Can the Coyotes can make it three straight second-place finishes when the 2009 State Cross Country Meet is held Saturday at Valley City? While anything is possible, the Coyotes aren't holding their breath that lightning will strike three years in a row.
"We knew we had a shot at second (last year)," said Williston boys coach Clint Chamberlin. "And we knew we had a shot at second before that."
Realistically, the Coyotes are hoping for a fifth-place finish at Saturday's meet. A fifth-place finish would fall in line to where Williston has been all season. The Coyotes have been ranked No. 5 for much of the season.
"We are hoping to be under 200 points," Chamberlin said. "We should be able to do much better than that." Bismarck is the favorite to win the team state title. Grand Forks Central, West Fargo and Bismarck Century also figure to have strong showings at Saturday's meet. Those three schools finished second, third and fourth in the final state rankings that were released on Oct. 7.
The Coyotes are coming off a somewhat disappointing WDA meet nearly two weeks ago, in which Williston edged out Jamestown for third place. The Coyotes were 45 points behind second-place finisher Century.
"They've been working on what they need to do," the Williston coach said.
Although Chamberlain declined to comment on what the Coyotes needed to do differently Saturday, he seems confident that his runners will be ready to go come race day.
The Coyotes will need several strong showings if they are to move up in the standings. Among the Williston runners expected to do well Saturday is junior Nathan Donnelly.
"I'm excited," Donnelly said. "It's going to be a battle for fifth between us, Jamestown and Fargo Shanley. We might be able to catch up to Century."
Donnelly is hoping for a 13th-place finish or better at Saturday's meet. Considering he ran 1,000 miles over the course of the summer, he should be in prime position to accomplish his goal.
The Class A boys race is scheduled to be the first race of the day, starting at 1 p.m.
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