States- Dan Davis

Q: So coming up into the state meet did you still believe you had a chance to win states?
A: In 2009 when Brad Miles won the individual state title for North Penn, Coach Werner told Chris Trimble and I that we have to “want” it and to work to rebuild the team from scratch because we had lost most of our seniors that year. This year, we had rebuilt a solid, full returning varsity from 2010 and had confidence that we could have some impact on the state. As the rankings fluctuated throughout the season we saw how competitive and challenging Cardinal O’Hara, Great Valley, and Henderson were, along with North Allegheny. North Penn was almost never talked about this whole season, and were almost consistently holding fifth place, and dropped to seventh place heading into the state meet. Coach Werner and assistant coach Hertz were having doubts about winning this state meet because of our position and other teams’ rankings and previous performances at bigger meets. Coach Werner told my dad that he hopes to at least pull away with a fourth place win, but turns out we lived up to his dream of North Penn winning states like we had wanted to for the past few years. We had no idea that we even came close to winning the state title, especially since we were racing a younger team against a team that has been ranked number one practically all season (Cardinal O’Hara).

Q: What was it like for you when you found out that you won?
A: A few guys from our JV team drove up to watch the race. Personally I did not place as well as I would’ve liked to, so I was upset because since 2009 I have dreamed of getting my hands on a state medal, that’s all I really wanted. Then as I am walking back to the starting line, the JV guys come running up to me excitedly chanting “NORTH PENN WON STATES!!!” I called them idiots because I did not believe them at first. Then when they showed me the results my heart lifted and my stress just melted away as I thought that North Penn had won states for the third time in five years and I am blessed to be a contribution to that title. I absolutely could not believe it, and as I looked at the scoring sheet, I saw how close of a race it truly was. Coach Werner always said “Every Second Counts” and it truly did, as we had to refer to our sixth man (Hunter Hill [Jr]) to determine the state title. It was the best day of my life thus far.

Q: How did the race unfold for you and your team? Any positives or negatives?
A: The funny thing about that race was it was practically the first time that we actually pulled each other together and worked together as the tight in friendship team that we are. The fact that we worked together throughout this race and fought until that last step on that black matt, made everything that we had gone through, worth every single second. I find no negatives in this race or even in this season, mainly because everyone matured and we grew more like a true team than we ever did last year. Whenever one of us had a bad day, we just walk it off and come fighting the next day. It’s all about the friendship and the chemistry with each other and the fun times that you have because what is cross country without a little bit of goofing around? This season was by far the most built, and respected season I have ever witnessed in my running career.

Q: Any influences or people you would like to thank?
A: Yes, I absolutely have to give a few shout outs on this occasion. The main shout out I want to present is to Coach Mike Werner and assistant Coach Mike Hertz for working hard to accomplish this long term goal. We could not have done this job without them. I also want to thank the North Penn Athletics staff for the work they do for us on a daily basis to keep the programs in shape. I want to also thank all of the alumni for supporting NPXC and influencing us to be the best we possibly can be, and not to worry about what others think. Thank you to all of the parents and JV who supported us throughout and at the end of the season. Well done North Penn, Well done. I am truly proud to be a part of such an awesome school and I couldn’t ask for a better team to run with. Truly was the time of my life.