ATHLETES OF THE WEEK: MARK STONE

Mark Stone

School: Cape Central

Sport: Cross Country

Coach: Mark Hahn

Week Report: Stone took fourth place in the 17-team Carbondale Invitational with a time of 16:20 on the 3.1-mile course on Saturday. The school record at the Carbondale meet was 16:18. Earlier in the week, Stone took third in the Anna-Jonesboro Invitational with a time of 16:11.

Season Report: Stone has not missed a medal this year and has led the team in every race so far. He came in second in the Jackson Invitational. At the Northwest Invitational, he came in sixth. At the Cape meet, he was fourth and at the Hancock Invitational -- the biggest meet in Missouri outside of the state meet -- Stone finished 11th with a time of 17:07.

Coach's Comments: "That's the fastest boy I've had run in my eight years of coaching," Hahn said. "I try to analyze each kids' race and I couldn't find an area in Mark's race (on Saturday). The difference for him has been his hard work. In junior high track, he showed some ability to run long races and he's worked ever since. He runs in the winter and spring, all the time and that is what has made the difference. I would say he has a good chance to place all-state. One thing that stands out about him in practice is the repeat workouts. He's like a machine. He can hit that pace time again and again and again. I don't let him look at a watch either and that is a sign that he is highly conditioned."