Hillcrest cross country ends season on top of region

Hillcrest cross country has experienced the ups and downs that come with any season. The girls team had a great year, taking third place in Region 7 and going to state for the first time in more 10 years. The top five times were all close, which helped the team do well in region and set it up for the state tournament, Oct. 19 at Sugar House Park.

“The girls are having a great year and we’re very proud of them,” said coach John Olsen. “The top five girls have been very consistent all year and it has made all the difference in giving us a good spot in region.”

Jordan Kennedy, Lisa Schneider, Abigail Barrett, Lizzy Huston, and Taylor Reich are the top five girls on Hillcrest’s team. Top Hillcrest finisher was junior Kennedy, in 39^th place at 20:16.8. Schneider was 61^st at 20:50.3, Barrett finished 87^th at 21:29.8; Reich in 91^st at 21:47.4; and junior Adrianna Castillo in 101^st at 22:08.1.

Kennedy is the number one runner on the girl’s side. Her consistency this season helped not only with scores, but also helped to motivate her teammates and keep them on track. Olsen said Kennedy has been making improvements the entire season and came out even stronger at the end, shaving off several seconds to help Hillcrest claim a top spot in region.

Youth and inexperience have been the challenge for the boys team this season, although the team did take fourth place in region and qualified for the fifth year in a row for state. Only a few points separated the top four finishers in Region 7.

Hillcrest senior Kevin Lynch finished his prep career with a 15^th place finish at the state 4A cross country championships with a time of 16:19.9. Timpanogos’ Jacob Heslington won the race at 15:39.5. Among the other top five Huskies in the boys race were senior Brian Landeen, 37^th place in a time of 16:55.0; sophomore Dylan Smith, 69^th at 17:28.9; senior Ryan Furlong, 77^th at 17:36.1; and senior Chase Oesch, 93^rd at 17:50.5.

“Because most of the varsity boys team is so young, they don’t have the experience to turn in consistent times. Some days they run well, other days the results aren’t what we were hoping for,” Olsen said. “This type of season will give them some great experience for next year.”

The state competition in 4A was tough against this year. The boys team ended up 11th place and the girls finished at 13th place. Kennedy turned in the best time for the girls, finishing up in 38th place while Lynch took 13th place.

“Hillcrest girls haven’t made an appearance at state for a long time, could be closer to 20 years,” he said. “We’re proud of what both teams accomplished.”