9/23 Rim Rock Farm High School XC Classic Lawrence, KS
Rim Rock is the big meet on the western side of the state as many Kansas City and SWMO teams will travel across the border into Lawrence, KS for a 5K on the historic Rim Rock Farm course. You can see the division lists here. The usual Kansas City MO suspects will be in action, but the biggest story will be the head-to-head battle between Webb City's Ryan Riddle and Blue Springs's Victor Mugeche. This is a showdown that we have been waiting for since the beginning of the season and it should be a mid-season preview of the Class 4 State meet. So far, Mugeche seems to have the slight edge over Riddle, but we should know more about the state of the Class 4 individual race after the dust settles (appropriate) at Rim Rock Saturday. Lafayette will make the trip out as well and try to make a statement after a less-than-Lafayette performance at Forest Park. Liberty has been rolling around their perimeter, but how will they fare in Lawrence? Ryan Flood will be a prime candidate for a top-15 finish. Staley and Lee's Summit West will be ones to watch, as well.
On the girls side, Victoria Findley can really solidify the already consensus notion that she is the best female runner in Missouri right now with a victory on Saturday. The Blue Springs South senior has already put up big wins at Greg Wilson Classic and Forest Park this season. She was 2nd last year in an incredible 18:19. Her biggest test from Missouri will be Madelynn Hill who has been under 19:00 in both of her races this season, as well, and will look to turn some heads, and Miranda Dick of Raymore-Peculiar. With Elizabeth Stinson (Liberty North) and Tessa Valdivia (Blue Springs) challenging as well, this will be a stellar showdown between some of the top individuals in Kansas City and the state itself. Blue Springs appears to be the best team in the West right now, but they will receive challenges from Liberty North, Blue Springs South, and Raymore-Peculiar.