It's time to discuss the junior boys to look out for as we prepare for the 2020 cross country season.
The standout returner out of this group of boys has to be Class 2 State Champion Daelen Ackley of El Dorado Springs. Ackley had nothing short of a spectacular sophomore campaign, that ended him running a personal best time of 15:39 in route to his state title at Gans Creek. That is the third fastest overall returning time in the state this year, and he will be a heavy favorite to for the Class 3 State Title and a possible to challenger to the 15:00 barrier.
Class 5 will also have a trio of sub 16 boys looking to earn state medals this Fall. Corbin Cera (Central - St. Joseph) is the top junior returner and was 26th in Class 4 last year with a time of 15:58. Thomas Roehl (Jefferson City) finished just a tenth of a second behind him in 27th with a 15:58 as well. Ethan Lee (Liberty North) was the final junior sub 16 at the state meet, and placed 29th with a 15:59. All three of these boys will look to make their jump to the top of Class 5 and compete for top 10 finishes this year.