Notre Dame claims program's first crown

~ Seniors Pfau and Kanneberg bowed out with top-10 finishes for the Bulldogs.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Notre Dame cross country coach Bill Davis said prior to Saturday's boys Class 2 state meet at the Oak Hills Golf Center that he had the same feeling entering this year's meet as he did the two years he coached Kelly to state titles.

Davis obviously had his team believing, as the Bulldogs captured the program's first state title in a landslide. Notre Dame finished with 66 points, followed by defending state champion Priory with 102. Ste. Genevieve was third with 125 and Bowling Green was fourth with 139.

Notre Dame matched Davis' goal of five runners in the top 50 and was able to put four runners in the top 25.

Davis said he had a plan for this team, and they bought into it.

"I asked Matt [Pfau] last night what he thought we could do and he said five in the top 40," Davis said. "We just about did that. Four runners in the top 25, technically I dreamed we could do that. I knew we could put three but to get four, that's outstanding."

Pfau, who along with fellow senior Greg Kanneberg has been a part of three straight top-four finishes for the Bulldogs, said he truly felt they could win.

"I knew with the talent we have, we could put four in the top 25, and if we did that we could win," he said. "We just wanted it really bad."

Davis had nearly every minute of the Bulldogs' trip to Jefferson City planned out before they came and may have seen some signs of Saturday's outcome during the team's preparation on Friday.

"We came up yesterday and had a really good workout, probably the best workout I've experienced with a group up here," Davis said.

Once the race started, Notre Dame's runners exceeded Davis' plans.

Running in his final race, Pfau saved his best for last by leading the Bulldogs with a fourth-place finish in 17:18. Sean Swapp of Herculaneum finished first.

For Pfau, Saturday's race offered a bit of redemption after finishing 54th last year while fighting a nagging injury.

"I was hurt all last year, it was kind of disappointing," Pfau said. "I was just looking to finish top 20, so fourth is great."

Kanneberg was not far from his classmate. Kanneberg finished eighth in 17:25. This was the second straight all-state performance for Kanneberg, who finished 23rd last year.

"I ran pretty much exactly where I was hoping to finish, in the top 10," Kanneberg said. "You just have to set a target on somebody and stick with them."

Following closely behind the Bulldogs' elder statesmen were Notre Dame's trio of underclassmen. Logan Davis, a freshman and the coach's son, came in 15th.

"I'm satisfied," Logan Davis said, "and hoping I can come back the rest of my high school career and eventually win."

Neil Kanneberg, a sophomore and younger brother of Greg, finished 22nd. This was his first time running at the state meet.

"My goal was to make all-state," Neil Kanneberg said. "I knew I was right near 20th for most of the race. I just really had to keep going because five people could pass me really easily."

Dillon Klaffer, another freshman, rounded out Notre Dame's top five in 47th. Jonathan Ramsey, a junior, was 57th, and sophomore Richie Bohn finished 138th.

Greg Kanneberg said the program looks to be in capable hands for a run at another state title.

"We've got those fast young'uns that are going to come back and do really good," he said. "They'll probably beat all the records me and Matt set."

With five of seven state runners coming back, thoughts of a repeat state title seem realistic for the Bulldogs. In the past two years, Notre Dame has had to replace multiple seniors, only to reload and return to Jefferson City.

"We plan on coming back next year, no doubt," Bill Davis said. "We have five runners back. We lose two great seniors, but I know we can reload."

While the race was satisfying for the Bulldogs, it was also somewhat bitter-sweet for Pfau and Kanneberg, who had helped build the program into a state power.

"It's also sad because it's my last cross country meet, but it's a good way to end it," Greg Kanneberg said. "I got back to the tent and was thinking about all the years I'd run, but I guess it can't get any better than this."

Notre Dame finishers -- 4. Matt Pfau 17:18, 8. Greg Kanneberg 17:25, 15. Logan Davis 17:36, 22. Neil Kanneberg 17:50, 47. Dillon Klaffer 18:25, 57. Jonathan Ramsey 18:36, 138. Richie Bohn 19:56