It's always hard to have a "best ever" conversation about teams. And that goes for any sport, really. But when it comes to Downingtown West, it's maybe a conversation we need to have when it comes to best ever in PA. Consider that they had three guys (!) break 16 minutes on the steep, rolling hills of Hershey's Parkview course. Consider that usual number one, Jaxson Hoey, was the Whippets' third guy at NXN Northeast, and they still rolled to a convincing victory.
It's certainly a valid conversation. Of course, no conversation like that can ever take place without mentioning the great 2006 Coatesville team that won Nike Team Nationals (as it was called back then). Still, in this more modern era, it's reasonable to say that this is the best boys' team we've seen since then. D-Town West has some incredible depth and they've used it to win every race they've entered in 2015. It's been a memorable season for the Whippets, indeed.
The Whippets won at Carlisle (by 62 points over NJ power Don Bosco) and won the Eastern States Championship race at the Manhattan Invitational against some more top teams. Two days later, and minus some top guys, the Whippets won the Ches-Mont League. At the District One championship, they went 2-3-4 in a romp and then won states by a wide margin, going 2-3-6.
Last week, Downingtown West became the first PA team in the history of NXN to finish first in the Northeast region. They're still not satisfied.
"We had a goal in the beginning of the season to win states and be in the top five at nationals," Jaxson Hoey said.
Fair enough. They'll face a challenge from some teams out west, but it's definitely a possibility for this group. In 2012, Cardinal O'Hara placed fifth in the nation. The Whippets will look to have a similar result.
We're thankful that the seven runners from Downingtown West were kind enough to answer some questions for us before they toe the line in Portland tomorrow. Read their thoughts on the season thus far below (Photos by Don Rich, Patty Morgan and Megan Zeller):
Drew Alansky - Junior
Alansky's season highlights: Alansky started the season on JV, taking third in the JV race a Carlisle, but worked his way into the top seven for the postseason run. At states, the junior squeaked into the top 100, placing 99th in a time of 17:07 at Hershey.
PennTrackXC: What do you think were the keys to success this season?
Drew Alansky: The key to success was staying focused.
PTXC: What has been the most enjoyable part of this year?
DA: Getting to run with my boys was the most enjoyed part of the season.
PTXC: Talk about the bond of this team and how important that has been.
DA: The team is our family and we always are checking up on each other and that is why we have been successful.
PTXC: What does the honor of being NXN Northeast team champion mean to you?
DA: This experience is unreal, people are actually realizing our school has a XC team now.
Ryan Barton - Junior
Barton's season highlights: Barton's season started tremendously. He put together big races at Carlisle and then Manhattan and Ches-Monts (with only a few days rest). Barton had a tough race at districts and didn't race at states, but regained his form for NXN Northeast. At Bowdoin Park, Barton placed 36th in the rain and mud in a time of 16:45. His depth as the 4/5 runner has proved to be crucial in D-Town West's success.
PTXC: What do you think were the keys to success this season?
Ryan Barton: The biggest key to success this season was staying focused and doing all of the little things right. At the beginning of the season, Coach Burns gave us a little notecard and we wrote our goals for the season on that card. He told us, it wasn't supposed to be a time goal, although that's good to have, write something that you feel is important to your success this season. So, we all wrote down the things that we wanted to do. Most of the things we wanted to do seemed inconsequential, but in the grand scheme of things, they add up to be the difference between a good team and a great team. Making sure we stayed focused on our goal and doing all of the little things made the biggest difference in my season. "You're not just a runner for the 2 hours you're at practice, you're a runner 24 hours a day, 7 days a week." -Burns
PTXC: What has been the most enjoyable part of this year?
RB: The best part of the year easily was winning Nike Northeast Regionals. There was nothing better than seeing the goals you've been working towards for 6 months with these 7 guys come into place. At the beginning of the season we knew it was gonna be a special year and we put our sights pretty high. Throughout the year we had some pretty big wins but nothing was more special than that.
PTXC: Talk about the bond of this team and how important that has been.
RB: The bond that this team has is something really special. When you're on that line before a big race, there's something really comforting about knowing you have 6 guys out on that course that have your back no matter what. There's also something in your mind that makes you want to put yourself in as much pain as possible for the guys that are doing the same for you. On this team, you're not just racing for yourself, you're racing for each other.
PTXC: What does the honor of being NXN Northeast team champion mean to you?
RB: Being the team champion is a huge honor. It just shows how blessed we are to be able to run with each other every day and work hard. However, the hard work isn't over yet. We believe we have the power to do something really special at nationals. We celebrated this really special win over the weekend but on Monday it was time to get back to work and look forward to the next race. I don't think any of us will ever forget the day we won NXN Northeast Regionals but we're trying to make an even more special memory this Saturday.
Jaxson Hoey - Senior
Jaxson Hoey's season highlights: It's been quite a season for the eldest Hoey brother. In his first XC season, since transferring a little under a year ago from Malvern Prep, Jaxson made his competitors in the PIAA know his name right away. Jaxson won at Carlisle and finished ninth in the top race at Manhattan to start the season off right. He ended up just short of District One and AAA state individual titles--getting out-kicked in both races by CB East's Jake Brophy--but he still had a stellar season. He had an uncharacteristic off day at NXN Northeast, but the Penn State-bound senior will look to redeem himself at nationals. He's certainly a contender for All-American honors.
PTXC: What do you think were the keys to success this season?
Jaxson Hoey: The keys were staying focused and being intentional. We had a goal in the beginning of the season to win states and be in the top five at nationals. Everything we have done has been in light of that this season.
PTXC: What has been the most enjoyable part of this year?
JH: The most enjoyable part has been getting to know each other. We are brothers now because we have achieved a lot of big things this year.
PTXC: Talk about the bond of this team and how important that has been.
JH: We are brothers. We encourage each other and keep each other accountable.
PTXC: What does the honor of being NXN Northeast team champion mean to you?
JH: It's a great honor, but it's just the next step to our goal our placing in the top 5 at nationals.
Josh Hoey - Sophomore
Josh Hoey's season highlights: Josh Hoey has the poise of a seasoned veteran of high school cross country runner despite being only a sophomore. It probably doesn't hurt having his older brother lead the way for him. Josh has made a name for himself, though. He hung on valiantly with brother Jaxson and Jake Brophy at both districts and states before taking third in both races. Not too shabby. Josh also claimed a Ches-Mont League individual title and led to the Whippets with a seventh place finish at regionals.
PTXC: What do you think were the keys to success this season?
Josh Hoey: The major key to success this season was how we were there for each other throughout the season. We pushed ourselves to go harder in workouts and challenged each other's commitment. This helped us to run faster than we individually thought we could.
PTXC: What has been the most enjoyable part of this year?
JH: The most enjoyable part of the season was winning regionals. We were worried after not all our team ran well, however we still pulled it out. It felt surreal
PTXC: Talk about the bond of this team and how important that has been.
JH: Our team bond is unparalleled. We challenge each other and have fun as well. I would not have run as well as I did without my 6 brothers on the team
PTXC: What does the honor of being NXN Northeast team champion mean to you?
JH: It was amazing. It was the first year we had one and it was an incredible experience. We were just really grateful for the opportunity.
Jake O'Neill - Junior
O'Neill's season highlights: Not many runners can say they've run their fastest official time at Hershey. Unless you're Jake O'Neill. The junior had a monster race at states, helping the Whippets secure a dominating victory over the rest of the state. His 16:37 was good enough for 40th place in AAA. Talk about a good time to breakout. O'Neill was 51st at regionals and will look for another big performance at nationals on Saturday.
PTXC: What do you think were the keys to success this season?
Jake O'Neill: I strongly believe the key to our success this year is the unity and culture we have developed. Whether it is making up for someone else's race by stepping up yours, or pushing one another in a workout, our relationships with one another are what have given us the success we have seen so far this season.
PTXC: What has been the most enjoyable part of this year?
JO: For me, the most enjoyable part of the season has been the Manhattan Invite. It was the first larger race that we had success in this season and were fortunate enough to win the boys regional championship race there. It was so enjoyable because it was the first taste of what we had coming later in the season and allowed us to see where we stood as a team against some great competition.
PTXC: Talk about the bond of this team and how important that has been.
JO: Just as I was getting to above, the bond of this team is in my opinion the biggest contributor to our success. Not only does our top 7 have a great bond, but also the younger runners on the team and the coaching staff. We all have such great relationships with one another and this really creates an atmosphere where growth is inevitable. We also see this extend outside of the team. Our parents, the community, our school, and our friends have all given us so much support this year and we are all extremely grateful for it.
PTXC: What does the honor of being NXN Northeast team champion mean to you?
JO: This honor means more than just the title for myself and our team. It's a celebration of all the work we have put in since early August. It's a thank you to everyone who has supported us and cheered us on this season. And it serves as a new benchmark for the program and the athletes who run for our school in the future.
Ben Ryherd - Senior
Ryherd's season highlights: Every team needs a rock and in the case of Downingtown West, that is Ben Ryherd. Ryherd has been consistent all season for the Whippets. He was the fourth man at district (in a PR time of 16:15), and the fifth man at states and regionals, providing that solid production at a critical spot on the team. Where some teams fade because of weak four and five runners, Ryherd is, instead, a strength.
PTXC: What do you think were the keys to success this season?
Ben Ryherd: I think the key to success was the team attitude. Running for something greater than ourselves gave us more strength than any one individual.
PTXC: What has been the most enjoyable part of this year?
BR: The people around me. This team really has the characteristics of people who are together and truly friends
PTXC: Talk about the bond of this team and how important that has been.
BR: Well, I think I answered this with the two questions above. The team has meant everything.
PTXC: What does the honor of being NXN Northeast team champion mean to you?
BR: This is a great honor and is a great pay off for all the dedication that has been put in the last 5 months especially. It's a great capstone to my senior year cross country season.
Henry Sappey - Senior
Sappey's season highlights: Few teams, if any, have a more solid third man than Downingtown West. When the Hoey brothers joined the team after XC last year, it may have been easy for the previous number one, Henry Sappey, to not take too kindly to having to relinquish that role headed into his senior year. But Sappey's responded by turning in his best season yet. He's been on a tear this season, placing fourth at districts and sixth in the state (in a 15:53...WOW!). Sappey turned it up a notch at NXN Northeast, running a 16:09 in the rain, good enough for tenth place.
PTXC: What do you think were the keys to success this season?
Henry Sappey: I think our success this season stems from knowing exactly what we wanted to accomplish and keeping a sharp focus all season, and also the camaraderie and bond we built throughout the past several months.
PTXC: What has been the most enjoyable part of this year?
HS: Definitely the thing I enjoyed the most was having the opportunity to compete in incredibly competitive meets against some very talented teams across the region.
PTXC: Talk about the bond of this team and how important that has been.
HS: As previously mentioned, the bond within the team is something that has greatly contributed to our success this season. Hanging out with those 6 guys both at practice and outside of practice is something I look forward to every day
PTXC: What does the honor of being NXN Northeast team champion mean to you?
HS: Getting first in an incredibly talented region gave us all the confidence in the world going into our biggest test of the season by far. However we know we will have to continue to work as hard as we have been all season long and go in with the mindset that we're going up with the best of the best and anything can happen.
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The Downingtown West boys race tomorrow at Nike Cross Nationals from Portland, Oregon. Also competing in the race is Unionville senior Kent Hall. Follow @PennTrackXC and @MileSplit on Twitter for live updates throughout the day.