The Riverbend boys were arguably the best team in the state not to advance out of their district meet last fall after finishing fifth in the very competitive Commonwealth District. Returning their top three runners (Shaquon Wilkins, Ryan Kuhns, & Gabe Fisher) who all qualified individually to compete in the outdoor state championships despite not having an indoor season with Spotsylvania County getting rid of the winter sport last year, Riverbend is determined and motivated from last year's end of season disappointment to not only get out of the district this fall but go onto compete for a state meet podium finish with their current Group AAA #3 ranking.
One major change from last year's team starts at the top with new head coach Brian Treakle, who is trying to put the emphasis on his runners posting their fastest times and adding in the speedwork later in the season than in past years. Tuesday's workout at Riverbehind High School saw the athletes competing for varsity seven spots running a loop shorter than a mile close to a 1500 meter distance with limited recovery for 4 repeats. Last year's Northwest Region individual runner-up Shaquon Wilkins led the boys squad on the workout negative splitting the 1500 meter intervals with the first two repeats around 5 flat with the group before dropping down and separating from the pack with 4:35 and 4:32 clockings on his last two repeats to close the workout strong.
Meanwhile, Riverbend's top two female runners in Lauren Givens and Peyton Lowe started off running together right at 6 minute pace consistently for much of the repeats before running under the time in the final two. Lowe was the team's top runner last fall and finished her 2009 season strong with a 21st place finish in the Group AAA state race. She is slowly working herself back into top form after a summer knee injury setback. Meanwile, Givens has led the Riverbend girls so far in 2010 cross country season after running 2:23 in the spring for 800 meters. The Riverbend girls finished fifth at the Northwest Region Championships last November and if they are able to get out of nearly as strong Commonwealth District for girls, they will be a darkhorse challenger for a top 4 spot in the region once again.
Pre-Workout Interview w/ Coach Brian Treakle
The Workout - 4x1500 Meters
Post Workout Interview w/ Coach Brian Treakle
Interview w/ Shaquon Wilkins, Ryan Kuhns, & Gabe Fisher
Interview w/ Lauren Givens & Peyton Lowe
The Riverbend boys were arguably the best team in the state not to advance out of their district meet last fall after finishing fifth in the very competitive Commonwealth District. Returning their top three runners (Shaquon Wilkins, Ryan Kuhns, & Gabe Fisher) who all qualified individually to compete in the outdoor state championships despite not having an indoor season with Spotsylvania County getting rid of the winter sport last year, Riverbend is determined and motivated from last year's end of season disappointment to not only get out of the district this fall but go onto compete for a state meet podium finish with their current Group AAA #3 ranking.