Now that a large class of quality cross country runners has cleared out after last spring’s graduation, Evan Appel stands out more than ever.
The Dakota Ridge junior is the top returning runner after finishing third amid a crush of upperclassmen last season at the Class 5A state championship meet. With a stellar summer of training behind him, Appel understands a huge opportunity awaits.
“I’ve seen a lot of improvement over the summer,” Appel said. “This could be the year.”
It certainly could be, but it is a good thing Appel is humble. He’s not the only Dakota Ridge runner in the spotlight, which is just fine with him.
The Dakota Ridge girls cross country team is a heavy favorite to win the 5A team title – a feat the boys’ squad accomplished in 2006 – thanks in large part to the return of sisters Alexa and Natosha Rogers, top-10 finishers last season. Add transfer Kaitie Vanatta, a two-time 4A state champion at Ralston Valley, and the Eagles girls look nearly unstoppable.
If it’s not enough that Appel’s teammates are elbowing into the limelight, consider what his own flesh and blood is planning.
“Evan’s brother, Austin, is a freshman this year,” Dakota Ridge coach Mike Callor said. “Austin’s goal is to take all of his brother’s freshman records down.”
That doesn’t mean, however, that there’s no brotherly love in the Appel household. Just the opposite.
“It’s not, ‘Hey, I’m going to crush my brother’s times.’ It’s more drive, more of a motivational thing,” Evan said about Austin’s plans. “He’s my favorite person to run with, whether it’s at practice or at home.”
Evan’s state meet time of 16 minutes, 5.55 seconds in the 5-kilometer race last season is notable because of his third-place finish. More impressive is that he has burned off nearly a minute and is trying to break the 15-minute barrier. A goal, he said, would be to hit near 14:50.
“He had the best summer in his history of high school, and he’s as fit as he has ever been,” said Callor, who coaches the boys and girls teams. “He wants to run under 15 minutes … and a state title is in his sights as well. I would say he is the favorite. He is abundantly talented and has been working really hard.”
Evan’s rise to the elite hit a high note at the 2006 Foot Locker Midwest Regional Championships last November in Kenosha, Wis. There, Evan surprised himself by placing fifth and qualifying for the national meet.
Evan has developed a disciplined routine to continue on his path to “run as long as the sport lets me.” And that pays dividends to his rival/brother.
“Evan has the experience with running and training,” Austin said. “If I have a day when I don’t feel like running and I’ll ask, ‘Do I have to?’ – his answer is always the same: ‘Yes.”‘
Motivation is one thing. Austin also benefits from other routines his brother has established.
“Austin has the advantage of seeing two years in advance what his brother is doing,” said Scott Appel, the boys’ father. “He sees the training involved, what to eat, when to go to bed.”
Evan’s disciplined regimen has not gone unnoticed among his teammates.
“He sets the bar,” Callor said. “He is definitely somebody that the rest of the guys look up to. The girls do, too.”
