Congrats to Nathan!

Official Men's Land Member (by genetic extension) Nathan Karr rocked the running world on Saturday, November 1, 2008 at the MHSAA State XC Meet in Brooklyn, Michigan. Using his "killer instinct" (Karr, C, 1984 - present), Nathan rocketed to fifth place to lead his team to the state title and to all-state runner status. Congrats, Nate!

From the A2 News:
BROOKLYN - For both junior Nathan Karr and the entire Pioneer High School boys cross country team, the Division 1 state cross country championships meant the same thing: A chance at redemption.

The team's seventh runner a year ago, Karr was sick for the finals and struggled to 192nd place.

As a team, the Pioneers came to Michigan International Speedway fresh off an impressive regional victory over Saline, but ran poorly and stumbled to fourth place.

On Saturday, both found vindication as Karr finished in a personal-best time of 15 minutes, 34.8 seconds to place eighth overall and lead Pioneer to its first state championship in the sport for the boys since 1994.

"I felt there was still something for me to do to contribute to the team, because last year I wasn't able to," Karr said. "I think I've redeemed myself this year."

From the Detroit News:
Pioneer wins fifth championship

Justin Souva / Special to The Detroit News

BROOKLYN, Mich. -- Ann Arbor Pioneer won the boys Division 1 cross country championship Saturday, and coach Don Sleeman knew right where to put the credit: on his team's depth.

Juniors Nathan Karr finished fifth (15:34.8), Nick Kern 16th (15:46.2) and Adam Kern 25th (15:55.3), and seniors Dan Culbertson was sixth (15:35.8) and David Wallington 30th (16:05.0) on Saturday at Michigan International Speedway.

From the Detroit Free Press:

NO. 1 MOTIVATION: Nathan Karr finished as Ann Arbor Pioneer's top runner, placing eighth at states. Dan Culbertson (ninth place) also was the No. 1 runner at one point. So was Nick Kern (20th) and Adam Kern (29th).

"On any given day, we change positions," coach Don Sleeman said. "Everyone wanted to be No. 1, and they all have the ability to be No. 1."

The mentality helped the team earn the No. 1 finish at the Division 1 finals.

"The team dynamic is so solid," Culbertson said. "Every day, we always run together. We always trained together. We always pushed each other."

Said Karr: "We don't have a pecking order. We're able to work together and get stronger as a pack."

Here are the results as posted on the MHSAA website:

                          MHSAA LP CROSS COUNTRY FINALS
                    MICHIGAN INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
             BROOKLYN, MICHIGAN, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2008
                         TEAM RESULTS - D1 BOYS


1.    82  Ann Arbor Pioneer                     (15:47.5  78:57.1)
====================================================
1      5  Nathan Karr           11 15:34.8
2      6  Dan Culbertson        12 15:35.8
3     16  Nick Kern             11 15:46.2
4     25  Adam Kern             11 15:55.3
5     30  David Wallington      12 16:05.0
6   ( 57) Andres Sanz-Guerrero  11 16:26.9
7   ( 65) Joe Frakes            11 16:30.6