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Lynch competes in Class A cross country state meet
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By ARIY-EL BOYNTON, Sports Editor
| 10/23/2009 |
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Chester Area senior Ian Lynch remembers the last few years at the South Dakota state cross country meet. He competed in the state meet in Class B, it was in Huron and he had junior teammate Branden Anderson running in the same meet.
On Saturday at the state cross country meet in Rapid City, Lynch will be competing in Class A and won't have any teammates with him on the starting line at the Elks Golf Course.
In a way, Lynch feels like he's running for the whole season. He knows what it's like to have just two teammates for a full cross country season, as is the case this year.
"Being on a small team is a little odd. You can't hide with only two other guys. You have to be self-motivated," he said.
Anderson, also a veteran of state cross country meets, got sick two days before the Region 2A meet held on Oct. 15 in Dell Rapids so he couldn't qualify for state.
Individually, Lynch won the region meet in a time of 17:43.49, placing first by more than 10 seconds. Fellow Flyer Derrick Dossett placed 45th in the region meet with a time of 21:07.95.
Lynch will try to improve his 10th-place finish last year. He has competed in four state meets and is ready to run for the town of Chester.
"It would have been nice to have Branden ran, since it was in Rapid and we ran there together before. But he wants me to do my best, and I'm competing hard. Last year, my training the week of state wasn't that hard, so this week it's really important to be focused and train hard. I'm excited for the chance to compete," said Lynch.
This fall, the South Dakota High School Athletic Association bumped Chester from the smaller Class B to the more competitive Class A.
"Being in Class A makes me very nervous for the race. It's extremely nerve-racking to think of the race and not know who is in it or who the guys are to beat," said Lynch. "But I can't think about classes during the race. Once I start the race, I'll just focus on the guys around me."
As a senior, the future South Dakota State Jackrabbit or Minnesota Gopher has been pleased with his year.
"This is probably my best year timewise, being consistent and being focused come race time. I've won a few races and it's gone well," said Lynch.
Lynch has won six of his nine races this year, he isn't predicting taking the Class A state title. His goal is to earn a top 10 placing, and he admits that he might be able to crack the top five.
"Yeah, it's possible, if I get in the right pack and run a smart race. That would be cool," said Lynch. "I've always wanted to break 17 (minutes), and what better place to do that than state?"
Lynch will travel with Chester athletic director Mike Reinhiller. Lynch missed school on Friday (today) to stay in a hotel before Saturday's meet.
"Those extra things make it special. It's clear that we're not taking a bus in the morning to Huron; we're going all the way cross the state. I'll feel some pressure being the only Chester runner, but I can't let that affect me out there," said Lynch.
Lynch said the result will come down to who has the most energy at the end of the race.
"I always have a kick in the end. With 150-200 yards to go, I always seem to find something extra. I hope I can keep where I'm at or pass a few guys at the end," he said.
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