By MIKE KEMMETER
Special to The Gazette
Chris Solinsky continues to bolster the argument that the Stevens Point Area Senior High senior is one of the best distance runners in Wisconsin high school history.
With a dominating performance last Saturday at the WIAA State Cross Country Meet in Wisconsin Rapids, Solinsky not only won his third-straight individual title, but he shattered his own record for the fastest time, covering the 5,000-meter course in 14:54.
"It's really a good way for him to go out," SPASH coach Donn Behnke said. "He came out chasing a time. We knew nobody could run with him. It was all about time for him."
That time beat his state record of 15:07, which he set at the 2001 meet. Before the SPASH senior came along, Tim Hacker of Menomonee Falls North held the fastest time, 15:15 in 1980.
Solinsky said he set out to break the 15-minute mark and was on pace at the two-mile mark. "He looked incredible," Behnke said. "He said his two-mile split was 9:25. My head is still spinning."
The going got tough at the end of the race, though, Solinsky said. "Going up that (final) hill, I was dead. I was thinking, 'I have to do this hill yet.' With the crowd and everyone being here, you feel all the energy."
With his closest challenger, Dustin Fier of Hudson about a minute behind him, Solinsky could've coasted in, but Behnke said that's not the type of runner Solinsky is.
"He could've come out here and won this thing and run a sloppy time," Behnke said, citing the lack of effort by Madison East's Gabe Jennings several years ago. "But he didn't because that's the challenge and that's the goal.
"He appreciates that, that the crowd responds to a good effort. People came to see him and he respects that."
Solinsky also holds the respect of Behnke, who said Solinsky is the best runner he's ever coached in SPASH's storied program. That includes three other state champions - Pete Skorseth (1978), Keith Hanson (1981) and Doug Milkowski (1989).
"He just sets himself apart. He's just faster than all of them," Behnke said.
"You watch him day in and day out in workouts, and it's astounding what he can accomplish. You have to have work ethic and dedication."
His hard work also put him in an exclusive state club. He's the fourth person to win three straight boys individual titles and the latest since 1989-91, when Madison Memorial's Phil Downs got the hat trick.
"It feels pretty good to be the fourth," Solinsky said, crediting Behnke and assistant Pat Leahy for his success. "It wasn't the first time, but it hasn't been done for a while. To go out and improve each year here, feels good."
While his teammates may be done for the season, Solinsky will continue to race, in hopes of competing at the national high school cross country race next month.
"This is the first week of the whole season that I've run under 60 miles. I wanted to come in here and get a good time under my belt," Solinsky said. "I know if I can do this by myself, I know I can do it with others."
Behnke said Solinsky's time on the challenging Ridges Golf Course was just two seconds slower than his third-place finish at the Foot Locker nationals last year, which was a flat course.
"He feels he really made a step forward. Now he's done the work that may allow him to chase the national championship in December," Behnke said
After that, Solinsky will start getting ready for the spring track season, where he'll challenge for more individual titles. He set the state record in the 3,200-meter run last year, at 8:58.
"He's a tremendous talent," Behnke said. "The best thing is he is just a great kid. It's time for him to move on. He's done everything he can at the high school level."