never looked back. She dabbed her way across the line in 18:20 for the 2.70 mile distance.
For the boys it was an absolute foot race down the homestretch, or more appropriately around the home turns. Kameron Helmlinger took it in 15:08 despite a strong late surge from top returner Connor Moses who finished in 15:11.
After his finish Kameron didn't dab but he did say "Now I'm hungry"... who knows, maybe this will be their team slogan this year because it seems they certainly are with this strong team time trial.