(Photo: John Jost)
2. Christian Baker - Kirkwood - JR - Class 4: Kirkwood is a notoriously deep team and Christian Baker will be their top returner this season. Baker returns with a 16:09 - the 24th fastest time among all returners - but hasn't exactly come up big at the state meet just yet as he's been 74th and 87th in his two attempts so far. Still, getting through individually in District 2/Sectional 1 is no small feat. Combine that with his 4:30 1600 best on the track and Baker appears ready to make a jump in his 3rd year on the course. Bonus: Jacob Ewen battled Baker for the #1 spot last year and ran 9:53 this spring -- should be another to watch out of Kirkwood this season.