The Nike Cross Nationals will be webcast LIVE on Saturday at 9:30 AM. Click here to go to the link. 

The California State Championships is, without debate, one of the best cross country meets anywhere. Drawing schools from each of the state's sections, it's a collection of the best and the brightest teams and individual stars. Set on the majestic Woodward Park course in Fresno underneath a canopy of autumn grey clouds and trees exploding in fall colors, the setting is a stage Broadway itself couldn't replicate.

On that brilliant stage strode the "history makers" from King. For Lane Werley, the team's undisputed star and leader, he became the program's first male runner to qualify for the meet in the 11 year history of King XC. The girls team also made the trip, this time not to cheer on a sole teammate as they had in '08 and '06, but to compete as a whole. The joy and excitement was palpable from the moment the caravan of runners and supporters arrived in Fresno.

Earning the right to compete in the State Meet is not an easy achievement, especially when the rounds to qualify are set in the ever-tough Southern Section. So perhaps it was appropriate that on Friday afternoon while the team was previewing the course and checking in, after a brief rain shower passed through the skies opened up with a magnificent rainbow that reached from the greys of the heavens to the golden leaves of earth. After so many miles and hours of work and sweat, the goal had been met and the sacrifices made over a long season were rewarded. The rainbow was symbolic if not beautiful.

The conditions on race day were cold, but the frigid 50's weren't enough to freeze over the enthusiasm to "get the race on." The ladies took the line at 11:45 AM with a goal of finishing in the top 10 of the race. As expected, the pace went out very fast while the Lady Wolves did their best to not get consumed by it. Hanna Peterson and Kelsi Tippets were in the top third by the mile, a split the leaders came by in under 5:40. Hanna had another triumphant performance, running with great poise and purpose and steadily worked her way through the field to eventually sprint home in a time of 18:09 for the 5K course and set a school record in the process! It has been a storybook season for the junior, as just last October she ran 18:54 on the same course at the Clovis Invitational before starting her meteoric rise of late October and November. She moved from a quality number 2 runner on the team to leading the charge  through the CIF rounds and State. In the process she set school records on the Mt.SAC and Woodward Park courses and for good measure in the final race of the season eclipsed the school record by one second. She finished 12th in the meet, matching the highest finish at State for any King girl (Carissa Bowman was 12th in 2006).

Kelsi Tippets  hung on with only one shoe through the last two miles of her second straight State meet for a 54th place finish and then "the pack" which has been the anchor of the team came through again. Carrie Soholt and Raelyn Werley were third and fourth for the team respectively and again showed their mettle after battling injuries over the previous days. Rebecca Asplund completed her high school career with a solid performance in the 5-spot, just off a PR. Katrina Graham did as well, showing one can do a lot in just two years of running. She improved over 30 seconds from the Clovis Invitational. Aubrey Bowman finished 7th for the team at 20:05. Collectively, the group ran 1 second faster in team time than they did on the course in October and notched the #2 time for 5K in school history. They finished 12th overall and concluded a season that by every account was the best in school history.

Lane Werley left the 2009 track season last May a bit shadowed in quality obscurity, as a tough league and a respectable 9:34 3200 meter best left him finished at the league finals and headed toward summer. Had the Vegas bookies back then placed on Lane the odds that he'd have this season, well, let's just say the odds would be very long.  But luck is made in perspiration and commitment, and Lane's been "rolling sevens" all season long. Undefeated in league while challenging for victories in major invitationals, he earned the CIF SS Division One Runner up and entered the stage at Fresno with a primary goal to finish in the medals (top 10 of his race) and a backup goal to run fast enough to qualify for the Nike Cross Nationals held December 5 in Portland Oregon. Such a feat would be tough as he'd not only be matched against the competitors in his own race, but those in all five races of the day. Though some were asking "Lane who??" back in September as he began climbing to the heights of the state's elites, few were asking the same question in Fresno this weekend.  Such recognition was the result of his remarkable consistency at a high level since the day he challenged -- and almost beat --  the reigning "stud of the state" Elias Geydon of Loyola LA way back at the Mt.Carmel Invitational on September 19.

The pace on this day went out "crazy fast" in Lane's words leaving the talented junior to adjust his strategy and pace in the early mile. Where King fans have grown accustomed to seeing the tall talent at the front of the pack, the question by the mile wasn't "Lane who?" but "where's Lane?" as he bided his time some twenty meters off the lead, coming by the mile in 4:45 and in somewhere near 20th place. By two miles he had moved to tenth and came by the split at 9:45.  A tenth of a mile further found him in 8th. By a half mile to go that had dwindled to 6th, and with 600 to go he moved into third and for a few seconds challenged for second. He would settle for third in 15:09; having run an intelligently aggressive race and adding another race-day weapon to his already potent arsenal.

His third place medal was greeted by raucous cheers that went on for some time by his many well wishers and teammates and was a great moment for him personally and the team collectively. Not once has he used his spotlight to create a glare over others, he's shared his achievements with a sense of humility and teammwork that has been admirable.

It wasn't until the group was back in Riverside that the call came from the Nike Cross Nationals director that Lane had earned a berth at the prestigious "National Championship" to be held in Portland Oregon December 5. Unlike his races, he didn't need 15 minutes to make up his mind on this one.

Not bad for a kid few knew just six months ago. Not bad at all. Equally impressive was the girls' first team effort at the State Finals. In all, quite a day for King Cross Country

Photo Gallery   Girls Results   Boys Results  Dyestatcal.com's coverage (including video)

Off season training will be available to all athletes NOT in a winter sport starting on November 30, the day after Thanksgiving. 

Practices with Coach Griesinger and Coach Peters will be structured and run from 2:45 PM to 4:00 PM. We will meet in the normal location, by the outdoor basketball courts.

Those whose season ended at League Finals should resume training on November 30.

The boys whose season ended at CIF Prelims, are to resume training on December 7.

The girls and Lane who are still competing should start three weeks after the final race (CIF Finals or State) 

During this period of "rest" you should remain active by doing light cardio work, lifting weights, bike riding, hiking, taking walks, using elliptical trainers, etc. Don't just sit around.

Brad    Rebecca    Jarod    Danielle   Craig    Derek   Sean   Rebecca   Brandon    Kelsi

Since we had our first-ever graduating class at King, (Class of '02) we've celebrated those who went the full distance of high school, running cross country.  After all, endurance is what the sport is basically about.

This is our largest class of Four Year Runners, and they're an exciting and classy group of athletes.

Check the links below that are full of information on our  fundraising methods.  Please help out!

Scrip Sales    Ralphs Grocery Rewards Card Club   King Bling Gear from CrazySportzMom! 

Thank you to all who participated in our many "Eat Out Nights" during the summer. All told, the program netted $814.80 - split 50/50 that gives CC and Track each $407.40!

attendance record - final     Read our Attendance Policy      Letter points thru 11-14-09     Team Sweats Checkout Numbers

2009 Season Handbook -- Explains policies, procedures, etc

2009 Parent & Athlete Contract/Release form - Must be signed by both parent and student before first race

2009 Time Trials and Workout Results:
October 13th - 3xmile on Parsons Vo2 workout, 3 min. rest
September 3rd. 4 and 5 mile distances in Woodcrest
August 27. 3 miles (same course as July 30)
August 18.  5, 4 and 3 mile distances
August 6. 5, 4, and 3 mile distances at Canyon Crest
July 30. 3 miles

Season's Times: 2001   2002   2003   2004   2005  2006  2007  2008  2009

Googlemaps tool to figuring out how far you've run. Check it out!!

Pace calculator for figuring out speed per mile

MAPS AND DISTANCES OF OFTEN-USED ROUTES:    Big Greens (one lap is 1/2 mile)  Bonanza (7.0)   Cannon (6.75)  Cannon Loop (7.5)  Canyon Crest 8.3  Canyon Crest/Via Vista (10.0)  Chicago River Route (4.4) Chicago River with Trautwein to Krameria (5.9) Chicago River 5-mile version (5.0)  Crystle Ridge (6.4)  Utah (6.2) Foxglen (11)  Gage Canal 10.1  Goat Run with Hill (6.4)     Grove Community/Yarrow/JFK  (6.4) GCY extended (9.9) JFK Threshold Route (2.52) La Sierra 12 miler (12.1) La Sierra 10 miler (10.5)  Markham/Washington (7.7)    Mockingbird Canyon (9.9)  Orange Terrace Mile (1.0) Parson's Threshold Loop (4.0 ttl, 3.2 miles at threshold)  Pipeline (9.75)   Roosevelt Route (5.7) Roosevelt Extended (6.7) Roosevelt Grove Community Combo (11.5) Strasbaugh (5.0)  Scottsdale (9.1)  Victoria/Overlook 11.8

Log your miles here: www.running2win.com.  Make a personal account, then join our team, listed as "King XC".