Josh Paulson 5k PR 18:49 - Blaine Invitational '09. Captain. Josh prefers to get out fast in races, and beyond the race course as well. He was elected captain by his teammates even though it was his first season in cc. He ran varsity and relied on his aerobic base, which he developed during the swim season. Josh was a team leader all year who has great enthusiasm for sport and friends. It is hard to imagine what the boys team would have been like sans Josh this season.
Nick Beaudoin 5k PR 19:18 - Classic Suburan Conference '09. Nick was out for the team for the first time; a recruit of friend and teammate Sam Cox. He is one who prefers to let his actions speak for themselves. Nick posseses a smooth, quiet, and powerful running style. He is a nice young man and a solid athlete. He can be a CC runner to be feared provided he revs his aerobic engine during the off-season. Nick is also an excellent student.
Sam Cox 5k PR 20:07 - Section 3AA Championship '08. This was Sam's second year of competing in cross country. Sam consistently was at practice for the summer season. His training had him looking his sharpest early on in the year. Academics and other activities shifted his focus away from CC during the latter parts of the season. Sam was a good recruiter and is a popular teammate. The team needs Sam back at full- boar for next season.
Cola Jensen 5k PR 19:36 - Section 3AA Championship '09. A varsity wrestler, Cola emerged as the varisty 4th man on the cross country squad, always a key spot for scoring at meets. Fortunately for the team he is a dedicated worker and does not miss practice. Cola raced at some slick courses this season while only wearing his training shoes. He proved that he is a strength runner, but he may like the feel of spikes for next year.
Connor Phares 5k PR 20:28 - Section 3AA Championship '09. Connor's work ethic was evident as a freshmen; he was always at practice and had numerous PR's. He showed even more work ethic as a sophomore. He is looking like a tough competitor and an important team member in CC in addition to nordic skiing. Connor was the one behind the 'destination run' to A&W for Root Beer.
Robin Schauls 5k PR 19:43 - Section 3AA Championship '08. There have been many wrestlers who come out to get in shape for the winter season, and Robin fits into this category. Robin's season was up and down. It is clear that Robin has the ability to be a consistent varsity runner but the commitment must be there. He has run the times in the past, proving that he can contribute to the varsity team in the future.
Max Wellens 5k PR 17:16 - Section 3AA Championship '09. Captain. Outstanding MS Practice Worker award '07. Varsity Practice Worker award '08. Never one who is short of something to say, Max, aka 'Max Man' the top varsity runner was ready to go during summer practice and then, along with millions of others, caught the H1N1 flu virus. This caused him to miss key competition. He was able to regain his form and deliver a solid performance at the csc conference meet, earning Honorable Mention All-Conference Honors. At the Region meet he led his team and ran his best 5K race to date. Max still has his sights on big goals, right here, at Simley.
TJ Farber 5k PR 21:50 - Classic Suburban Conference '09. In his third season in CC already, TJ should be gaining confidence in meets as he had numerous PR's at the end of the season. He was at early season practices and then was off doing numerous activities, including travel. We hope TJ continues to improve and travel in the future. It is important that he brings his running shoes along with him on trips because he could be running varsity soon.
Trevor Schauls 5k PR 27:16 - Blaine Invitational '09. Trevor was a recruit of his older brother, Robin, who was also interested in joining cross country to get into shape. Trevor usually has a question or two before practice starts which is ok. Hopefully Trevor finds himself more fit for the upcoming wrestling season.
Mandi Holst 4k PR 17:09 - Farmington '08. Captain '08. MVP award '06-'08. Mandi cares about the team during competition and she cares for her teammates away from it. When a team member went down this year, Mandi was there to help her out; a true leader throughout the season. Her best race of the year, and maybe high school career, was at the Region 3AA meet where she ran determined to finish right. She was completely spent after the race. Mandi ran with purpose during her career. Over the past four years Mandi has been the top distance runner at Simley.
Jordan Jonker 4k PR 19:29 - Blaine Invitational '09. Captain. Jordan was asked to be on the team by coaches who noted her work ethic and positive attitude during track and field. Once she joined the team her teammates seemed to note this and elected her as one of the captains. Jordan was the 6th runner for the varsity team at the conference meet. Due to a tie breaker, her finish enabled the team to defeat our friendly rivals to the south. CC is about everyone chipping in and Jordan exemplifies what can happen if you have a good spirit and work to improve your team.
Mary Pringle 4k PR 18:47 - Farmington '08. Captain '08-'09. Team Contributor award '07. Mary participated in track & field again this past spring and showed up at the first day of practice a step ahead from last year. She is consistently at practice and hopes to continue to improve in CC by running track again. Mary's experience is an example for others as to the importance of running in the spring.
Andrea Castillo 4k PR 17:51 - Blaine Invitational '09. Andrea has a phenomenal drive to make herself a better runner. She ran the longest on the team, including the boys. Her long runs were up to 10-15 miles. Out of the gate at the Dakota Invite, she emerged as the top varsity runner, although a persistent Mandi Holst chased her down all season to retain that honor. Andrea, who is from the spectacular South American country of Peru, has a work ethic which will pay dividends down the line. As a teammate she is kind and respectfull which already has paid off.
Shayla Howell 4k PR 19:29 - Blaine Invitational '09. When the coaches asked others for potential recruits last off season, Shayla's name came up frequently. After track and field, she commited to run CC in the fall. New teammates and parents expressed excitement when they heard she was going to join the team. She has a great kick and is building endurance, including during the nordic ski season. She is an excellent student who is a dynamic member of a rising girls team.
Cori Nordstrom 4k PR 18:17 - Section 3AA Championship '08. Captain. Most Improved award '07. Cori was at some early summer practices and was elected captain due to her devotion to team building. She is still working through a knee injury and 2009 was not her best running year to date, yet she found other ways to contribute. Cori will rebound because she is smart and remains an important leader on the girls team.
Summer Freed 4k PR 19:43 - Classic Suburban Conference Preview '09. Summer was out for the team for the first time this season and helped the varsity girls team score. She participates in theater and nordic skiing and made a good transition to cc. She can be identified by her colorful socks and hats. Her entire family, including younger sister Margie, just took a trip to Greece.
Mady David Mady, the only 8th grader this past season, enabled the girls varsity team to score and compete at both regions and conference finals last year. With more girls on the team now, she was able to run at middle school meets. Mady is a good teammate who looks out for the younger kids.
Madeline Darsaw Madeline ran hard at races and did a great job to keep up with some of the bigger kids. She is a tough cookie who made it through the entire season.
Margie Freed Margie is a great worker. She can run with the boys at practice and meets. The last girl at Simley who kept up with the boys wound up on the U of M Gophers women's CC team.
Lucy Fritz Lucy is a nice young runner. She is full of personality and is not shy at practice. She fought through an injury during the season.
Alexa Vandermeer Alexa was introduced to CC after a great track and field season last spring. Her coaches could see why; she was always near the front at races and during workouts. Alexa is a busy and dedicated young athlete who had an achilles injury from soccer but worked through it.
Jacob El-Afandi Jacob has been placed ahead academically and is already in 7th grade. Jacob works at practice and exemplified this years 'resilency goal' at two Fun Friday's. After one tough day at the park, a couple of weeks later, Jake bounced back to be a key member of his capture the flag team. A canny and well timed strategy released teammates from jail and they went on to win.
Dillon Eddy Dillon is a good young athlete and competitor who can help the team going forward.
Phil Henderson Phil was able to see the season through and showed promise at practices. At the ultimate frisbee Fun Friday, he was very good, but we hope that Phil stays with cross country.
Parker Johnson Parker is one who shows potential in CC and was a good runner this year.
Zack Langton Zack is a competitor who has a good personality at practice and is fun to be around.
Cameron Lulic Cameron, an easy going and positive young man, can be a great CC team member in the future.
Sam Morissett The first question of the day of all of the middle schoolers usually comes from Sam who works at practice, when he decides to, and is also a new big brother. Good Luck Sam!
Elliot Nelson Elliot was one of the top harriers in the middle school group. He leads with solid practice habits and hard running at meets. Elliot has distance runners among his family. He is a great kid who will experience the joys of success in CC if he is dilligent and keeps it fun.
Jacob Myran Jacob shows up to practice excited and ready to go, even though CC is not his first sport. We hope he changes his mind and makes it a sport of choice.
Kyle Nordstrom It is hard not to get excited about the future of CC when you mention Kyle. Staying away from football kept him injury free although he did have emergency surgery this summer. He made the tail end of the top 5 varsity and saved the varsity team's tail end.
Tyler Prifel Tyler is a mid-pack runner at practices, but likes to get up to the front of the pack at meets.
Matt Sivertson Matt was on the middle school team for the second time this season, and the coaches hope that he has a long CC career.
the many successes along the way. - Author Unknown