Fall Preview: New blood hopes energize MP boys XC

A lot has changed for the Mountain Pointe boys cross country team since the 2007 season ended.

Gone is Kris Alexander, the program's coach who left for a similar position at Mesa Mountain View. Gone is Brady Alling, who finished 10th individually at the Class 5A-I state meet. Gone are five of the team's top seven runners.

But still here is Dan Wilson, a senior who finished 28th at state last year and who will lead the Pride in 2008.

"Since the summer, he's been the leader," said new MP co-coach Omar Ortega, who along with Heather Kiser, will head up the program this season. "Because I'm kind of new to the program, I didn't know the roster, so I asked him what kind of runners we had. He's been the one telling me about things, the one stepping up with the team."

Senior Brian Bauer is the Pride's other returning runner from the team's top seven at state last year.

"They're going to be part of the top two," Ortega said.

Last year's team finished in a tie for eighth at state, but losing a tie-breaker dropped MP to ninth.

"We want to finish before ninth, for sure," Ortega said. "The team goal is at least top five. I haven't been following how kids from other high schools are doing, so we'll still have to see what's going on with them."

Among Ortega's new roles has been getting up for 5:30 practices every morning.

"They're the ones that like to get up that early," he said with a laugh. "Actually, they would probably like to do it earlier. Heather and I are the ones that pushed back the practice time because we're the ones that want to get more sleep. They want to be out by five running."

The Pride have four seniors slated to run with the varsity team.

"That definitely helps, but there are some guys that aren't seniors that are also running pretty good," Ortega said. "Jake (Washatka), he's a junior, and he's running very decent. He will probably be top three. He's really good. We just need to work a little more on him."