There may be some debate to this, as far as who the best is. And I am certainly not being subjective just because this particular runner comes from the school I teach at. And I am certainly not being subjective, because I don't coach him. It'd be great if I did because then I'd really look like a great coach!
Sorry Centennial, but Basabose Bahati is the best distance runner not only in Las Vegas, but also the State of Nevada. And I suspect that by the end of the year, he will be the best to have ever run in the State of Nevada.
With all due respect to "Bulldog" nation, their "best" may very well be the best combo Track/Cross Country runner Nevada has ever seen. But all things considered: last year was the first year Bahati ran cross country. And it would be foolish to think that he has touched his potential.
He hasn't. In fact, he's now just realizing how easy it is for him to beat everyone. And very shortly, that's exactly what he will be doing.
The kid is humble. He came through adversity not many privileged Americans had to go through. He's tough as nails, and getting beat by an improbable leap at the end of 5k race by the reigning course record holder, and State Champion (in Cross Country, and for the 1600 in track) won't faze him.
And after talking with him, it hasn't.
During the interview (again, look for the full story on him this coming Friday in the Review-Journal) I told him he held the record for the 1600-mile run with a modest 4:21 which he ran last year during track (remember: our school has a 46-year history!). Sadly, the record books are buried somewhere with an athletic director who doesn't care about anything other than getting spanked in football. (Kidding!)
His response: "Oh geez, I'm glad [nobody knows]. I don't want any unnecessary attention," he said.
Soon he will be getting a lot of attention. And none of it will be unnecessary, I can assure you.
Sorry Centennial, but Basabose Bahati is the best distance runner not only in Las Vegas, but also the State of Nevada. And I suspect that by the end of the year, he will be the best to have ever run in the State of Nevada.
With all due respect to "Bulldog" nation, their "best" may very well be the best combo Track/Cross Country runner Nevada has ever seen. But all things considered: last year was the first year Bahati ran cross country. And it would be foolish to think that he has touched his potential.
He hasn't. In fact, he's now just realizing how easy it is for him to beat everyone. And very shortly, that's exactly what he will be doing.
The kid is humble. He came through adversity not many privileged Americans had to go through. He's tough as nails, and getting beat by an improbable leap at the end of 5k race by the reigning course record holder, and State Champion (in Cross Country, and for the 1600 in track) won't faze him.
And after talking with him, it hasn't.
During the interview (again, look for the full story on him this coming Friday in the Review-Journal) I told him he held the record for the 1600-mile run with a modest 4:21 which he ran last year during track (remember: our school has a 46-year history!). Sadly, the record books are buried somewhere with an athletic director who doesn't care about anything other than getting spanked in football. (Kidding!)
His response: "Oh geez, I'm glad [nobody knows]. I don't want any unnecessary attention," he said.
Soon he will be getting a lot of attention. And none of it will be unnecessary, I can assure you.
