Darts run to top of national rankings
By Chris J. Miller, Standard-Examiner staff
Mon, 10/07/2013 - 11:47pm
KAYSVILLE -- The Davis High School cross country juggernaut is in the midst of another successful season, with both the boys and girls squads doing well in the statewide and regional events.
The Davis girls had previously been ranked as high as No. 6 in the nation, whild the Darts boys have had a No. 3 ranking in years past, but this is uncharted territory for coach Corbin Talley and the 35 girls on the cross country roster.
"I think we have been amazed at how this team has responded to each other," Talley said. "This group has shown a willingness to go through a lot of pain, to work for each other. We've never had a team do it so well."
New York's Fayetteville-Manlius has been the top team for the past seven season, winning all seven Nike Nationals. But the New York high school has been defeated several times this year, opening the door for other teams.
And the Darts ran through it.
With an amazing team victory at last month's Bob Firman Invitational in Boise, Idaho -- a race in which Davis set the combined team course record -- the Darts earned the top spot in the Oct. 5-6 rankings.
"From our perspective, that race is what propelled us to the top," Talley said. "It's been exciting.
Talley said numerous former Davis runners have sent their congratulations.
Talley admitted he and assistant Brad Anderson weren't sure how good this team would be as the season began.
"We thought we could be really good; if we worked hard we could win a state title," he said. "But it's how they have responded to each other that is exciting."
The team is paced by Taylor Cox, Hannah Albrechtsen, Aimee Vance, McKenzie Weir, Ashley Tyndall and Aubrey Argyle.
Argyle is the super freshman who is pushing, and being pushed by the upperclassmen.
"Aubrey is spunky for sure. She makes the senior girls work for everything they get. And they make her work too."
With the Region 1 championships set for Monday afternoon, followed by the state cross country championships on Oct. 23, the Darts will focus in-state for the next month.
The Darts will run in the Nike Southwest Regionals on Nov. 23 in Arizona. The top two teams earn a spot in the Nike Nationals In Portland, Ore. Davis aims to be one of those two teams.
"There are some amazing teams out there," Talley said. "There are some that could beat us. But there aren't any we cannot beat either."
Two other Utah girls teams were ranked in the top 50. Park City checked in at No. 22, with American Fork No. 33.
Invididually, Herrriman's Lucy Biles is ranked 15th nationally; Ogden senior Sara Feeny is ranked No. 22 overall.
On the boys side, American Fork is ranked No. 3 nationally, with Lone Peak 13th, Bingham 18th and Davis at No. 38. Alta's Kramer Morton is ranked No. 23 individually.
Images The Davis High girls country team celebrates atop the podium after winning the Bob Firman Invitational in September in Boise, Idaho. Photo courtesy of Davis High The Davis High girls cross country team leaves the start line as a group during a recent invitational race. Photo courtesy of Corbin Talley The Davis High girls country team celebrates atop the podium after winning the Bob Firman Invitational in September in Boise, Idaho. Photo courtesy of Davis High KAYSVILLE -- The Davis High School cross country juggernaut is in the midst of another successful season, with both the boys and girls squads doing well in the statewide and regional events. But while there are plenty of superlatives to describe the Darts program, Davis High reached another milestone last week as the girls squad earned a No. 1 ranking by Dyestate.com. The Davis girls had previously been ranked as high as No. 6 in the nation, while the Darts boys have had a No. 3 ranking in years past, but this is uncharted territory for coach Corbin Talley and the 35 girls on the cross country roster. "I think we have been amazed at how this team has responded to each other," Talley said. "This group has shown a willingness to go through a lot of pain, to work for each other. We've never had a team do it so well." New York's Fayetteville-Manlius has been the top team for the past seven season, winning all seven Nike Nationals. But the New York high school has been defeated several times this year, opening the door for other teams. And the Darts ran through it. With an amazing team victory at last month's Bob Firman Invitational in Boise, Idaho -- a race in which Davis set the combined team course record -- the Darts earned the top spot in the Oct. 5-6 rankings. "From our perspective, that race is what propelled us to the top," Talley said. "It's been exciting. Talley said numerous former Davis runners have sent their congratulations. Talley admitted he and assistant Brad Anderson weren't sure how good this team would be as the season began. "We thought we could be really good; if we worked hard we could win a state title," he said. "But it's how they have responded to each other that is exciting." The team is paced by Taylor Cox, Hannah Albrechtsen, Aimee Vance, McKenzie Weir, Ashley Tyndall and Aubrey Argyle. Argyle is the super freshman who is pushing, and being pushed by the upperclassmen. "Aubrey is spunky for sure. She makes the senior girls work for everything they get. And they make her work too." With the Region 1 championships set for Monday afternoon, followed by the state cross country championships on Oct. 23, the Darts will focus in-state for the next month. The Darts will run in the Nike Southwest Regionals on Nov. 23 in Arizona. The top two teams earn a spot in the Nike Nationals In Portland, Ore. Davis aims to be one of those two teams. "There are some amazing teams out there," Talley said. "There are some that could beat us. But there aren't any we cannot beat either." Two other Utah girls teams were ranked in the top 50. Park City checked in at No. 22, with American Fork No. 33. Individually, Herrriman's Lucy Biles is ranked 15th nationally; Ogden senior Sara Feeny is ranked No. 22 overall. On the boys side, American Fork is ranked No. 3 nationally, with Lone Peak 13th, Bingham 18th and Davis at No. 38. Alta's Kramer Morton is ranked No. 23 individually.
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