Dani Bates Invitational

October is upon us and the cross country season is in full swing.  This week we attended the Dani Bates Invitational in Twin Falls, Idaho.  The race is held on the Canyon Springs Golf Course which provides a picturesque setting for the race.  With district and state races just a few weeks away, this is a good test to see where everyone is at.  Highland's district rival Idaho Falls was at the race, which added to the excitement.  This race could be a preview of the possible outcome at district in a few weeks.  The Idaho Falls girls team has beat us the last two times we have met.

Raegan really likes this course.  I think its because this race is held in early October and the cooler temperatures make for ideal race conditions.  Gone are the hot late summer afternoon races!

Raegan ran a personal best time of 20:56 breaking that illusive 21 minute mark!  She finished 17th overall (110 runners).  The girls finished 2nd (56pts) behind Soda Springs (49pts), but they soundly beat their rival Idaho Falls (83pts).  I think the Soda Spring girls team is one of the top teams in the state which is impressive given the size of their school (2A).  Our boys team took 3rd and where beat by Idaho Falls which wont help their current state ranking (4th).  Our girls are still considered a "bubble team" to place at state (5A).

Canyon Springs Golf Course from the bottom of the Snake River Canyon.  The Perrine Bridge stands in the background.  The bridge is a popular base jumping site.  It is/was also a longstanding tradition for our family to cross the bridge on foot anytime we went to Twin Falls.  The heavy traffic and "flexibility" of the bridge made for an exciting walk if you don't like heights!

This is the view as the kids make the turn and head back to the finish.  Its an uphill push and then a 2k sprint for home....

Our girls warming up before the race.

They're off........   The race starts and finishes on the #16 Fairway

I think the first 200m of the race is a pretty exciting time.  Just picture 100+ kids sprinting to get to that first bottleneck in the course.

Our girls had the inside starting gate which was an advantage in this race.

Coach Gulden said if this was a 400m race, our girls would have won.  I think he was nervous they went out too fast!

800m into the race.  Things are starting to spread out and our girls are in a good position.  Raegan is at the top of the slope.

800m in!

About 1500m to go.  Raegan looking strong.  Note the two Idaho Falls girls in orange.  Finishing ahead is key!

1500m left!

Coach Gulden giving a little "encouragement" to Raegan!

I'm sure Raegan heard everything he said.....

Coach Parrish helping Raegan along...

400m to go.  Note Raegan's teammates in red on the right and Blake on the left shouting out support.

Almost home......  Marilyn is standing by on the right.

Nice Job Girls........   Raegan made the medal stand!

Raegan, Presli and Allie hanging out after the race.

Highland Cross 2012