Since the beginning of June in the blazing heat of the merciless canyon, the Placer cross-country varsity boys’ team was training for their 2012 season. To say that they have worked hard to earn their success this year would be an understatement. These runners have covered more than 700 miles to accomplish their goals. Considering the work ethic and dedication of this team it is of no surprise that they have been namedSan JoaquinValleysection champions.
The boys had their sights set on a section title since the beginning of the season, and the addition of a new runner, senior Toby Qualls, only heightened their confidence. Qualls came to Placer fromMammothLakesand became the top boy on the cross country team, leading them through a great season.
“The morning of sections I woke up knowing that we were taking that section banner home. Randall (Fee) had prepared us well; it was already in our legs,” stated Qualls.
The boys knew going in to the race that Will C. Wood andEl Doradowould be hard to beat, especially since both teams placed ahead of them at the Bella Vista Invitational. With Qualls leading and all seven boys within twenty-six seconds of each other, Placer varsity boys claimed the section title.
“I was so stoked when I heard our name over the loud speaker, I knew that we had it in us all along,” said a confident and excited Qualls.
The next level for the boys was the state meet inFresno, a chilly race held atWoodwardParkduring the last weekend of November. The state meet is compiled of the top three girls and boys’ teams and individual qualifiers from every section.
Hoping to place in the top ten at state, the Hillmen trained for an extra week in the rain and the cold. Coach Fee’s powerful motivational speeches kept the boys running and hungry for victory.
“I knew that these boys would do well at state, they are a strong, hard-working team and they are always ready to run,” stated Fee.
Standing on the start line the morning of November 25th, green and gold looked confident and ready to race. In the end, the boys missed their goal by a mere 10 points, placing eleventh out of twenty-three teams. The boys aren’t bitter, however; to even place in the top fifteen is an impressive accomplishment at a meet as prestigious as state finals. Individually, Qualls placed seventeenth overall out of 123 runners and first for Placer with a time of 15:49.
“Randall (Fee) said that this is the best that Placer boys have ever done at state,” said senior Viktor Dorofeyev, one of Placer’s top runners.
This is the last season for four seniors on the team: Viktor Dorofeyev, Toby Qualls, and Gamaliel Gomez, and Garrett Jordan. It is a bittersweet goodbye for all seniors on the cross-country team, especially after such a successful season on the boy’s side. Underclassmen will definitely remember the 2012 varsity boy’s team; hoping to follow in their footsteps and maintain the reputation of Placer racing.