With the state high school cross country championships just a few weeks away, the Viewmont High boys and girls teams have set the mark. Both teams came home with Region 6 titles from last week’s competition.

In the boys’ division, Viewmont scored 42 points to easily hold off second-place Alta, which had 59 (low scores win in cross country, based on where runners finish). Junior Junah Overson placed second at 14:59.7, with sophomore Micah Hooper third at 14:59.9. All five of the Viewmont scoring runners were in the top 12. Sophomores Luke Hyde (11th, 15:41.3) and Felix Pexton (12th, 15:43.2) were joined by senior Sam Hooper (14th, 15:43.7) among the top finishers.

The Lady Vikes easily distanced themselves from second-place Olympus and are the favorites for the state 5A title when races are held on Oct. 29. Photo courtesy of Viewmont High coach Trent Hooper

 In girls’ racing, Viewmont scored 31 points to distance itself from second-place Olympus at 68 points. Junior Alyssa Clayton placed third at 17:42.6, with four more teammates all in the top 10. Junior Lydia Stringfellow was fifth at 18:34.0, sophomore Quincy Marshall sixth at 18:40.4, senior Cecelia Walton seventh at 18:43.8 and sophomore Kathryn Lee 10th at 19:02.9. In fact, all seven Vikings finished in the top 15, as senior Brooklyn Brady was 11th at 19:04.8 and freshman Lydia Johnson 15th at 19:17.7.

“The teams were great,” coach Trent Hooper said. “They were cautious on the hills parts of the course, and it gave us good preparation for state races.”

Viewmont was to compete in divisional races this coming week and then get ready for the state championships that will be held at Sugar House Park on Nov. 29. Hooper says the girls team is considered one of the favorites since “they haven’t lost to a 5A team all year.” The boys team will be among the favorites for the 5A title as well, though Maple Mountain has beaten Viewmont in two meets this year. Both teams have a lot of young runners, which makes the future bright for Viewmont.

“Our fingers crossed and we’re trying to buckle down,” Hooper said in preparation for state. “There’s an outside chance that we could win on both sides. It’s how big that chance is, but it’s not outside the question. If we could pull that off, that would be incredible for us. I don’t think that has ever been done before. But I do believe we’re in good shape for a podium finish (either first or second as a team).”

In the 5A boys race, Bountiful finished third at 68 and Woods Cross fifth at 124. Woods Cross senior Sam Phippen was sixth at 15:22.1 and his senior teammate Henry Hyde placed 20th at 15:59.2. Bountiful had four top 20 finishers: senior Drew Babcock (seventh, 15:22.3), junior David Ebert (eighth, 15:27.3), junior Evan Ostler (ninth, 15:27.6) and sophomore Blake Harding (18th, 15:54.1).

Woods Cross girls were third in team scoring at 90, while Bountiful was fifth at 129. Junior Gwen Gillespie led the Wildcats with a ninth place finish at 18:57.7, her junior teammate McKenna Webster was 14th at 19:12.0, and sophomore Kimberly Pace was 17th at 19:34.3. Bountiful had one top 20 finisher as senior Ella McQuay placed 19th at 19:46.9.