Boys
The Chase Pack
Kip Atteberry - Thomas Jefferson Independent
Kip Atteberry is returning for the 2022 state meet after finishing 4th last year. He's heading into this year's meet with four straight victories on his ledger - Wheaton, Diamond, the Ozark 7 Conference, and District 2. His 16:40.40 personal best has him among the biggest challengers for the runner-up spot on Saturday. Keep an eye on Atteberry as he looks to turn heads in his final high school race.
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Colton Ellingsworth enters his final high school race with a shot at dropping his Galena school record even further. It's his final chance to pick up an XC all-state medal after finishing 32nd last season and he's in the driver's seat to make it happen. Ellingsworth enters with a 16:43.65 personal best en route to victory at the School of the Ozarks. He's also picked up a win at the SWCL Conference and a runner-up finish in District 2. Ellingsworth is a front-runner and should be a safe bet to secure a top 10 spot this weekend.
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Ronan Hardwicke has posted two big wins this season and a big personal best. He ran away from the field at the Forest Park Festival, taking the White Division decisively. Last Saturday, he was the winner in District 1 over several solid competitors in a new personal best of 16:40.40. Hardwicke is peaking at the right time and should be ready to roll on Saturday.
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Caleb Ricker is a key lowstick on a Van Buren squad hoping to climb into the top 4 after a 5th place finish last year. Ricker enters this year's finale with several key victories to his name - Winona, Steve Waggoner, Alton, Ellington, and the Big Spring Conference - and owns a personal best of 16:47.50. Last Saturday, he finished as the runner-up in District 1, right behind Ronan Hardwicke. Look for Ricker to challenge for a top 5 finish this Saturday afternoon.
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Right behind his teammate heading into the weekend is Van Buren's Jaxson Houf. Houf was 64th last season, but profiles as a top 10 runner this time around. He enters the state meet with a 16:49.70 best, which came in a runner-up finish at the Big Spring Conference meet. Houf will need to move into the top 10 to secure a runner-up spot as a team.