Region 11 Championship - Recap
Hoover & Vacari STATE BOUND!! Gingerich Soph. run concludes......
“What a glorious day!” said Fairbanks head coach Mike Van Winkle at the conclusion of the Region 11 meet on Saturday. “You really can’t ask for more. The skies were pure, azure blue, the sun was out and the wind was negligible. I mean, you just don’t get conditions like these when you’re talking about a Regional meet. The heavens were certainly smiling on central Ohio today.” And the Panthers were smiling too, as two-thirds of their contingent advanced onto the State meet to be held next Saturday at the Obetz Fortress.
The morning started when Zeke Gingerich, flanked by his entourage of the Nisly brothers and Nicholas Johnson, warmed-up and stood at the line, ready for his second Regional meet of his young career. The whistle blew, the runners readied, and POW! The gun went off. Gingerich flew down the opening straightaway, and did his best to stay near the front of the pack, but despite his effort, when he crossed the finish line, he was in 64th place having run an 18:09. “I’m okay with my run today. I mean, if I were to have advanced, I would’ve had to go into the 16 minute realm, and I’m not quite ready for that yet. But running at Regionals is such an awesome experience and this always gives me something to shoot for next year. I gave it my best, but now, my season is over and it’s time to start focusing on my Minnesota Vikings as they make a push for the playoffs. I mean, have you seen this team? Kirk Cousins is a beast! He would’ve won the meet today if he had run.”
The boys’ race over, it was time for the girls to take the line. Junior Rachael Hoover and freshman Mara Vacari did some last second stride-outs and stretches, and before you knew it, the gun sounded: POW! And they were off. Both girls sprinted out strong, near the head of the pack, and they stayed there throughout the entire 3.1 mile course. When the first runners started sailing into the finish line, the Panthers were there! First, Hoover crossed in 19:47 and 7th place. But wait, here comes Vacari! The sardine-packed crowd began chanting her name as she sprinted the final 100m and finished in 14th place with a time of 20:11.
“I felt great out there today,” said Hoover, who has now qualified for three state cross country meets in her career, which is unprecedented in Fairbanks history. “The conditions were perfect and the course seemed like a second home to me. Besides, I saw the results in a dream last night, so there were not any surprises along the way, except for the fact that I’ll be joined by Mara at the state meet. I’m so proud of her and it was such a pleasant surprise to be able to stand up and receive our medals together at the awards ceremony.” “Honestly,” said Vacari, “I don’t even remember the race itself. I was so deep into the zone that it all went by like a blur. Also, I couldn’t stop thinking about eating one of Cam Nisly’s giant chocolate chip cookies when I was finished. I mean, that is true motivation for any runner.”
All in all it was a great day for the Panthers and the season marches on, to be culminated next week at Obetz. Meet information and a preview will be sent out later this week, so stay tuned and enjoy some pictures from the Regional meet below!
Results Link
https://results.timingfirst.com/meets/18971
