It is ironic right now to consider that this was the big question of hot debate all summer long and the two teams certainly lived up to the hype. Both teams went back forth all day long with big wins at various meets. Both teams left the state and represented at Great American and Manhattan. Both teams went to the state championship and placed at least 5 guys in the top 50. Both teams scored under 70 points at the state championship and tied one another for the title. Then both teams qualified for NXN, the first time PA has ever sent two teams. Both teams capped off their seasons with great performances at Nationals, two of the top performances we have seen despite very muddy conditions.
If anything the two teams exceeded their massive expectations that developed way back in July and August. The original O'Hara v. Henderson discussion started in the middle of August has since amassed over 1,000 page views, 86 total comments and it helped catapult the blog into a main topic of conversation in the summer for the first time in its history.
I think the rivalry has brought out the best in the runners along the way. I never imagined Tony Russell and Reiny Barchet would have exploded like they did. Certainly Kevin James and Ernie Pitone can not be overlooked as they were huge helps to Dan Savage this year. We saw a number of clutch performances from guys like Haugh at states, banged up but still gutting out a top 50 mark and Bobby Rimkis surprising a lot of people with a state medal to help his team get the gold. We saw huge breakout performances at Regionals from Belfatto and Knapp (and a school record on the track for Mr. Belfatto as well).
The knock on O'Hara coming into the year was always about depth. But they overcame that knock early and often. Their JV squad may have been the best in the state and Hayes and Belfatto stepped up into a pair of quality top 5 guys. Drew Pastore also stepped up and filled in for an injured Nick Smart very nicely. At Nationals the O'Hara depth was seen most clearly, their top 7 all ran exceptionally well.
The knock on Henderson coming into the year was always about youth and the fact that they struggled on the difficult state course the year before. To say they proved the doubters wrong seems to be a dramatic understatement. Tony Russell smashes the course record, 3 Warriors medaled at states and their entire top 7 placed in the top 52 runners on the difficult state course.
It has been an honor to report on such an epic dual throughout the season. Both teams have a lot to be proud of and unfortunately at this point I don't feel comfortable saying any time is really better than the other. These teams are the closest I have ever seen two squads from PA be.
Congratulations to everyone who has contributed to these teams this season, you will not soon be forgotten.
-A Fan
Can we get some indoor predictions etrain?
ReplyDeleteYes! Agreed!
DeleteI agree with the Indoor predictions. And could you explain why they have runners jumping hay bales at NXN? Doesn't that seem a little too hurdles-like for a XC race?
ReplyDeleteIt seems that Nike believes that XC is more than just dirt and hills. There are courses out there with fallen trees you have to jump, water you have to run through, and rocky/uneven areas focused on finding the true essence of running through Mother Nature. It's not ideal (for some) but the runners who are purely stronger are the ones that are found in the conditions like at NXN. Although the mud did seem pretty excessive (even though they didn't have control over that).
DeleteThey actually take a hose to the course to make it muddy for the purpose of (like you just said) finding the true essence of running through Mother Nature; that's why it looked like there was a pond out there. They have lots of control over the conditions.
DeleteIn previous years they have watered down the course but there was too much rain this year so they didn't water it down
DeleteGreat seasons by both teams. O'Hara clearly had the upper hand for the season. An intersting questions is, would you rather be a State Champion or 5th place finisher at NXN? Both have great value in this community. E-train should do a poll.
DeleteAlso do you think teams should get All American? i feel like it doesn't mean as much where as individual or footlocker is harder. Side note 21 individuals get it at Nike but only 16 at FL?
DeleteState champs or 5th at NXN? Personally I beleive every PA team would rather have the State Championship than anything other than 1st at NXN.
DeleteI'm sure NXN was a great time for the athletes who participated but it had a circus-like vibe to it, akin to a pro sport "all-star" game. Props to all who competed but States just feels more like the real deal.
DeleteThe top teams at NXN were nationally ranked all season. The race gave them the opportunity to compete against each other head-to-head.
DeleteIn XC terms, States may be better because the top 6 teams at nationals for XC aren't considered All-American like they are for track. For track terms, definitely 5th at nationals over State champion.
ReplyDelete-RTJ
I think 5th at nationals would be more like winning 45 different state championships
ReplyDelete-JR
I'd take state champ over 5th in Nationals every time.
ReplyDeleteState championship any day because that is what most teams have prepared for
ReplyDeleteI'm a big PA XC fan. I could name the last 10 State Champion teams and individuals. I couldn't name one national champion, not even this years and I just watched it.
ReplyDeleteCorrection, I can name Coatesville as national champ in 2006
DeleteO'Hara people will pick NXN-5th. Henderson fans will say States. NXN 5th is a greater accomplishment, but most on this site would rather be a State Champion. The O'Hara coaches were right and peaked at NXN, but it may have cost a great team a State Championship.
DeleteWas Haugh at NXR or NXN I could not find anything on him for those races, considering he locked in the state meet for Henderson, found it puzzling that he did not race.
ReplyDeleteHaugh hurt his hand pretty bad. He had it wrapped up with a serious looking cast.
DeleteConsidering how few state champs even make it to nationals, I'd rather get 5th at NXN
ReplyDeleteYou should start charging these people for advertising on this blog.
ReplyDeletewhat's etrain's record for predicting WCH vs. Ohara? Has he got it wrong every time?
ReplyDeleteNo he said Ohara was gunna win briarwood but that was it
DeleteOh etrain, you goose
DeleteIt's funny how in the beginning of the year everyone was comparing O'Hara's front runners vs Henderson's pack but in actuality Henderson came out with the better front runners and O'Hara had a better pack.
ReplyDeleteDepends on the race.
DeleteThere wasn't a single race where O'Hara had their first individual place infront of Henderson's
DeleteLet it go already!
Delete