Despite the very unique circumstances of this season, athletes and teams have still been able to run some incredible performances so far in the 2020 cross country season. We are going to take a look at those top performers today in Class 5.
Girls
Carolyn Ford (Rock Bridge) has laid to rest any thoughts of a sophomore slump, and well on her way to a historic season. She has won every race she's been in so far this season, and in a rather dominate fashion. This weekend she ran on a fast course at Camdenton, and got the opportunity to show what she is capable of. She won the race with a time of 17:52, which is the 22nd fastest time in State history. It'll be exciting to see what more she can do over the final month of the season.
In St. Louis another sophomore is having a stellar start to her delayed season. Julia Ray (MICDS) spent a lot of the first month of the season wondering if she would even be racing, but since she's started it's been nothing but success for her. She has three wins and three sub 18:40 times to her name, including an 18:27 which is the second fastest time in Class 5.
Mya Trober (Blue Springs South) has also had a great start to her season. Despite not having raced in a waveless meet yet, she's still managed to run a top five time of 18:42. She's won two of her four races, with her two losses being second place finishes to Carolyn Ford. Last season she got incredibly stronger as the season went on, and I imagine she'll run even faster with more competition in the upcoming postseason meets.
A few more girls who have a great starts to their 2020 campaigns include Alicen Ashley (Nixa) and Klarie Brown (Kickapoo) who have both ran 18:42 respectively, along with Grace Tyson (Lafayette - Wildwood) at 18:46.
Boys
Rock Bridge looked good on paper before the season started, but I don't think anyone thought they would be this good. With their entire top five currently sitting in the top 35 runners in Class 5, this team looks historic. They are led by Matthew Hauser who currently sits as the number one runner in the state with his 15:12 from his win at Camdenton this weekend, and sits at the 21st fastest time in state history. He's followed by Ian Kemey at 15:39 who currently sits fourth in the state, his brother Andrew Hauser who is sixth at 15:40, Weston Jokerst at 16:09 who is 22nd, and Ethan Wampler at 35th with a 16:24.
Brock Wooderson (Blue Springs) is also having a fantastic start to his season. His 15:23 from the Lee's Summit North Invitational currently stands as the second fastest time in the state. He's gotten some big wins under his belt, and will look to keep building and getting faster as we make the turn for the postseason.
Tyler Harris (Kickapoo) made a huge leap over the weekend at Camdenton. He went from a lifetime best of 16:03 to running 15:36 which is currently the third fastest time in Class 5. Not bad considering he's only a sophomore. He and his Kickapoo look well positioned for a strong postseason.
A few other boys who have had great starts to their seasons include Nick Cimmarusti (Francis Howell) who has ran 15:39, Trevor Peimann (Timberland) at 15:46, and Luke Voelker (Raymore-Peculiar) at 15:52.