Season Stories: Reiny Barchet

Reiny Barchet had a fantastic junior campaign that left him with big PR’s such as 15:22 for 5k, 9:08 for 3200, along with an All-American title from a 21^st place finish at NXN, 2^nd place at NX Northeast Regionals, and a state medal… not to mention being a part of two All-American relays indoors. High expectations for his senior year in some ways could be an understatement, but so far he’s on the right track to accomplishing his goals.

Starting his season around the end of June, Barchet put in the miles he needed, but his season truly started in September when his team upped millage a little bit, from the summer. Going into the season, Barchet knew all too well the expectations of him and his team: “Ranked as high as 2nd in the nation on preseason polls we knew we wanted to seriously contend for a national title.” With such high expectations Coach Kelly pushed back the training program to help ensure a peak at nationals, but this didn’t dissuade Barchet or the Henderson boys from other goals, such as repeating as Ches-Mont, District, and State champions. 

Early in the season Barchet wasn’t racing very well, and some complications arouse, “I wasn't racing well but my training was the best it's ever been and after a few mediocre races I developed a sinus infection and possibly had Lyme disease so I went on a preventative course of antibiotics.” This caused a slight slowdown in training, but Barchet would not be discouraged, as he continued to work hard and got ready for Ches-Monts and Districts, where he and the Henderson squad raced without tapering. 

After decent finishes at both meets, Barchet knew he had more in him, but not enough to race with teammate Tony Russell, so a plan was made: “Knowing I wasn't in full form for states I talked to my coach and Tony and we decided I wouldn't try and contend for the individual title but instead try and lead the chase pack and place as high as I could while Tony hammered the pace up front leaving me to pick up the pieces.” The strategy paid off quite well as Barchet was able to finish 5^th overall, a big improvement from the season before. 

Looking on to the rest of the season, Barchet states: “Our plan for the rest of cross country is to train until regionals with one small meet we're hosting open to runners who want to race in the 4 week stretch between states and regionals. The end goal is the make nationals and place very competitively.” The way the season has gone for this squad so far, they are definitely on the right path to accomplishing their goals.

Not trying to get too far ahead of himself, Barchet reluctantly discussed passed cross country, saying that he, “would like to focus on the national stage and hopefully win some relays at indoor and/or outdoor nationals.”