X-Country team

The Judge Memorial X-Country team had an excellent season. They went to state and finished closely behind the state champs, Park City. X-Country training will start up again late this summer. Most practices are held at Sugar House Park. If you would like to start training, Coach Cordova will be in the weight room Monday – Thursday for those of you who would like to start training ahead of time. Everyone is welcome to join the team. If you are interested or would like more information you can contact Coach Reed at mreed@judgememorial.com.

Women's Cross Country Hope For More State Winners

When a person sees the Judge Memorial girls cross country team running it might not seem special, but when that person finds out that the team runs at least six miles every day and has many runners with scores on the state level it might change their opinion. Judge is a 3A school that has a gifted girls cross country team. The Judge team is a no cut team meaning anyone who had the determination can run. The only rules are that once a person joins they must be to practice on time and try their hardest. Right now there are about 20 dedicated girls on the Judge cross country team. They practice every day after school running anywhere from 5-12 miles depending on the day. Every Saturday they have a meet somewhere in the district. "Just because it's a no cut team doesn't mean you can slack off. You still have to be there for every practice and race and you need to try your best and be determined." says freshman Elisabeth Barrows.

The team has been very successful in past years. They have won state before and many of their runners have scored on state level on their own. Two such girls are Hailey Knettles and Lindsay Baker who were amazing runners the four years they were at Judge however the school lost them when they graduated and started college at the University of Portland (Oregon). Many other girls have run and scored on state level such as Jacqui Rodriguez, Lizzie Hindert, and Alex Hallows. With many of these girls having graduated or coming upon senior year, the coaches at Judge are looking to the freshman to start a whole new line of winners. the Judge women's cross country team hopes to pose a serious threat to the title this year as well as many of their rivals.

By Emily Strand

Girls Cross Country: Revealed

Cross country is defined as a long race run over fields, through woods, or over hills. The definition almost presents the sport in a derogative way, making it seem simple, uncomplicated, and undemanding. Those who have experience in the activity know better then to believe such dishonesty. Cross country is an extreme distance run, with many rewards. Belonging to a team, accomplishing a task, cheering for others, and getting in shape are some of the numerous benefits cross country provides. Listen to the wise words that Coach Reed spoke at freshman orientation "If you aren't involved in a sport, or wish to do a sport. Run cross country!" As a freshman cross country can help get to know other people and become a part of the Judge community, even more so then before. Upper classmen who have experience can be leaders of the team and guide others to a well deserved victory. Either way cross country benefits you beyond belief!

Girls cross country is one of those unique sports where anyone can join. Although the cross country meeting has already occurred (on August 25) it doesn't mean that you have missed the fabulous opportunity to become a true bulldog. You can contact head coach Bob Thompson for information and forms that are required for any Judge sport. Coach Thompson has been the assistant for many years and finally has been granted with the head title. With the current loss of some amazing runners (due to their graduation) Coach Thompson is ready to find some new, talented runners.

For those of you who wish to cheer on the magnificent girls cross country team, they have multiple upcoming events. September 6, 12, 20, and 27^th the varsity team will be running "Invite" (located at many different high schools and colleges.) For more information and locations go to this page.

Boys Cross Country: Crossing the Finish Line Into a New Year at Judge Memorial

It's a new year at Judge which means another successful year for Cross Country. Bob Thompson, this year has taken over of this popular and successful program as head coach. Freshman Dean Mattie Reed, last year's head coach, and Dan Quinn, former head coach, are still on as assistant coaches. When I talked to assistant coach Mattie Reed about the team this year she told me that it was, "a building team, they are a group of talented young runners who are still building up their skill and are new to the sport but very confident and try their best." I then talked to new freshman Rico Archebeque who just started running this year, "Cross Country is a great way to get in shape," he says, "but even though I am in good shape already (laughs) it still wares me down plus it's a great way to meet new people." Next I got a chance to talk to sophomore Jackson Elizondo who quoted saying, "This is my second year running cross country for Judge Memorial and I play three sports and cross country is by far the best and has a close team. You can always count on one of them to have your back." But though having lost All-American and Utah Boys Gatorade Athlete of the Year Luke Puskedra (University of Oregon) who will be greatly missed. A group of talented youngsters, like Rico, should keep the team in the running for another shot at the state title.

The FAST, the FURIOUS, the Boys Jr.Varsity Cross Country Team

Judge Memorial Boys X-country team has many upcoming meets. They are September 6 at BYU, September 12 at Murray city park, September 20 at Eagle Island state park, September 27 at Utah Valley State college, October 9 regional championships at Uintah High School, and October 22 state championships at Sugar House Park. Jordan Higley, a new member of the Judge X-country team says,"I love running with my team mates and running every day because I enjoy it so much." The coach leading the Bulldogs to victory for her second year as head coach is Mattie Reed. Mattie Reed is the Dean of Freshman and also an English teacher. She is also the Head coach of Track and Field. Two years ago the head coach was Dan Quin. "The Judge X-country team is an excellent way to also stay fit for the next sport season and to meet new people." Jordan says.

JV girls cross country

Wednesday, October 3rd afternoon, I interviewed Camille Overmoe, a JV cross-country runner. Camille's favorite meet was the meet at UVSC (Utah Valley State College) in Orem, Utah - it was also her best meet. To train, she generally runs alone.

"I need motivation, so sometimes I run with my friends," she laughed.

Camille likes running to alternative music, so if you want to know why she's so bouncy with her iPod on, then that's why.

- by Heather Fisher

Freshmen help JV boys xc

Judge Memorial has a very talented varsity cross country team. Much of the cross country team's publicity is taken up by Luke Puskedra. Many people look at him and not the future of the team, the freshman. This year's freshman running group is filled with talented runners like Matt Kestle, Alex Baker, Zach Knettles, Matt Pell, Jackson Elizondo, Weston Firmage, Dan Goodman, and many others. This year has brought in one of the largest freshman running groups that the school has seen in a long time. Not only are they large, but they are fast and are closely connected. During races, the freshman have been steadily improving thanks to help from each other during practices and races. There are good things developing in the freshman and we can expect a stellar team in the near future.
- by Matt Pell

Cross Country kids get ready for region competition

The Cross Country boys and girls are gearing up for their Region 10 meet on Tuesday, October 9, 2007 at the Cottonwood Complex. All season, they have been in the top 3 teams in 3A. In their last meet, boys and girls JV took first in 1-3A, Varsity girls got second by one point behind Park City, and the Varsity boys got third.
Luke Puskedra has smashed the competion all year, winning every race and setting course records nearly everywhere he runs. He leads a very promising boys team which includes John Foye, Parker Mildenhall, Max Lamb, Chris Sayre and Frank Barrows. Dane Brodke and Matt Pell also run varsity and Peter Bryner is close behind.
Top girl Hailey Knettles has also been in the top five runners in nearly every race. She leads the girls with a strong team which include Lizzie Hindert, Lindsay Baker, Emma Welch, and Rosie Neville. Other Varsity runners include soccer and volleyball players, and runners who too run in the JV races, such as Jess Gaffney. New freshman, Alex Hallows, who also plays soccer, looks promising and will hopefully continue her fast times at Region.
Region should be a very exciting meet, because Park City and Judge have been neck and neck all year. Who will come out on top? Watch the region race to see, which is also a great preview for the State race on October 17.

- by Katie Harrington

X-Country quick off the starting line

The JM Cross Country team has been training all summer and looks readier then ever to take state with solid girls' and boys' teams. Both teams performed well at their first meet this past Saturday in American Fork. The main event of the meet was a relay with a boys' varsity relay team consisting of Parker Mildenhall, Max Lamb, Frank Barrows, Luke Puskedra, and John Foye and a girls team consisting of Lindsay Baker, Elli McMillan, Emma Welch, Lizzie Hindert and Hailey Knettles. The boys finished 4th in the meet and first among the 3A teams. The girls finished 9th in the meet and second among the 3A teams. Says head coach Mattie Reed, "What a great way to start our season!"

Judge Cross Country 2006

An end of year highlights video set to some excellent music.
By Dane Brodke

XC Photos

Check out some Cross Country photos from our Region meet:

XC Region Photos