(Photo: James Schultz)
2. Max McDaniel - Festus - JR: Arguably one of the top 5 best runners in the state, Max McDaniel is blocked at the moment, but he will still probably give our #1 a run for his money after what he did on the track this spring. McDaniel returns with a 15:36 PR and was 4th in 2016 at state. His start at 2016 state would not have lent you to believe he would've finished 4th as the rising junior started out in 26th at the mile mark, moving up to 6th by the 2 mile, and then rolled up two more before the line. McDaniel was also a member of the fastest 3200 in state history as he ran 9:15 for 6th. After back-to-back 4ths for the Festus star, it looks like it's about time for him to move up and make a run at a title. But it won't be easy...