RunMichigan.com! - '98 LP H.S. State Meet Race Stories

NOVI EDGES ROCKFORD FOR TEAM TITLE

HARTMANN REPEATS AS INDIVIDUAL CHAMP

Brooklyn, MI

By Dave McCauley & Scott Collins - RunMichigan.com!

Most of the 1998 season, the Novi boy's team was considered by many to not have a chance to claim the top prize at the '98 State Meet. Rockford, powered by the 1997 individual champion Jason Hartmann was felt by many to be unbeatable. Novi proved them wrong!

Lead by senior Kevin Avenius, who placed 5th overall with a time of 15:28.6, Novi edged out the heavily favored Rockford squad 82 points to 87. Right behind Avenius in 7th place overall, was another Novi senior, Dan Christopherson in a time of 15:31. Rounding out Novi's top 5 were Tim Moore in 20th place, Chris Toloff in 21st, and Mike Burns in 30th.

According to Novi's winning coach, team depth was the key to the victory. "Our race plan was to use our team depth to overcome their two front runners. The plan worked to perfection." Team depth was the key as Novi's 4th and 5th runners proved the difference.

In individual competition, for the second year in a row, it was Jason Hartmann of Rockford taking the title. Hartmann dominated once again, taming MIS with a new course record of 14:51.8. Hartmann cruised through the two mile in 9:18 and held off some fierce challenges early on to pull away comfortably for an amazing 20 second victory.

The hot battles on the day were for the next three spots. Hartmann's team-mate Datha Ritzenhein took runner-up honors with a time of 15:11. A great race developed for 3rd place with Lake Orion's Jordan Desilets barely holding off Brother Rice's Ben Evans. Both seniors, Desilets finished with a time of 15:16.2 to 15:16.8 for Evans. Adam Cross, of Rochester Adams, capped off a great season with a 5th place finish in 15:22.2.

Individual "A" Champ
Jason Hartmann

VIDEO CLIP
Click on link below.

Jason Hartmann talks to RMDC's Scott Collins (224k)