Following 18th-place finish at CHAMPS Sports national cross country final in San Diego and experience racing at New Balance Nationals Indoor in Boston, Morgenfeld primed to conclude his California prep career in memorable fashion

By Cate Peters for DyeStat

Grant Morgenfeld had a breakthrough junior year with some stunning back-to-back performances.

The distance running standout at Palo Alto High in California placed 15th in the Doug Speck boys sweepstakes race at the Woodbridge Cross Country Classic, then doubled back to win the Nike De La Salle Invitational the next day.

In April, he won the Stanford Invitational 1,600 meters in 4:11.88 and showed up the following weekend to run a personal-best 8:49.21 in a deep invitational boys 3,200-meter field at the 55th Arcadia Invitational.

Morgenfeld will only have to focus on one challenge this Saturday in his return to Orange County Great Park in Irvine, Calif., to compete again in the boys sweepstakes at the 42nd Woodbridge Cross Country Classic presented by ASICS America, looking to improve on his 14:13 effort on the 3-mile layout last season.

Throughout his junior season, Morgenfeld not only showed that he deserves to be in the national spotlight, but that he’s not afraid to put in the work to improve. 

“From a coaching perspective, he’s the type of athlete you hope for — that will come out, do the work, do what’s asked of him, stay the course, (trust) the process,” said Michael Davidson, head coach of Palo Alto High School’s track and cross country programs. 

Morgenfeld, who started focusing on running during his freshman year, has been putting in the work day in and day out ever since, and is starting to see the commitment and dedication produce significant results. 

“When Grant first showed up on the scene we knew he had some potential but he had an… injury freshman year” Davidson said.

However, the injury didn’t stop Morgenfeld from striving to be a contributor on the team. Davidson is proud “watching the discipline (Morgenfeld) put in year after year.” 

Morgenfeld got the chance to shine in the national spotlight last year, and proved that when racing at big meets, he is able to keep motivated, despite earlier setbacks.

“The last four years I’ve just been focusing on getting better, setting goals… and slowly building up,” Morgenfeld said. “Now, I’m at this point where I can compete against some of the best in the country.” 

During his junior cross country session, Morgenfeld put down impressive times at Woodbridge and again at the ASICS Clovis Cross Country Invitational, running 15:15.8 on the 5-kilometer layout at Woodward Park in Fresno, placing ninth in the boys championship race.

Going into the California State Cross Country Championships, Morgenfeld was feeling good. But he finished 18th in the Division 2 final in 15:36.0 at Woodward Park. 

“At that state meet, for whatever reason, it just wasn’t my day and I didn’t do as well there,” Morgenfeld said.

However, Morgenfeld didn’t let that race get him down. A week later, he turned around and competed at the CHAMPS Sports Cross Country West Regional Championships at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, Calif., finishing third on the 5-kilometer course in 15:30.0.

Morgenfeld finished 18th at the CHAMPS Sports Cross Country Championships, concluding his season by running 15:28.9 on the 5-kilometer layout at Balboa Park’s Morley Field in San Diego.

“I was really motivated going into the CHAMPS regional,” Morgenfeld said. “I was super grateful to be at the national meet there… it's a really special experience with 40 people from across the country.” 

Morgenfeld started off his junior track season by winning the 3,000 in 8:32.30 and placing second in the 1,500 in 3:55.56 at the California Winter Outdoor Championships at Arcadia, in addition to competing in the mile and 2-mile at New Balance Indoor Nationals in Boston, achieving top-20 finishes in both events.

“I was excited for him to be able to… race indoors,” said Davidson, who recognizes that there are limited opportunities for track athletes in California to compete indoors. 

“There’s no question that Grant has got the talent and abilities to compete at the next level and being able to compete in both indoors and outdoors gives (him) perspective and experience… and puts more arrows in his quiver.” 

Armed with more experience, Morgenfeld started the outdoor track season strong with his victory at Stanford and an exceptional effort at Arcadia, where he was one of 23 athletes to produce a sub-9 effort in the invitational 3,200.

Not being at the front of the race at Arcadia was a new feeling for Morgenfeld.

“When I’m right in the middle of the pack and on pace for a PR, that’s a different experience,” he said. 

Davidson was glad Morgenfeld got to experience unique racing environments during his junior season.

“Different races are going to take on a life of their own and you have to learn to race to the situation,” Davidson said. “The more exposure (Morgenfeld) has to the different experiences and different levels, the more experience he has as he comes back this year in how to race.” 

Morgenfeld dealt with an injury towards the end of his junior season and failed to qualify for the CIF State Championships. However, he overcame this injury in stride, and is excited to see what the future holds for his senior year. 

His summer training consisted of mostly elliptical, biking, and swimming.

“Not having the ability to (run) and finding ways around it (was rough),” Morgenfeld said. “When things are tough, (I) just remember it’s always better to be running. 

“This season, at least at the beginning, the goal is to stay healthy and stay consistent… by the end of the season, I’ll be fit and ready to go.”

Davidson said that the training at Palo Alto High focuses on the end goal: the championship races at the end of the season in November and December.

“Our strategies throughout the season are geared around (the final races),” Davidson said.

Morgenfeld doesn’t shy away from the prospect of a competitive field, and he will be faced with his first of the season Saturday night at Woodbridge in a sweepstakes race featuring elite athletes from California and nine other states.  

Morgenfeld is looking forward to “getting back up to peak fitness, to racing in those big races but also…looking forward to racing with the team.”

“When I train well and put in the work, I can be confident that I can run at that level,” Morgenfeld said. “Taking the knowledge that I can run with the top guys in the country when I’m fit, I just need to remember that and be confident in what I can do.”

Morgenfeld is motivated to keep improving this season and looks forward to seeing what he can do as he continues to challenge himself on the national stage.

“I don’t think he has really tapped his full potential,” Davidson said. “There’s a lot more in the tank that he’s got.”