Novi Information Network, Novi Michigan USA

Novi's Joe Schubring qualifies for Cross Country State Finals!
October 31, 2010 MORE

A huge congratulations to Wildcat Joe Schubring, one the area's top runners, who qualified for Boy's Cross Country State Finals by placing 11th overall in a very competitive regional competition Friday at Huron Meadows Metro Park.

Veteran Head Coach Bob Smith noted following the competition, "Region 6-1 contained most of the top runners in southeastern Michigan. Even though it was called a 'region' I hesitate to use that term. I would like to say 'Shame' on the MHSAA for this terrible gerrymandering of the State of Michigan. The term regional is an oxy-moron. It is anything but a region... just look at a map."

Schubring ran a blazing 16:00 for 11th place overall. Smith explained that Joe decided that the best way for him to qualify was to control the race pace. Joe took the lead right from the beginning. It was obvious that he was not about to let the talented field to get away from him. This was a brilliant racing strategy on his part.

Even though there are always a few top runners who fade during the race, Joe could not take that chance; especially give the number of runners in the front pack. True to prediction, most of the top runners continued on in the front pack for the entire race.

"I am very proud of Joe for realizing that he needed to be up in front from the beginning. It may have cost him a few seconds and places but he couldn't take the chance of letting the pack slip away. Leading a race is very difficult. The pack just settles in and lets the top guy do all of the work. Joe knew this, but he also knew he had no other choice. It was very satisfying to see the plan work out so well," said Smith.

The top 15 athletes qualify for States as well as the top 3 teams. Many quality teams and individuals are staying home.

"This region is actually a double insult since the individual qualifiers must come out of the pool of the top 15. The State puts an unbalanced number of top teams in the region and then they add insult to injury by not having real provisions for top individuals to make it out. A runner in our region who runs 16:13 would be shut out for the State Finals. In many other regions, 16:13 would win it. I feel especially bad for Brett Giampa. Brett ran a 16:49. I can almost guarantee you that runners in the 17's and maybe even the 18's will make it out individually in other regions. I am finding it difficult to explain to Brett that the system is inherently unfair and that he has to just accept it. I am having a difficult time accepting it. There are relatively easy solutions, but the MHSAA doesn't seem to care if the top athletes qualify or not. Yes, I am quite disappointed and frustrated with this system that we are stuck with," explained Smith.

Although Novi's 9th place team finish doesn't show it, the Wildcats ran extremely well.

"We had 23 guys set Career Personal Records today, and this is on top of the 29 that we had the week before. I was concerned that after all of the personal-bests we had last week that we may have come up flat. Quite the contrary. Some of the guys had huge improvements today."

In fact, Brennan Giese who broke his previous best by a whopping 1:39. Other significant improvements came from Mitch Hall (54 second improvement), Allen Potter (50), Paul Hoag (42), Josh Squires (21), Cameron Richman (16) and Travis Trainor (15).

"This is a nice way to finish. It gives our seniors some nice times to graduate with, and it gives us a solid foundation for next year for all of the guys coming back," said Smith.

The 2010 MHSAA Cross Country State Finals will take place on Saturday, November 6th at the MIS Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan. Race time is 2:00 p.m. for Joe - Division I Men.