Preseason trip helps CBHS runners gain an edge
The high school cross country season has only just begun. But the Christian Brothers team has already logged plenty of mileage.
Coach Nick Dwyer’s Brothers spent part of their offseason training in altitude at the University of Colorado, helping to prepare for what they hope will be a big year. It marks the second straight big summer trip for CBHS, which trained at the mecca of distance running — Eugene, Ore. — in 2012.
“We had 15 people in a 15-passenger van, so we were about as close as you could get,” said Dwyer. “The thing you see is they turn off their cell phones, put down their electronic devices ... and start acting like boys again.
“They’re jumping in lakes and playing in creeks ... It’s not just about run-
ON PREPS
ning. It’s about becoming friends and team bonding. They come back and their parents don’t recognize them. They’re like ‘what did you do to my kid.’
“They’re building memories for a lifetime and going places they’ve maybe never been before or may never have a chance to go back to again. And I think if you have high expectations (as a coach) the team will rise to the occasion.”
CBHS made its first trip to Colorado in 2007, thanks to a connection with former Purple Wave runner Anthony Chiulli, who won the Best of the Preps cross-country runner of the year award in 2001 and 2002 before go- ing on to compete for the Buffaloes.
In addition to the teambonding, there are also the benefits of training in altitude. Boulder, home of the University of Colorado, sits at an elevation of 5,430 feet, a height the Brothers will never come close to during the course of a normal high school season.
“It helps physiologically of course, but I think it helps more psychologically,” Dwyer said. “At first they were struggling but after a couple of days they were running well. And they’re still running well. Mentally, they’re just in a different place.”
Despite losing several key runners, led by last year’s BOP winner Aaron May, Dwyer said he likes the look and the attitude of this year’s team, which began the season with Saturday’s jamboree.
“I think the potential of our team is unrealized,” he said. “Our last two incom- ing classes have been very deep. We’ve got some guys who, in my eyes, will surprise everyone.”
BREAKING RECORDS
The Memphis Mustangs 3,200-meter relay team smashed the national record for the 15-16 age group at the recent Junior Olympics in Ypsilanti, Mich.
The team — consisting or Carlton Orange, C.J. Turner, Terrell Jackson and Naaman Norment — won the event in a time of 7:57.73, easily surpassing the old mark of 8.13.90, which was set in 2012.
Orange, Turner and Jackson all attend MUS and were part of the Owls’ 3,200-meter relay team that set a state record this past season. Norment attends Houston.
Jackson also won the open 800 at the meet, finishing in a time of 1:54.01. It’s his third straight year to win the event after taking the title as a 13 and 14year old. Orange won the open 1,500, finishing in a time of 4.04.32.
FCA TOURNEY
One of the top high school golf tournaments in the area takes place next week at Windyke. And this year it’s bigger and better than ever.
The third annual Fellowship of Christian Athletes tournament begins at 1:30 p.m. Monday. Golfers with a lower handicap will play on Windyke’s championship West Course while golfers with a higher handicap will play the par3 course, beginning at 1:45 p.m.
There will be 128 boys and girls golfers competing. The schools that will be represented are Arlington, Bartlett, Bolton, Briarcrest, Brighton, CBHS, Collierville, ECS, FACS, Germantown, Harding, Lausanne, Millington, MUS, St. Agnes, St. Benedict, St. George’s, TiptonRosemark and White Station.