Springs Valley Community High School

Going into the Jasper Wildcat XC Invitational today the SV coaches and boys team figured they were running for second place because they were without the services of their fifth and sixth runners. Injuries to Harry and Henry Dybsetter put them out for this race and seemed to dash the team’s hopes of beating Jasper and winning the team title. Valley and Jasper had already raced 3 times this season, with Jasper winning 2. The coaches felt, under the circumstances, second place was within reach and thus a victory on its own. However the boys had other ideas. The top 4 ran solid races to grab 4 of the first 8 places. Their high finishes allowed some leverage for freshman Dane Harris to get that 5th and final scoring spot. Harris' run was key as he put some surges in to pass a few runners and stayed strong which was just enough to secure the victory for the Hawks. It was close with Valley at 54 points and Jasper just 2 back at 56 points. Coach Derek Freeman, obviously delighted with the sweet and unexpected victory said, ”This team has a bottomless pit of determination and drive. They work so unbelievably hard and ask what more they can do to improve. To come out and do what they did today, rallying as a team to win even with being two men down shows their resilience and strength to overcome even in the face of adversity.” In the boys’ race, which was carried live by WITZ-Jasper radio, it figured to be a showdown between Valley’s top three runners of Grant Brown, Alan Marshall, Carson Brown along with South Knox’s Calvin Crabtree and Jasper’s Calvin Seitz. The race did not disappoint with Seitz winning the race in a new course record of 16:00. Crabtree, who came in as the favorite, was 2nd in 16:27. Springs Valley took the next 3 spots, all going under 17 minutes, as Alan Marshall crossed in 3rd just behind Crabtree at 16:33, Grant was 4th in 16:47 and Carson 5th in 16:53. Andre Ayres was key, coming in a strong 8th place at 17:13. Freshman Dane Harris grabbed that 5th scoring spot in 34th place with a solid 19:27. Matthew Woolsey ran well in the team’s 6th place with a time of 21:44. Keaton Thacker rounded out the placing for the Hawks with a new PR time of 22:28. For the girls all five started the race but top runner Sophie Harris was unable to finish which put Addi Moffatt front and center to lead the Hawks around the 5K course. She ran a steady race to finish in 28th at 23:46 and the 4th best freshman finisher. Keira Lynch was 2nd for the team, 37th overall in 24:57. Jadyn Lynch was 3rd for the team, 51st overall in 27:14. Macie Mayhew was the 4th and final finisher in 66th at 30:40. The importance of these girls to just get some races under their belt cannot be overstated. Today they were able to move a step closer in getting in better condition as we move into conference and sectional competition. Coach Freeman said, “We are proud of their effort today”. The victory over Jasper on their home course at their own invitational without some of your key runners seemed to be improbable at the beginning of day but this team, who has a Naval Seal battle cry of, “Who's gonna to carry the boats”, rises to the occasion time and time again to work together and carry one another. The team lived that mantra today, rising up to ‘carry the boats’ for those who couldn’t. Their drive and determination bodes well for the rest of season as Coach Freeman said, “These kids aren’t afraid to attack their goals and it shows. I am so excited for the weeks ahead”. Since the PLAC conference meet and IHSAA tournament have been scheduled a week later than normal this season, the Hawks now have 2 weeks off which will give them time to nurse the injuries. They will be back in action at the PLAC Conference Meet on Saturday, October 7th. It's a meet that neither the Valley boys or girls teams have ever won but they certainly have had that day circled on their calendar since the season began. For now the teams will heal and continue to work toward the PLAC meet. All the results from today's meet can be seen here: https://bit.ly/3rrAtXi