Class 3 Boys Qualifying Teams
Class 3 Boys Looks to Be INSANE
This quest for the individual title in Class 3 could turn out in so many different ways, its nearly driven me to total insanity trying to make my picks for this race. I think there are 8 Boys who I think realistically have a shot at bringing down the team title. Here is the list in order by season bests: Blake Morris (15:47), Max McDaniel (15:48), Caleb Pyle (15:52), Carson Sanders (15:54), Jonathon Coffman (16:02), Jack Crull (16:05), Michael Rebello (16:11), and Brandon Miller (16:20). I'm going to start this off by saying I'm picking last year's Runner Up Max McDaniel to win it. He just recently beat Blake Morris at Districts and has look strong the last few weeks. He also has a 7th place finish at the very competitive Chile Pepper Cross Country Festival to his name. I think Morris will be the a close second as, he has been very consistent this year running 16:01 three times to go along with that season best of 15:47. For third place I may have made this pick with track colored glasses, as I'm picking Brandon Miller. I just think he's too talented to fall out of it, and his 16:20 last weekend I think is the first glimpse of what he can do at the longer distance. I think he'll be followed by Carson Sanders and Jack Crull for 4th and 5th. But like I said earlier this race could really turn out in a number of different ways.
Festus Boys Go For the 5-Peat
The Festus Boys, led by Max McDaniel, will go for their 5th consecutive State Championship on Saturday. It's been a remarkable run for them and I don't think it will end this year. I have all 5 runners in the top 15 in the virtual meet (excludes individual qualifiers) and all 7 in the top 30. I honestly don't see anyone challenging them. Bolivar I think will be in second, but I think they'll be closer to third and forth than they are to Festus. East Newton is my pick for third just narrowly over Smithville for 4th and Clayton in 5th. 2-5 though could also be one of those that goes a number of different ways because its so close.
For Full Class 3 Boys Rankings and Team Scores Click Here.