Excitement Builds for Congress Avenue Mile High School Elite race
by Jeffrey Cunningham and Timo Sheard, 5/14/2010
www.runtex.com/web/1-2168.asp
The excitement is building as we inch closer to yet another Congress Avenue Mile High School Elite race. In a race that pits the top 48 boys’ and top 48 girls’ milers in Texas in a one-shot straight-down-the-street mile to crown Texas’ finest, the talent is as deep as ever. In some ways 2010 may mark the renaissance of the non-UIL (public school) runners, as FEAST home schooled Emily Dunn (4:58.3) is second in the qualifying on the girls side, and Texas Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) all-time record holder Dennis Hodapp of Austin Saint Michael’s (4:11.76) along with Southwest Parochial Conference (SPC) champ Tim Cousins of John Cooper School in the Woodlands (4:12.4) each lead their respective regions.
But the depth is from the public school ranks – and boy is it deep. With 30 of the 48 boys’ invitees having broken 4:20, the race looks to be as competitive as ever. Leading all qualifiers down Congress Avenue will be Nike National Cross Country Champion Craig Lutz, a junior from Flower Mound Marcus high school who turned in a blazing 4:09.4 1600 at his district meet. Close on his heels will be University of Miami signee Connor Adams of neighboring Flower Mound High School who boasts Texas’ #2 time at 4:11.6. Not to be taken lightly is a bevy of other supreme talents who no doubt will challenge Lutz, Adams, Hodapp, and Cousins. Look no further than Cedar Park High superstar and University of Oregon signee Parker Stinson who is defending UIL 5A State Champion over 3200m at 8:54. Stinson, whose personal best is 4:12.8, has a sparkling 4:14.7 in his only true hard 1600m effort of 2010. In addition to the uber talented Stinson, other men looking to make a charge to the front include mercurial talent Richard Renteria of Cypress Creek High (4:12.9), Klein Oak’s and University of Texas signee Ryan Dohner at 4:13.3, opportunistic UIL 4A champ Ethan Doherty of Boerne (4:14.1), Cameron Foreman of Georgetown (4:14.1), and SPC runner up Roberto Diaz who recently ran 4:15.3.
Not to be overlooked are the “small school” runners who get to test their mettle against the big dogs. The indiscriminant nature of the qualifying for this unique event has thrust UIL 3A studs Harvinder Singh of Huffman-Hargrave (4:20.8), Lytle’s Brandon Lacy (4:21.0), Jake Roberts of Argyle (4:21.2), and Abilene Wylie’s Reid Strong (4:21..9) into the spotlight. Each looks to leave their mark in a race long dominated by their big school brethren.
With SPC sensation Chelsey Sveinsson suffering an untimely injury, the girls’ side looks to be as wide open as ever. Leading the charge is super sophomore Catie Daigre of tradition rich Humble Kingwood at 4:58.1. Close on her heels will be Dunn at 4:58.3, along with Metroplex super juniors Kim Kirby of Coppell (4:59.3), and Rachel Johnson of Plano High (4:59.6). Joining the sub-5:00 party in qualifying is University of Arizona signee Amanda Russell of Leander Vista Ridge, who at 4:59.9 also boasts the state’s #2 time for 3200m at 10:36. While convention may say the winner will emerge from this fantastic group of sub-5:00 milers, 41 other young women may disagree. The most disagreeable of the bunch may be University of Missouri signee Regan Tindle of Belton. With her recent UIL Region II 3200m runner up finish to Russell, and a 5:01.4 Congress Avenue qualifier, Tindle has displayed the late season form to walk away with the title of #1 Miler In Texas. Following close behind her seems to be one of the deepest talent pools in the nation in the north Houston suburbs. Begin with Zahri Jackson of Kingwood Park (5:02.), followed closely by Hillary Montgomery of Klein (5:02.3), Sophie Blake of Kingwood (5:02.4), and The Woodlands College Park trio of Mckenzie Neal (5:03.1), Katie Jensen (5:03.2), and Bree Schrader (5:04.1). Add to that mix St. Johns star Meredith Gamble (5:03.4) and experienced Vista Ridge warhorse Ashley Isham (5:06.3), and we have the makings of a good old Texas barnburner!
If speed is what you are looking for, you have it. This promises on paper to be one of the most exciting races ever. And it will not be settled on paper – Texas’ top miler will be crowned on the race course. Would you want it any other way? See you on the 22nd.