Upper School Cross Country

2011 Varsity Cross Country Team

The members of the Varsity Cross Country Team are, left to right, front row, Michael Butler, Christophe Nabhan, Samantha Sullivan, Bailey Howell, Anna Garrett, Jessica Garland, Hailey Hall, and Allie Graham and Coach Chris Winter; back row, Jourdan Redden, Patrick Richardson, Jacob Lifsey, Sam Darnall, Whitson Smith, Govind Bindra, Sam Rickman, Angad Bindra, Jacob Hamilton, and Chris Burton.

Two Athetes Compete at Footlocker South Region Cross Country Championships in Charlotte, North Carolina

Patrick Richardson, Coach Winter, and Sam Darnell.

On Saturday, November 26, 2011 USJ freshman Sam Darnall and USJ sophmore Patrick Richardson competed in the seeded boys division at the Footlocker South Region Cross Country Championships qualifying race. The Footlocker Cross Country Championships serves as the National Cross Country Championship race for the entire country. First known as the Kinney Cross Country Championships, the Footlocker race has served as the proving grounds for future NCAA DI national champions, World Champions, and Olympic Champions. 
 
The south region championships is one of four region championships in which runners from across the United States and Puerto Rico compete to qualify for the national champtionship race held in San Diego, California.  For the past four years USJ has been represented at the Footlocker South Region race in Charlotte, N.C.  The top ten finishers in the seeded races qualify for the national championships.
 
Racing against mostly juniors and seniors from ten different states, Sam and Patrick capped off their prospective seasons with much to build on for next year. When asked about the race, and Patrick and Sam's efforts, USJ Head Coach Chris Winter responded, "This race is the single most competitive race (outside of nationals) that any USJ runner could enter. Today, Sam and Partick gained perspective and maturity that they can use next season as our boys and girls teams compete.  In a race like this, that is one with so many upper classmen, Sam and Patrick's main objective was to learn how to stay calm and think while racing in the midst of a huge, fast field. They obviously wanted to run fast, but more importantly, they gained maturity as runners that will translate into a valuable tool next year. The winning time was 14:37, and there are probably 10 high school kids in the whole nation who can run that fast."

The entire USJ cross country team enters the off season with next season in mind. "Some of our kids play basketball so that helps them stay fit and competitive, but the majority of the team will begin preparing for track season that starts in February, 2012," says Coach Chris. "With the enthusiasm and unity that our team developed last season, I can not wait for next year."
 
The complete results of the Footlocker South Region Championship race can be found at www.footlockercc.com under the south region tab. 

Four USJ athletes make All-State Cross Country Team

On November 5, 2011, the Bruin and Lady Bruin cross country teams competed at Percy Warner Park in Nashville at the DII-A State Cross Country Championships.
Out of a field of eight teams the Lady Bruins finished 5th while the Bruins finished 6th.

Samantha Sullivan, Jessica Garland, Ali Graham, Haley Hall, Anna Garrett, Jessica Crosnoe, and Bailey Howell represented the girls team.
The boys team was represented by Patrick Richardson, Sam Darnall, Jacob Hamilton, Jacob Lifsey, Govind Bindra, Jordan Redden, and Chris Burton.

The Lady Bruins were led by freshman Samantha Sullivan.  Sullivan, competing in her first season of cross country and in her first state cross country championship race, finished in 6th place overall in a time of 20:48.  This was a 2:12 second improvement upon the time she previously ran this season on the same course at the Tennessee Classic. Sullivan was also the highest finishing athlete from the city of Jackson in either boys or girls competition in any division at the state meet. Her 6th place performance earned her a spot on the DII-A All State girls cross country team.

Jessica Garland was also named to the DII-A girls state cross country team. In only her second season of competition, Garland improved on her time from last year's state meet by a full 60 seconds and by 1:25 from the Tennessee Classic she competed in earlier this season by running a 21:40 for the hilly and challenging 5k course. 

The Bruins were led by underclassmen Patrick Richardson and Sam Darnall. Richardson, competing in his second season of cross country battled back from early season set backs due to sickness to finish off his sophomore year with a 7th place, 17:58 All-State effort. This time is a 12-second improvement on his time at this meet last year and a 1:20 improvement on his time at the Tennessee Classic meet raced six weeks ago.  This is Patrick's second season in a row to be named to the All-State cross country team.

Freshman runner Sam Darnall capped off an impressive first season for the Bruins by finishing the state meet in 9th place by running 18:03. Sam's effort at the state meet was a 43 second improvement upon his time run on the same course earlier this season at the Tennessee Classic.

"Today was one of the most successful and exciting days for USJ at the state cross country meet," said varsity cross country coach Chris Winter. "Although we did not reach our team goals of finishing in the top 4, we were able to place 4 underclassmen on the All State team. Not only is this a testament to the hard work of those individuals, but also to everyone else on our team. All the runners that made the All-State team were encouraged and supported and spurred on by their team mates all season long. The future for USJ cross country looks strong." I would like to personally thank both teams for one of the most fun and competitive season's of coaching that I have ever had in my seven years at USJ.  And I would like to say thanks to graduating seniors Jacob Hamilton, Angad Bindra, Habeeb Suara, and Jessica Crosnoe.  We wish you the best and thank you for your hard work and commitment to the USJ cross country program."

The teams will conclude their season with their annual Awards Dinner at the home of Charlie and Cathy Garrett..

Region Meet finishes send USJ teams to state

On October 27, the Bruins and Lady Bruins cross country teams competed in the DII-A West Region Cross Country Meet at USJ. Needing to finish in the top 4 as a team to qualify for the state meet in Nashville on November 5, the Bruins and Lady Bruins finished 4th and 3rd respectively and earned their spots in the state championship cross country meet.

The Lady Bruins finished 3rd out of 7 schools. The Lady Bruins scored 67 points and were edged out of second by St. Georges with 62 and out of first by Harding Academy, which scored 61 points.  Leading the way for the Lady Bruins was freshman Samantha Sullivan, who finished second overall in her first year of competing in cross country. Jessica Garland was 6th, Ali Graham 19th, Haley Hall 20th, and Anna Garrett 24th. Jessica Crosnoe and Bailey Howell also competed for USJ. All of these girls will represent USJ at the state meet.

"Our team got the job done today," says head coach Chris Winter. "I could not be prouder of all the girls. Every single one of them ran one of their fastest, if not fastest time ever. With over half of the team competing in their first ever season of cross country and no seniors in our top 5. the future looks great."

The Bruins placed three runners in the top 10. Sam Darnall, 5th, Patrick Richardson, 6th, and Jacob Hamilton, 10th, led the way for the team. Jacob Lifsey, 29th, and Govind Bindra, 30th, finished as the teams 4th and 5th runners and helped the boys edge out St. Georges by 3 points for the 4th and final spot to state. Jordan Redden and Chris Burton also ran and will compete in the state meet as well.

"Like the girls, most of the boys ran their fastest times of the year," Coach Winter says. "We have been struggling with sickness these past two weeks so today was a bit nerve racking, but our boys ran with heart and determination and hung close as a pack. With only one senior in the top five, it looks like we will be competitive for next season as well. I am very proud of them and excited for the team."

Photo Gallery - 2011

 

Dyer County Invitational - 2011

The USJ Bruins are the 2011 Dyer County Cross Country Invitational Champions. Our top five scoring runners finished in the top 15 overall in the meet. Sam Darnall (4th), Govind Bindra (7th), Patrick Richardson (11th), Jacob Hamilton (12th), and Jacob Lifsey (15th). Jacob Lifsey received the Anchor Award because he was the highest finishing fifth place runner from any school. Jordan Redden, Chris Burton, Christophe Nabhan, William Butler, Sam Rickman, Whitson Smith, Singh Bindra, and Habeeb Suara also competed for the Bruins. While facing a strong team from Crockett County that beat us by two points at TCA two weeks ago, the Bruins executed their race strategy with precision and accuracy. Allowing several Crockett County runners to run a fast first mile, the Bruins were able to chase them down within the last mile of the race and win their first Invitational of the season.

The Lady Bruins are the 2011 Dyer County Cross Country Invitational Runners Up. Our top five scoring runners finished in the top 15 overall in the meet. Samantha Sullivan (4th), Jessica Garland (7th), Ali Graham (10th), Haley hall (14th), Anna Garrett (15th). This is the first time this season that all five runners from the Lady Bruins have all finished in the top 15 of a meet. Jessica Crosnoe and Bailey Howell also ran for the Lady Bruins. Four out of the seven runners for the Lady Bruins (Anna Garrett, Haley Hall, Samantha Sullivan, and Jessica Crosnoe) are competing in their first season of cross country and are providing leadership and enthusiasm to a team that lost three valuable seniors last season. Along with the returning athletes from last season, Jessica Garland, Ali Graham, and Bailey Howell, the Lady Bruins are poised to finish the season off strong.

Union University Invitational - 2011

On October 1, two USJ Bruin cross country runners competed in the Union University Cross Country Invitationa.l Freshman Sam Darnall ran the 5k course in 17:38, fast enough to finish the race 6th overall.  This was Sam's second fastest time of the season. The Lady Bruins were represented by freshman Samantha Sullivan, who in only her fifth 5k cross country race, ran a personal best of 21:06 to place 5th overall.

TCA Cross Country Invite 2011

On September 27, both the men and women's cross country teams competed in the TCA Cross Country Invite.

Out of 19 mens teams, USJ placed 2nd overall. Every runner on the mens team ran their fastest times of the year. Finishing in the top 10 overall were senior Jacob Hamilton, 10th with a time of 18:05; sophomore Patrick Richardson, 9th with a time of 18:04; and leading the Bruins was freshman Sam Darnall, 5th with a time of 17:20. Govind Bindra, Jordan Redden, who received the Anchor Award for being the highest fifth place finisher for his team in the meet from any team, Jacob Lifsey, and Chris Burton rounded out the top 7 runners for USJ in the meet.

The Lady Bruins, who are running with three brand new runners this year, finished 2nd overall out of 9 competing teams. They were led by sophomore Jessica Garland, 7th with a time of 21:57; and freshman Samantha Sullivan, 8th with a time of 21:57. The Lady Bruins also ran their fastest times of the season.  Ali Graham, Haley Hall, Jessica Garrett, and Bailey Howell ran very strong races and helped the Lady Bruins to their highest finish in a meet as a team since the Lady Bruins won the DII-A West Regional Title last year.

Both teams placed 13th in Tennessee Classic 2011

The Upper School Cross Country teams traveled to Nashville on Saturday, September 17 for the TN Classic. Both teams did a great job. The Lady Bruins placed 13th out of 20 teams. The Men's team placed 13th out of 29 teams. The Bruins were paced by ninth grader Sam Darnall, who finished the challenging 5k course at Percy Warner Park in 18:46, while the Lady Bruins were paced by ninth grader Sammantha Sullivan and tenth grader Jessica Garland, who both fininshed in 23:05.

Off to a good start in 2011

The Upper School Cross Country teams have their season under way. On Saturday, September 3, both teams traveled to Memphis for the Brooks Twlight Classic. On Thursday, September 8, the teams hosted the USJ Invitational. The Men's team placed 4th out of 15 teams. Jacob Hamilton came in 10th. The Lady Bruins placed 6th out of 9 teams.
Great start Bruins!