Carson High junior Sawyer Macy shows off the Carson logo on the front of his uniform before winning the Class 5A North boys regional title Friday afternoon at Rancho San Rafael Park in Reno.
Photo by Carter Eckl.
You could tell the feelings were starting to sink in down the final stretch for Carson High junior Sawyer Macy, who won the Class 5A North boys regional title Friday afternoon.
Coming down the final grassy hill, Macy outkicked his closest opponent and was able to take home the regional title with a 16:41 Friday afternoon.
“I’m really happy. It’s been a big goal this whole season. I’ve been running pretty fast and I’ve been keeping up with that top pack,” said Macy. “As soon as I turned that bend and I glanced back and he wasn’t there, it just felt great.”
Not only did Macy’s regional crown check off one of his main goals this season, it also helped the Senator boys team take third and qualify for state.
Finding the ideal strategy
Macy said his gameplan coming into Friday’s race wasn’t to lead from the start.
In fact, he wanted to stay with the top runners, conserve what energy he could and then finish stronger than everyone else down the stretch.
“I was going to stay behind first place and then wait for him to die,” said Macy. “This last hill, people underestimate a little bit.”
Having one competitive race under his belt gives Macy and the rest of the team plenty of confidence going into Saturday’s state meet.
The Senator junior knows his competition in the south will be tough, but the Las Vegas harriers aren’t as accustomed to the altitude and the hills in Reno.
“Having already run this course once we are going to be a lot more situated with it and a lot more comfortable,” said Macy.
Sean Thornton has been another excellent piece for Carson this season, joining Macy on the medals stand after taking sixth place in 17:30.
Junior Alex Miner (17:55) and sophomore Nate Freed (18:23) were 14th and 19th, respectively.
Freshman Quinn Kuchnicki was 32nd overall to round out Carson’s team scoring.
Ivan Romeo and Mark Walther were 43rd and 48th, respectively.
(Carson High’s Sean Thornton and Douglas’ Luke Davis run neck-and-neck against each other during the Class 5A North boys regional cross country meet. Carter Eckl / Nevada Appeal)
Falcons send a pair to state, Dayton wraps up season
Sierra Lutheran boys cross country just missed out on a state appearance, finishing four points behind third place Wells.
Senior Aidan Concannon led the way for the Falcons, taking fourth overall in the Class 2A regional meet.
His time of 18:29 will send him to Saturday’s state meet.
Meanwhile, freshman Noah Sever stopped the clock at 20:11 to qualify for his first state cross country meet appearance.
"Aidan is a strong runner and Noah has the ability to compete well, even though he is a freshman. Both boys have worked extremely hard during the season. They are excited to represent their school at the State Meet," said Sierra Lutheran head coach Robin Williams.
Junior Chandler Ricks just missed out on qualifying for state after taking 21st overall with a time of 20:34.
Dayton didn’t have anyone qualify for the boys state meet as the Dust Devils were led by Connor McChesney’s 44th place finish.
(Sierra Lutheran senior Aidan Concannon competes during the Class 2A north regional cross country meet Friday afternoon. Concannon was fourth overall, punching his ticket to the state meet Saturday. Carter Eckl / Nevada Appeal)