Mugeche Runs SIX SECONDS Off the State Record...in September...
After an impressive run at Rim Rock - a course that is often called comparable to the state cross country course - Blue Springs senior and weekly headline-grabber Victor Mugeche stole the show and set the state on fire once again with a mind-boggling 15:28.9...on SEPTEMBER 30TH! Last year, arguably the greatest high school runner in state history Austin Hindman just barely snagged the state course record from Noah Kauppila when he crossed in 15:22, but it appears that Mugeche may be on a crash course to destroying that record. With only Oaklee Hauschild, his teammate, anywhere close to him in this race, it appears that Mugeche has learned how to run 15:30 or better in any condition on any course with any kind of push (or, in this case, lack thereof). For those who are unable to grasp the full extent of this time, just know that any smart coach with the best runner in the state has yet to start the most significant part of the taper and Frank Gallick is a smart coach.
In other news, Blue Springs dominated the team race in the Class 3-4 race which just shows that they are rounding into form as we enter October. Still a month out from the state meet, they were able to capitalize (no pun intended) on a 1-2 finish by placing 7-9-20 behind their fearsome twosome, with Morgan Cauveren and Gabe McClain showing their prowess even in the shadows of their two giant teammates. Lee's Summit North was led by Matt Reis and Drew Reis and took 2nd, 47 points behind their KCMO-area counterpart.
Lamar packed a 1-2 punch in the Class 1-2 race as Mark Venable got his #1 spot on the team back, running 16:24 and beating teammate Kolin Overstreet by 19 seconds. Malik Stewart of Maplewood-Richmond Heights provided an impressive encore to his small schools win at Hancock, running over 2:00 better than he did last year and taking 3rd in 17:00. Only a sophomore, he appears to be rounding into good form and could be a name to watch moving forward. Class 1 standout Evan Smith was 17:07 for 4th out of Chadwick. An unexpected Class 2 team battle occurred in this one as Fatima boys gave Lamar a run for their money here. Lamar is the clear favorite in Class 2 right now, but Fatima finished only 14 points behind them, adding a storyline to the Class 2 boys race in a month.