St. Charles clinches long awaited state berth

WARRENTON, Mo. – St. Charles found a bit of redemption at the district race.
 
An ill-timed injury prevented St. Charles from getting out of districts last year. The Pirates were not going to miss out on a trip to state again, as they claimed the Class 3 District 4 title with 43 points Saturday at Warrenton High School.
 
Senior twins Alfred and Arthur Chan ran side-by-side nearly all race and led St. Charles with a third- and fourth-place finish, respectively. It was especially sweet for Alfred, who sat on the sidelines last year after a stress fracture ended his season at the conference meet in 2013.
 
“It was really important because I’m a senior,” Alfred said. “That’s the goal … all-state. I did go watch and I know the course is pretty tough, so I hope I can get all-state.”
 
Arthur did make it to Jefferson City last year and earned all-state honors with a 23rd-place finish. This year was made even sweeter with his brother on his hip, and he had some basic advice to offer Alfred.
 
“I would say to just relax and treat it like a normal race,” Arthur said. “Otherwise if you’re too nervous or go out too fast, you’ll do worse than you want to do.”
This is only the second year the twins have been running here after moving from Hong Kong their sophomore year.
 
 
Coach Paul Wright, who is also the twins’ father, was beaming as a proud parent and a proud coach with his sons and the whole team qualifying.
“They really wanted it, and that’s been their goal since the first day of practice,” Wright said. “(Alfred’s) in tears because it means so much to him because of what happened last year. 
 
“They can both be top 25 at state. They’re both capable of running on that course low 16s. I don’t think we warmed up at all today, and to be honest I think I worked them a little too hard this week so I think they were a little leg dead. We’re going to make sure we don’t make that mistake next week.”
 
St. Charles got the extra boost it needed when Simon Schappe powered his way to fifth place (17:48), passing a couple Hannibal runners along the way. Hannibal earned the second qualifying spot with 67 points. Wright had penciled Schappe at 13th based on previous results, and those eight places were key in pushing the team through to next week.
 
“Unbelievable … 17:48 that’s his lifetime best,” Wright said. “He ran this course earlier in the season and didn’t break 19. That’s a phenomenal effort. He’s shown he can do it on the track, and today he was just incredibly gutsy. That was the difference maker for us today.”
 
 
Mexico junior Malik Holman cruised to the race victory in 16:46. He was in charge throughout and said he wanted to get a fast race in to get ready for the competition he’ll see on the hills of the Oak Hills Golf Course.
 
“My strategy was to get out fast and keep the lead,” Holman said. “I knew I could get this race. I wanted to get a little fast some I’m prepared for state next week. My strategy this year is after the first mile mark to start pushing it, and it was successful today.”
 
And with only a week left until the big race, Holman said there’s not much he can do to physically prepare. Now it’s all mental.
 
“Dream. Dream about it every day. Just keep dreaming and then live it on next Saturday.”