Tony Smoragiewicz takes the lead and holds it from beginning to end. (Photo Sam Hurst)
Sturgis Wins First Ever Women’s Team Championship
HURON–The gods of racing toyed with Tamara Gorman and Tony Smoragiewicz Saturday at the state cross country championships at Huron’s Broad Creek National Golf Course. The dynamic duo barely noticed.
After a season of fair weather, cross-country runners from all across the state woke to a steady morning rain, and the threat of a muddy, slick track. But by race time the rain had moved away, the course was dry, and all the gods had left to throw at runners was an intense, suffocating, humidity that brought several runners in the early races to their knees at the finish line gasping, “It’s so hard to breath, it’s just hard to breath.”
Stevens freshman Tamara Gorman, who trains with Tony Smoragiewicz as a national-level triathlete, held back for the first mile of the Women’s “AA” 4000 meter course.
Stevens Freshman Tamara Gorman on her way to becoming the state champion. (Photo Sam Hurst)
“I think I ran a smart race…a really smart race.” She said after her victory. “I was holding back the first mile. I get nervous on the line. Going out is hard because you just want to go, but I had to hold back. My coach told me to.”
“We stressed it all week.” Said Stevens coach Jesse Coy. “We wanted to pay attention to the middle of the race, the second and third kilometer. We didn’t want our runners to get complacent in the middle.”
By the half way mark, Gorman had made her move. But the combination of nerves, youth, and humidity got inside her head. “I kept thinking how hard it is. With about 800 meters left my stomach started to hurt and I wanted to quit. But I didn’t. I fought through it.” She fought through it all the way to victory, with a time of 14:40, 20 seconds ahead of Courtney Neubert of Aberdeen Central, and 35 seconds ahead of the Sturgis duo of Kahlie Peterson and Madeleine Takahashi.
Takahashi, who is a two-time state “AA” Women’s champion, ran the entire race like a three-headed queen; part big sister, part field coach, and part inspiration to her young Sturgis teammates Kahlie Peterson who is in the 9th grade, and 8th grader Taylor Applegate. Takahashi lost her individual crown to Gorman, but Sturgis won its first Women’s team title in school history.
Unlike Gorman, Tony Smoragiewicz did not hold back. He broke on top of the “AA” Men’s field from the gun. It was an unusual race strategy for the Central junior. But he ran the course less than a month ago and felt confident.
Smoragiewicz ran the entire race against himself, often fifty yards ahead of his nearest rival. He ran with grace and…a smile. Was it a grimace? …the results of the humidity? …or, sheer joy?
“I felt really good. I was just trying to keep my rhythm up. I was smiling because I was happy.” He explained after the race, with a big smile.
About 400 meters from the finish line Smoragiewicz was far ahead and burst into a full sprint. A nearby fan turned to a friend and commented, “You have to be really good to run that fast with no one behind you.” He finished the men’s 5,000 meter course in a time of 15:43, a full 30 seconds ahead of runner-up Tanner Ahrendt of Roosevelt. Riley Coates of Stevens crossed the finish line in third place, three seconds behind Ahrendt.
“It’s been a long year.” Said Tony’s father, Jim Smoragiewicz, with a mixture of pride and relief. “It’s been fun to watch him all season. Now he’s just getting tougher and tougher with every race that comes along.”
Ever since the end of last year’s cross country season , Tony Smoragiewicz has been the prince-in-waiting. “I kept saying to people, ‘This is the next big one.’” Said Central coach Loren Kambestad. “He will probably end up being among the best top ten runners in the history of South Dakota, which is saying a lot. There’s a lot of great names up there. He’s also become my best leader this year. He is really team oriented.”
The individual expectations have increased with every victory. So, did he feel any pressure on Saturday? “No. I didn’t approach it like I was suppose to win the championship.” He said after the race. “I don’t think like that. It was more a reward for training hard all season.”
“Some kids can handle the pressure better than others.” Jim Smoragiewicz added. “Tony works on it. You have to work on the mental part. It doesn’t just come. He’s worked on it ever since middle school, trying to be positive and not too nervous.”
As InsideDakotaSports reported last week, Tamara Gorman and Tony Smoragiewicz train year round as triathletes. Gorman is the national 14 year old champion, and Smoragiewicz is ranked 4th in his age division. So what are they going to do to celebtrate their state titles? “I’ll be at the swim center at 5 in the morning on Monday.” Said Gorman. Smoragiewicz will be swimming laps right next to her.
As night fell on Huron, it began to rain.
For complete State Cross Country results: (http://sd.milesplit.com/meets/80973)
Great writting Sam. Feel like I got the inside story instead of just a story. This seems to be a lost art in local sports reporting. These two winners are some kind of great athelets.. Go try to run a few miles if you don’t believe me. IDS is bringing running to level of recognition that has been sorely missed. These kids might be the best athelets of any sport.