Andy factor in Maplewood's favor

The Rockets, in Division III, are a heavy favorite to win their fifth state title.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
At the midway point of last week's Division III boys regional race, Maplewood High juniors Andy Morgan and Andy Arnio rounded a corner, side-by-side, chatting to each other while the rest of the field struggled to keep up.
They've spent hundreds of miles together, learning each other's tendencies (Morgan is more likely to talk during races), learning when each person wants to make a move and, above all, making each other better during the race.
"We take turns breaking each other's wind," said Morgan.
Uh, OK. Is that why no one was behind you?
"OK, we take turns drafting each other," he said, laughing.
Arnio and Morgan finished 1-2 as the Rockets cruised to the team title last Saturday. Maplewood is a heavy favorite to win its fifth state title at Saturday's state meet and Morgan and Arnio are two big reasons why.
"They're the two most talented guys I've ever coached," said Rockets coach Ted Rupe, who has coached three state championship teams and been a member of another. "They're the best thing for each other. I think sometimes they take it for granted that they have someone like that on the same team.
"They don't know how hard it is to do things by yourself."
Missed 2004 season
Neither runner is a stranger to the big stage. At the 2003 state cross country meet, Arnio finished a stunning third overall and Morgan was 24th as the Rockets won by a record margin. Both players missed last year's cross country season because of a rules violation but were back for track season. Arnio won a state title in the 3200-meter run last June and Morgan took third in the 1600.
"People say, 'You have the best runner in the state,' " Rupe said. "But sometimes [Arnio's] not even the best runner on the team.
"It's a nice situation."
Morgan hasn't been at full strength the past few weeks, struggling with a calf injury. He missed the district race -- Arnio won that race, too -- but felt good enough last Saturday to gut it out.
Arnio wasn't at full strength last Saturday either, a combination of a head cold and a cramp. ("I'm never eating a bagel before a race again," he said.) But even at less than 100 percent, their talent, combined with the Rockets' depth, overwhelmed some of the state's top teams.
"Our four through seven guys are pretty deep so if one guy has a bad race, someone else can step up," Arnio said. "That's the reason we're doing as good as we are this year."
Rupe x two
Over the past seven years, Maplewood and McDonald have been the most dominant cross country teams in the division. It's not a coincidence that both are led by Rupes. Rupe's brother, Chris, coaches at McDonald.
"We've got so much confidence in [Ted] Rupe," Morgan said. "We trust in the program so much. Even if he asks us to do something crazy, we do it anyway, even if we don't know what we're doing."
That trust has paid off. Arnio has been mentioned as one of the favorites for the individual state title, although he's done his best to deflect the attention.
"I'd just like to get in the top five," Arnio said. "As long as the team wins, I'll be happy. Our main goal is to win a state championship."
Does that mean you won't be looking at the top times around the state to see where you stack up?
"Well yeah, but ..." he said, laughing, "I just want to compete."
scalzo@vindy.com