By Brian FeesValley Sports Report
CHENANGO VALLEY - For Thomas Hurd there wasn't a big, detailed plan on how he wanted to run his state race on Saturday.
The Tioga junior had one plan, go out, have fun, and run as hard as he could.
That's exactly what the Tioga standout did, finishing 58th out of 116 runners with a time of 18:42.7 in the Class D race.
"It felt good," Hurd said. "I didn't have a game plan, I didn't know who to run with, I tried to stay with Trumansburg, that worked for a little bit, then I was getting tired out."
Hurd had multiple runners from Trumansburg, the team that won the Section 4 title, behind him, including one who was one spot behind him.
"I was very happy, I beat some Trumansburg people, it was really fun," Hurd said.
The junior enjoyed the experience and is hoping that it leads to another trip next year.
"That's my way of thinking right there," he said of going out and having fun in the race. "It's fun, I'd like to do it next year, hopefully I'll make states again."
Tioga coach Jim Burrows wanted his runner to enjoy the experience, and race as hard as he can.
"Enjoy it, but don't leave anything on the course," Burrows said. "Give it your all."
For Hurd the whole experience was different than anything he's seen before.
"It was very different," he said. "It's my first time, I enjoyed it, it's a lot of fun, a lot of competition here. A little overwhelming for me, but it was great."
Burrows was happy with how his runner performed.
"He did a nice job," Burrows said. "His time was a little slower than last week, but still awesome to be here. I'm proud of him."
The Tioga coach knows that the younger runners can learn from Hurd.
"It's very exciting, and some of the younger guys are looking up and saying, look at that," he said. "We are looking forward to seeing what we can do next year."
Next year Hurd would like to get back to states, but he'd like to have some company.
"I am very excited to try and get the whole team to come next year," Hurd said.
On Saturday the weather wasn't perfect, but that didn't stop the Tioga junior.
"Today was a little wet, it threw me off a little bit, but I made it through," Hurd said. "Socks are going to be pretty wet, but that's not going to stop me."
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IN PHOTO: Tioga's Thomas Hurd. . . PHOTOS BY BRIAN FEES
