Farmington

Farmington boys C.C. has chance to claim 10th straight city title

By Mike Moore
C & G Sports Writer

» click to enlarge « Photo by Andrew Potter Farmington runners Drew Lindman, left, and Jenny Rogers are pictured during a Sept. 18 practice. The teams will take part in the city championship Oct. 1. The Farmington boys are seeking their 10th consecutive title. Photo by Andrew Potter Farmington runners Drew Lindman, left, and Jenny Rogers are pictured during a Sept. 18 practice. The teams will take part in the city championship Oct. 1. The Farmington boys are seeking their 10th consecutive title.

FARMINGTON — A dynasty isn’t formed by winning a single event year in and year out, but the Farmington High boys cross country team has some fond memories and some serious pride going for it right now.

In fact, it’s what the Falcons have had for nine years when it comes to the annual city championship.

And on Oct. 1, the guys can officially make it a decade of dominance over their city rivals.

“It’d be pretty awesome to get 10 in a row,” senior Drew Lindman said last week. “I mean, the city meet isn’t the only goal on the season, but it’s something we certainly focus on. It’s something we really want.”

The dominance started in 2003. Since then, the Falcons have hardly looked back at Farmington Hills Harrison or North Farmington.

“I’m not sure if there’s really a secret to it,” coach Charlie Stamboulian said with a laugh. “Let’s be honest, we’ve been blessed with a lot of talent here. Over the years, we’ve lost some great seniors, and then had new kids step into their positions and seen those teams get even better.”

Yet getting better was what Stamboulian used as a caution to anyone looking to hand Farmington the 10th title before the starting gun goes off next week.

“The history, or what we’ve done in the past, doesn’t affect this race at all,” he said. “If anything, this will probably be the toughest year yet. Harrison has gotten considerably stronger, as has North Farmington. Both programs have had coaches there for a while who’ve really done a lot for their teams.”

“It’s going to be very competitive; there’s no doubt about it,” junior Brian Hanley said. “Those teams have definitely gotten better and closed the gap. So there’s no guarantee this is ours.”

The race takes place at Oakland Community College and begins at 4 p.m. It will feature all three girls teams, as well.

And while Lindman alluded to bigger goals as the season progresses — namely team and individual regionals, where he was able to advance to the state finals as a junior — being the first team in 10 years to let the streak slip away isn’t something he’s planning on doing.

“We don’t want to be that team,” he said with a laugh. “We might as well keep this going.”

“A decade would be pretty cool,” Hanley said smiling. “A lot of teams have won this before us, so we’re going to do everything we can to keep it going.”

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Mike Moore at mmoore@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1038. Follow Mike on Twitter.