Spring Valley senior Kate Niehaus captured her fourth straight 4A State Cross Country title Nov. 5 in Columbia. Niehaus holds the state meet best of
17:36.81, set at the 2003 state meet. The 2003 meet was held at Fort Jackson's Hilton Field.
"I am really looking to qualify again," said Niehaus on her trip to Footlocker Nationals. Niehaus has competed in Footlocker Nationals since her freshman season.
For college, Niehaus mentioned she has narrowed it down to a few schools. As for being a senior Niehaus mentioned, "It's fun to be a senior and to be a team leader." Niehaus also mentioned that graduating will be sad. As for goals for track, Niehaus hopes to improve from last year. When asked if Niehaus would come back next season to support Spring Valley she stated, "Depending on where I go I will definitely come back for a few meets."
During the 2005 track and field season Niehaus set new state records of 4:59 (1600-meters) and 10:47.92 (3200-meters), leading the Vikings to the team title.
2005 recap
Niehaus covered the course Nov. 5 in 18:21 with Mauldin's Alyssa Kulik leading the Mavericks to the team title with a second place time of 18:54. Kulik's time was the third fastest of the day. Spring Valley girls finished seventh overall in the team standings.
Kristen Thomas, a senior at Clover (AAA girls, 7th, 19:50) had the following to say about Niehaus. "She is really, really amazing. I know Samantha (Coburn, Clover senior, 14th at state) and I both keep track of her times. I think she has gotten a lot of recognition for the sport." Thomas stated, on her last race. "I am kind of sad it is my last race." Prior to the 3A girls race Thomas mentioned she hoped she could get top five.
2004 recap
Niehaus covered the state meet event on Nov. 6, 2004 in 18:20 with Wren's Sunday Ford, now a student-athlete at Clemson University, second in 19:16. Spring Valley girls were eighth in team placing.
2003 Recap
Coaches and fans held on to their seats for one of the most intense races of the day. In 2002 Kate Niehaus, a then current sophomore at Spring Valley ran to a new state meet best time of 17:52.9. The one person missing last season was Angelina Blackmon. Blackmon was then a senior at Northwestern High School. Blackmon now attends North Carolina State University. In 2003 Niehaus and Blackmon ran side by side throughout the majority of the race with Niehaus taking the lead for good with 400-meters to go at Hilton Field. Niehaus set a new state meet best of 17:36.81. Blackmon ended up finishing fourth overall. Finishing second while setting a new personal best of 18:10.82 was Dorman freshman Stephanie Buffo. Buffo captured the Eye Opener title at the beginning of the 2003 season. Tiayonna Blackmon rounded out the top three. Summerville captured the team title with 70 points to second place finisher Northwestern's 88. Spartanburg rounded out the top three in team scoring.
2005 recap continued
Kayla Rainey, a junior at Crescent had the following to say about the state meet and Niehaus. "I think she (Niehaus) is awesome." On Rainey's 109th place out of 196 runners in the A/AA event she mentioned, "I did fairly ok. I needed to stretch more. Last year this course was different." "I didn't do my best time, but I didn't do my worst (time) either. Rainey also mentioned that Niehaus makes her want to to be better. "She wants me to do as well as she does and keep up the good work and being that she is a senior and improved every year maybe I will improve too."
Niehaus has two sisters that also run for Spring Valley. Emily, a sophomore finished in the fifth spot in the race while Annie, an eighth grader was 124th. Emily Niehaus mentioned on her race and the meet, "It went pretty good." At the time of talking to Emily Niehaus she mentioned she did not know her place or time. Emily Niehaus mentioned about her sister, "Kate wasn't feeling too good." As for the seniors on the Spring Valley team Emily Niehaus mentioned "They are really supportive." On her sister, "Even if I run bad she (Kate) brings me up." As for the graduation of Kate Niehaus, Emily mentioned, "It will hurt our team, definitely, but we have a bunch of eight graders that are coming up that are really good and that will help us a lot."
Kate Borowicz of Mann, a freshman was first in the 3A girl's race. Borowicz covered the course in 18:44, the second fastest time of the day. "I really didn't think it (the race) was that fast at the beginning, but I knew I had to what I had to do," said Borowicz. "I was really trying to stay away from Stephanie Gammon (Daniel) because I know she is an awesome runner." On the future, Borowicz mentioned she hopes to keep up what she is doing. Borowicz mentioned she is planning on competing in Footlocker South on Nov. 26 in Charlotte. As for placing as a team, Mann girls were second behind Daniel with Gammon rounding out the top three in individual places. "Our team did amazing. Our girls did so good," said Borowicz.
Borowicz had the following to say on Kate Niehaus. "Wow! She is absolutely amazing. She is a fantastic runner. She has encouraged me more than anyone else."
Coburn, a senior at clover was 14th overall in the girl's 3A race. "It (her race) was pretty good," said Coburn. "I didn't have my best time. I think it is due to the weather. I am more of a person that likes the cold weather." As for during the race, Coburn mentioned she was 10th for a while, but she stated how some girls has good kicks at the end of the race. Teammates Coburn and Thomas are running AAUs and USATF Junior Olympics this November and December. "Our girls team is doing excellent," said Coburn. "For the first time in Clover history we got second at Wendy's (Invitational at McAlpine Park in Charlotte). Coburn said the following about Kate Niehaus, "She is like my role model because she is so good. Most people in college don't even run that fast. She is proving that South Carolina does have fast runners." "I look up to Kate (Niehaus) a lot. I think if she can get through a race everyone else can." As for Coburn's college running the senior Blue Eagle stated, she is not sure, but USC coach Stan Rosenthal talked to her prior to this interview. "Any college. I am not sure yet," said Coburn.
Cornelius Harvin, a senior at Ridge View finished second overall to junior Mauldin Maverick Chad Holt in 16:06. Holt covered the distance in 15:59, the second fastest time of the day to 3A champion, Chris Scanlon who ran 15:51 as a senior at Mann. "I felt that I ran a little than usual," said Harvin. "The course is a little bit slower than other courses." As for competition Harvin stated, "The competition was definitely there." As for his race, Harvin mentioned, "I think I ran pretty well. I just got out and ran." Northwestern boys (38 points) captured the team title with Fort Mill (90) second and Ridge View (163) third.
Bluffton boys were first in the 3A boy's team race with 86 points. Mann was second with 124.
Stratford senior Toma Walker finished sixth overall in 16:29. "It (his race) was alright," said Walker. "The competition was good. I am getting ready for indoor."
Pendleton boy's captured the A/AA state title while Broome sophomore Stefan Shealy was first individually in 16:14. Chesnee's Carey Phillips was first in the A/AA girl's race. Broome girls were named state champion.
SCRUNNERS.com site administrator John Olson will be onsite this weekend at the USATF Junior Olympics Association State Meet in Spartanburg.
The early college signing period starts today, Nov. 9 and runs through Nov. 16. Submit college signings with other notes to john@scrunners.com. To view the South Carolina college signing page for 2005-2006 go to: http://www.milesplit.com/collegesignings.php?state=SC
John Olson, scrunners.com site administrator contributed to this report
"I am really looking to qualify again," said Niehaus on her trip to Footlocker Nationals. Niehaus has competed in Footlocker Nationals since her freshman season.
For college, Niehaus mentioned she has narrowed it down to a few schools. As for being a senior Niehaus mentioned, "It's fun to be a senior and to be a team leader." Niehaus also mentioned that graduating will be sad. As for goals for track, Niehaus hopes to improve from last year. When asked if Niehaus would come back next season to support Spring Valley she stated, "Depending on where I go I will definitely come back for a few meets."
During the 2005 track and field season Niehaus set new state records of 4:59 (1600-meters) and 10:47.92 (3200-meters), leading the Vikings to the team title.
2005 recap
Niehaus covered the course Nov. 5 in 18:21 with Mauldin's Alyssa Kulik leading the Mavericks to the team title with a second place time of 18:54. Kulik's time was the third fastest of the day. Spring Valley girls finished seventh overall in the team standings.
Kristen Thomas, a senior at Clover (AAA girls, 7th, 19:50) had the following to say about Niehaus. "She is really, really amazing. I know Samantha (Coburn, Clover senior, 14th at state) and I both keep track of her times. I think she has gotten a lot of recognition for the sport." Thomas stated, on her last race. "I am kind of sad it is my last race." Prior to the 3A girls race Thomas mentioned she hoped she could get top five.
2004 recap
Niehaus covered the state meet event on Nov. 6, 2004 in 18:20 with Wren's Sunday Ford, now a student-athlete at Clemson University, second in 19:16. Spring Valley girls were eighth in team placing.
2003 Recap
Coaches and fans held on to their seats for one of the most intense races of the day. In 2002 Kate Niehaus, a then current sophomore at Spring Valley ran to a new state meet best time of 17:52.9. The one person missing last season was Angelina Blackmon. Blackmon was then a senior at Northwestern High School. Blackmon now attends North Carolina State University. In 2003 Niehaus and Blackmon ran side by side throughout the majority of the race with Niehaus taking the lead for good with 400-meters to go at Hilton Field. Niehaus set a new state meet best of 17:36.81. Blackmon ended up finishing fourth overall. Finishing second while setting a new personal best of 18:10.82 was Dorman freshman Stephanie Buffo. Buffo captured the Eye Opener title at the beginning of the 2003 season. Tiayonna Blackmon rounded out the top three. Summerville captured the team title with 70 points to second place finisher Northwestern's 88. Spartanburg rounded out the top three in team scoring.
2005 recap continued
Kayla Rainey, a junior at Crescent had the following to say about the state meet and Niehaus. "I think she (Niehaus) is awesome." On Rainey's 109th place out of 196 runners in the A/AA event she mentioned, "I did fairly ok. I needed to stretch more. Last year this course was different." "I didn't do my best time, but I didn't do my worst (time) either. Rainey also mentioned that Niehaus makes her want to to be better. "She wants me to do as well as she does and keep up the good work and being that she is a senior and improved every year maybe I will improve too."
Niehaus has two sisters that also run for Spring Valley. Emily, a sophomore finished in the fifth spot in the race while Annie, an eighth grader was 124th. Emily Niehaus mentioned on her race and the meet, "It went pretty good." At the time of talking to Emily Niehaus she mentioned she did not know her place or time. Emily Niehaus mentioned about her sister, "Kate wasn't feeling too good." As for the seniors on the Spring Valley team Emily Niehaus mentioned "They are really supportive." On her sister, "Even if I run bad she (Kate) brings me up." As for the graduation of Kate Niehaus, Emily mentioned, "It will hurt our team, definitely, but we have a bunch of eight graders that are coming up that are really good and that will help us a lot."
Kate Borowicz of Mann, a freshman was first in the 3A girl's race. Borowicz covered the course in 18:44, the second fastest time of the day. "I really didn't think it (the race) was that fast at the beginning, but I knew I had to what I had to do," said Borowicz. "I was really trying to stay away from Stephanie Gammon (Daniel) because I know she is an awesome runner." On the future, Borowicz mentioned she hopes to keep up what she is doing. Borowicz mentioned she is planning on competing in Footlocker South on Nov. 26 in Charlotte. As for placing as a team, Mann girls were second behind Daniel with Gammon rounding out the top three in individual places. "Our team did amazing. Our girls did so good," said Borowicz.
Borowicz had the following to say on Kate Niehaus. "Wow! She is absolutely amazing. She is a fantastic runner. She has encouraged me more than anyone else."
Coburn, a senior at clover was 14th overall in the girl's 3A race. "It (her race) was pretty good," said Coburn. "I didn't have my best time. I think it is due to the weather. I am more of a person that likes the cold weather." As for during the race, Coburn mentioned she was 10th for a while, but she stated how some girls has good kicks at the end of the race. Teammates Coburn and Thomas are running AAUs and USATF Junior Olympics this November and December. "Our girls team is doing excellent," said Coburn. "For the first time in Clover history we got second at Wendy's (Invitational at McAlpine Park in Charlotte). Coburn said the following about Kate Niehaus, "She is like my role model because she is so good. Most people in college don't even run that fast. She is proving that South Carolina does have fast runners." "I look up to Kate (Niehaus) a lot. I think if she can get through a race everyone else can." As for Coburn's college running the senior Blue Eagle stated, she is not sure, but USC coach Stan Rosenthal talked to her prior to this interview. "Any college. I am not sure yet," said Coburn.
Cornelius Harvin, a senior at Ridge View finished second overall to junior Mauldin Maverick Chad Holt in 16:06. Holt covered the distance in 15:59, the second fastest time of the day to 3A champion, Chris Scanlon who ran 15:51 as a senior at Mann. "I felt that I ran a little than usual," said Harvin. "The course is a little bit slower than other courses." As for competition Harvin stated, "The competition was definitely there." As for his race, Harvin mentioned, "I think I ran pretty well. I just got out and ran." Northwestern boys (38 points) captured the team title with Fort Mill (90) second and Ridge View (163) third.
Bluffton boys were first in the 3A boy's team race with 86 points. Mann was second with 124.
Stratford senior Toma Walker finished sixth overall in 16:29. "It (his race) was alright," said Walker. "The competition was good. I am getting ready for indoor."
Pendleton boy's captured the A/AA state title while Broome sophomore Stefan Shealy was first individually in 16:14. Chesnee's Carey Phillips was first in the A/AA girl's race. Broome girls were named state champion.
SCRUNNERS.com site administrator John Olson will be onsite this weekend at the USATF Junior Olympics Association State Meet in Spartanburg.
The early college signing period starts today, Nov. 9 and runs through Nov. 16. Submit college signings with other notes to john@scrunners.com. To view the South Carolina college signing page for 2005-2006 go to: http://www.milesplit.com/collegesignings.php?state=SC
John Olson, scrunners.com site administrator contributed to this report