XC National Powerhouses Scouting Report: Davis (UT)

<p> MileSplit is going around the country talking to top coaches of the nation&#39;s best high school cross country programs for some inside info on their squad&#39;s success and what to look forward to this coming season from them.</p>


Davis boys were 3rd in 2011 NXN. Davis girls were 3rd in 2013 NXN.
All photos from Davis XC Official Team Twitter

The clearest indication of a truly great cross country program and coaching is how quickly they rebuild and reload after losing much of their key varsity runners from the year prior. If that is the greatest measuring stick then Davis High School boys and girls cross country team and coaches pass with flying colors. Last fall, the Davis girls had graduated 5 of their top 7 entering the season from 2012, yet ended the season on the podium at Nike Cross Nationals with a third place finish at Portland Meadows. They only return 2 of their previous year's top 7 again entering the 2014 cross country season. Think that is going to stop them from being one of the nation's best again? Think again.

Running times at altitude always makes them seem weaker on paper when in reality they are incredible formidable in comparison to their national caliber contemporaries in sea level states. Both Davis boys and girls are definitely capable of finishing inside the top 10 at Nike Cross Nationals at season's end, but first have to get through worthy in-state challengers in the American Fork boys and girls. The Nike Cross Southwest Regional will be no cruise in the park with annually nationally ranked teams from Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. Josh Ward for the boys and Audrey Argyle for the girls are the clear front runners for both squads. Ward posted a 9:14 3200 in the spring when he dropped down in elevation at the Arcadia Invite, while Argyle likewise posted at PR at Arcadia with a 10:49 performance.

Finishing 17th in the 2013 Nike Cross Nationals, the Davis boys are looking to run much closer to their 2011 NXN finish of 3rd place than last year's end of season showing with 5 runners back who got their feet wet at Portland Meadows last December. It will be tougher road for the Davis girls to match their national finish from 2013, but can't be counted out after having 4 girls run in the 5:10's or faster at altitude for 1600 meters and had another 1600 meter state qualifier transfer in Emmaline Huntzinger. Davis is on a very short list of programs who could have both a boys and girls team finish top 10 at NXN this season. Coach Corbin Talley (along with assistant coachs Brad Anderson & Paul Timothy) has put together a well oiled machine in his cross country program at Davis High School that continues producing no what new faces and names are inserted each fall to keep it running. 

Boys Top 7 Returnees Times : 3 Miles XC - 3200m - 1600m

Girls Top 7 Returnees Times : 3 Miles XC - 3200m - 1600m

Q&A with Coach Talley

Top 7 Boys Returnees from 2013 XC Season (3 Mile Times)

Davis High School (UT)
1) Josh Ward   15:13.80
2) Stockton Smith   15:34.90
3) Logan Mackay   15:40.50
4) Colton Rimann   15:44.70
5) Colter Blanchard   16:02.10
Average Time: 15:39.20 Total Time: 1:18:16.00 1-5 Split: 48.30
6) Brandon Peters   16:49.00


Top 7 Girls Returnees from 2013 XC Season (3 Mile Times)

Davis High School (UT)
1) Aubrey Argyle   17:24.80
2) Ally Geisler   18:00.80
3) Miah Weaver   18:22.20
4) Josey Hedquist   18:48.60
5) Grace Neuenschwander   19:10.00
Average Time: 18:21.28 Total Time: 1:31:46.40 1-5 Split: 1:45.20


Top 7 Boys Returning 3200m Times from 2014 Outdoor Season

Davis High School (UT)
1) Josh Ward   9:14.50
2) Stockton Smith   9:41.40
3) Logan Mackay   9:50.37
4) Colton Rimann   9:57.32
5) Daniel Tumblin   10:12.73
Average Time: 9:47.26 Total Time: 48:56.32 1-5 Split: 58.23
6) Bryce Ferguson   10:15.64
7) Mitch Perry   10:22.40


Top 7 Girls Returning 3200m Times from 2014 Outdoor Season

Davis High School (UT)
1) Aubrey Argyle   10:49.85
2) Miah Weaver   11:08.20
3) Sam Hedquist   11:28.58
4) Kaitlyn Datwyler   12:38.14
5) Sydney Zaugg   12:47.55
Average Time: 11:46.46 Total Time: 58:52.32 1-5 Split: 1:57.70
6) Alex Tanner   12:48.74
7) Nicole Wood   12:49.50


Top 7 Boys Returning 1600m Times from 2014 Outdoor Season

Davis High School (UT)
1) Logan Mackay   4:20.09
2) Josh Ward   4:21.77
3) Stockton Smith   4:24.10
4) Colter Blanchard   4:28.86
5) Colton Rimann   4:41.85
Average Time: 4:27.33 Total Time: 22:16.67 1-5 Split: 21.76
6) Mitch Perry   4:42.07
7) Dallin Larsen   4:42.50


Top 7 Girls Returning 1600m Times from 2014 Outdoor Season

Davis High School (UT)
1) Aubrey Argyle   5:09.50
2) Ally Geisler   5:10.19
3) Miah Weaver   5:11.25
4) Josey Hedquist   5:18.04
5) Sam Hedquist   5:24.63
Average Time: 5:14.72 Total Time: 26:13.61 1-5 Split: 15.13
6) Tatum Beard   5:25.26
7) Kaitlyn Datwyler   5:49.94

 

Q&A with Davis High School (UT) XC head coach Corbin Talley

How many years have you been coaching high school cross country (and at your current school)?

This will be my 12th season (all at Davis) - 12th season as the girls head coach, 8th season with the boys.
 
What do you attribute as the main reasons for the success of your program?

Consistency (year round work)
Focus on teamwork/team running
Highly motivated athletes - buying in to what we are doing
Setting goals and measuring progress with all runners (roster of about 55 boys/35 girls)
 
What would be the best way to describe your style and philosophy of coaching and working with high school runners?

My coaching staff and I really believe in helping our runners learn to give their best efforts in everything they do. We also believe it is important to have fun and make lasting friendships/relationships through the process. We talk a lot about patience and about learning from all experiences. Our main focus throughout the cross country season is improving as a unified TEAM. 
 
What are your core beliefs in your training plan and workouts for your cross country squads?

Solid base through the summer (40-50 miles per week for top girls, 50-70 miles per week for boys). Tempo Runs and longer repeats in July-September. More intensity through September and October. Working on base again through Dec-Feb - then more intensity again March-May.
 
What kind of mileage and summer training have your varsity level runners put in over the last 2-3 months?

Our summer program is 12 weeks - our top 10 girls shoot for 500 miles; our top boys shoot for 600-700 miles. Each person on the team sends me an email at the end of the week with their training log. We meet 2-3 times per week (a little more in August). 
 

How does you and your team view and approach the post-season national meet opportunity that is the Nike Cross Nationals?

We set up our season (training and mentality) with Nike Nationals as the end goal. We obviously place a high emphasis on our Region and State meets as well. Everything up to the end is to gain experience, to get stronger as individuals and as a team. We talk a lot about the ups and downs that are bound to happen throughout the entire season. 
 
How many runners do you return from your top 7 from a year ago?

Boys - 5
Girls - 1-2 (6 seniors ran at state; 5 seniors ran at NXN)
 
Who is your projected top 7 heading into the cross country season?

Boys - Josh Ward, Stokton Smith, Colton Rimann, Colter Blanchard, Logan MacKay, Camren Todd, Frasier Williamson
Girls - Aubrey Argyle, Miah Weaver, Ally Geisler, Josey Hedquist, Tatum Beard, Sam Hedquist, 2-3 girls are currently right at the #7 spot.
 
 
Who are your team captains or leaders and what stands out about them as examples for the rest of their teammates?

Josh Ward (senior) - Gutsy, hard working, very concerned about teammates, will give 100% all the time
Stokton Smith (senior) - Talented, determined, great sense of humor, ready for a breakthrough season
Josey Hedquist (senior) - hard working, feisty, experienced
Tatum Beard (senior) - New to xc this year, creative, very good at pushing herself and her teammates, excited
Aubrey Argyle (sophomore) - Tough, determined, friendly, keeps the girls laughing 
 
Who have you been most impressed or surprised with their improvement and/or fitness from their summer training?

Boys - Camren Todd, Colton Rimann, Solomon Twitchell
Girls - Tatum Beard, Ally Smith
 
Any impactful freshmen or transfers to join the team this season?

Emmaline Huntzinger (transfer from East High) - could make a very big difference for the girls
No other major surprises
 
What are the top invitational meets that your team will be attending this season?

Highland Invite (on the state course)
BYU Invite
Bob Firman Invite
Region 
State
NXN Southwest
NXN Finals (hopefully with both teams again)
 
 
What will be the biggest obstacle or challenge facing your team this season?

Boys - Staying hungry.
Girls - finding a new identity after losing 6 amazing seniors; young runners will really need to step up and progress.
 
What will be the biggest reason why your team is successful this season?

Hard Work and Team Work
Keeping our cool/staying positive through any setbacks
 
 
What is an annual or common pre-season workout or run for your team?

7-8 mile trail run on the hilly vita course. The boys go for sub 50:00; girls shoot for sub 62:00.
 
What is an annual or common mid-season workout for your team?

8 x 800m on the grass or dirt trail or 4-5 x 1 mile on the Lagoon Trails (paved) or Layton Park (grass)
 
What is an annual or common championship season or end-of-season workout for your team?

We like to get on the track for 12 x 400 or a step down workout (1600-1200-800-3 x 400). 
 
What are your top 3 goals for this year's squad?
 
1. Become a unified, strong team through our experiences
2. State Champions - both boys and girls (which will be very tough with the American Fork boys and girls in our division).
3. Qualify for NXN with the boys and the girls.