Boys
Chandler Gibbens (Hickman)
Last year was a breakout season for Gibbens. After placing 48th and 39th at State his first two seasons he made a massive climb to take 4th at State last year. He has the fastest returning time in Class 4 with a 15:43, and all three boys who beat him have since graduated. He saw success this year on the track too with a 4th place finish at State in the 3200m with a 9:32. He'll be a favorite to earn the individual title this season.
Harrison Brown (Lafayette-Wildwood)
Harrison is another member of the long line of great Lafayette runners in recent years. Last year he place 8th at State, and has the second fastest returning time with a 15:49. This past track season he had earned All-State honors with a third place finish the Class 5 3200m. Don't be shocked to see yet another Lancer running up front at State this year.
Tom Seitzer (Rockhurst)
Seitzer holds the third fastest returning time of 15:52, which placed him 5th at the State Meet last year. He followed up that All-State performance with another State Medal in track, as he placed 6th in the Class 5 3200 with a 9:36. Seitzer just got edged out by Gibbens last year, so he should still be in it as they head up the final hill towards the finish.
Christian Baker (Kirkwood)
Christian
is going to be one of my top breakout candidates this season. He has
never been All-State in XC, as he placed 74th, 87th, and 29th so far in
his career. However, Christian had a HUGE track season. He pulled off a
surprise victory in the 3200m at State with a 9:21, and placed 4th in
the 1600m with a 4:24. If he can keep up the momentum this Fall, I see
no reason why he can't compete for a State Title
Caleb Boys (West Plains)
Caleb had a break out season last year for the Zizzers. He went from 120th in 2015 and 171st in 2016 all the way to a 16th place finish last year. He also has the 4th fastest returning time in Class 4 with a 15:53. He didn't appear in the State Series during Track, but if he's healthy he should be right in the thick of things this year.
Clayton Whitehead (Carthage)
Whitehead also made a huge jump up the leaderboard last year. He went from a 116th place finish in 2016 to a 17th place finish last year. In track he earned All-State honors as well with his 7th place finish in the 3200m in Class 4 with a 9:27.
Wesley Porter (Rockhurst)
Wesley made his debut last year for Rockhurst and he had an excellent year. He put in an All-State performance last XC season with a 24th place finish. In that race he ran a season best 16:24 which was the 8th fastest time among sophomores. He also was the second sophomore to finish at State. In Track, he put together another All-State performance in the 1600m with a 5th place finish. He was the fastest sophomore in that event with a season best of 4:24. He also owns the third fastest 3200m from a sophomore last year in Class 5 with a 9:46. He should be able to build upon that success this year and battle near the front of the field.
Will Carroll (Lee's Summit West)
Carroll had a strong sophomore season for Titans. He has the fastest returning time among sophomores last year with a 16:12 he ran at Sectionals. He placed 49th at State and will like to climb into All-State contention this season. In Track he just missed out on a State Medal, placing 9th with a 4:26 which was 2nd among sophomores in Class 5.
Brady Bauder (Kickapoo)
As the top sophomore to finish last year at State (21st) its only natural Brady makes this list. His season best of 16:17 was third best among returning Juniors, and he'll look to try and break 16 this year. He didn't run track in the Spring, but if he's healthy and fit he should be near the front at State this year for the Chiefs.
Braden Zaner (Raymore-Peculiar)
Braden
placed 67th at State a year ago, but he looks primed to improve on that
finish this year. He holds a personal best of 16:20 from last year, and
he'll look to run that or better at the State Course next year. He had a
breakout season on the Track with a 5th place finish at State in the
Class 5 3200m with a time of 9:36. With a 3200m time like that, you have
to assume that he'll be up there with the leaders at State this Fall.