Mustang coach expecting close race for 6A crown
MUSTANG — Mustang cross country coach Mike McGarry hasn’t seen the finish line in years.
In 27 years as coach for the Broncos, McGarry said he has only seen a runner of his finish a race once that he can remember.
He prefers to post up near the final stretch, choosing a spot near the last 400 meters.
“That last bit is crucial,” McGarry said. “That’s where you can see how you are shaping up heading to the end.”
So when then freshman Gabe Simonsen moved past his coach last year, McGarry figured he was heading for a top 15 finish as he battled it out with some older, more mature runners.
But it wasn't until after the race McGarry found out where Simonsen actually placed.
Simonsen finished sixth overall, just seconds out of a top 5 finish and one of the few freshmen ever to play top 10 at the state meet.
"I didn’t think he would be able to out-kick some of those older guys," McGarry said. "But he was able to stick right there with them."
As coaches across the state prepare for the Class 5A and 6A state meet on Saturday at Edmond Santa Fe High School, most find themselves in an interesting position as a spectator and cheerleader.
The work to get to this point in the season is born in the heat of midsummer runs and preserved in cold morning workouts.
“The only way to get better is to run,” McGarry said. “You just have to put in the miles and run over and over and over again. By the time we get to the state meet, it’s muscle memory.”
The Mustang boys are coming off an impressive showing at the Class 6A west regional. Led by Simonsen, who posted a .3 second victory over Deer Creek’s Steven Clark to take first place, Mustang was able to take home the regional championship by putting five runners in the top 29.
McGarry said Simonsen, while young, is already such a heady runner for his team.
“Most people watch a race and think a runner starts fast and runs the fastest,” McGarry said. “But they miss the strategy in the middle of the race. Gabe is great at making many small decisions or knowing how to pace himself that really helps in the end.”
Mustang figures to be in a tight race for the 6A boys crown on Saturday, battling it out with Deer Creek. The Antlers had five runners that all finished in the top 25 at regionals, but lost to Mustang by 10 points.
On the east side, Owasso ran away with its regional and should be in contention for the state championship. The Rams placed their top five runners in the top 15, led by seniors Trevor Pendergraft and Jacob Rist.
“I really think this thing is going to come down to the very end,” McGarry said. “The winner will probably be by just a point or two.
“It’s going to be exciting.”