Thursday Conversation: The Road to State Edition

 

With less than a week to go before the 2009 State Cross Country Meet, Chris Ammen couldn’t fit this week’s conversation into one day.  In Part 2 of this week’s edition Chris talks to Brian Winckler of Humansville, Ryan Banta of Parkway Central and Jesse Griffin of Lee’s Summit West.

 

Brian Winckler - Humansville

What is your favorite memory of the state meet?

Well, I am still pretty much a “young pup” at this since I have only been at State a total of 5 or 6 times, but I would probably say my favorite memory from the State Cross Country Meet is from 1999 when Matt Tegenkamp set the course record. A feat like that being accomplished is enough for someone not to ever forget, but the best part was when he nearly caught the golf cart in front of him and the kid couldn’t believe he was right there. Matt just smiled and continued doing his thing but it was definitely a memory I will not soon forget.

Who will win in each class for boys and girls on Saturday in Jeff City and who are the sleeper teams and individuals?

I think most of the Classes are pretty clear-cut on the individual side this year with a few exceptions (Class 1 Girls, Class 2 Boys, and Class 3 Girls), in my opinion. I really wish we would get to see an “All-Star Race” so that we could see Hoover, Korolev, Thater, and Colon all go at it; however, I understand that this cannot happen. 

Class 1 Girls Individual- Mackenzie Weiss, Cass Midway.

Class 1 Girls Team- Cass Midway (But it is going to be CLOSE!! Penney is very well coached and always shows up at State)

Class 1 Boys Individual- Caleb Hoover, College Heights

Class 1 Boys Team- College Heights

Class 2 Girls Individual- Eileen Schwiess, Herculaneum

Class 2 Girls Team- Herculaneum

Class 2 Boys Individual- This could be going out on a limb… but I will say Will Shadwick from Fair Grove. (There was probably a collective- “WHO?” but wait til State, he will be in purple)

Class 2 Boys Team- Bowling Green

Class 3 Girls Individual- Olivia McCormick, West Plains

Class 3 Girls Team- Kearney (As hard as it is to ever go against Coach Dixon, I have to go with Kearney over West Plains, this time)

Class 3 Boys Individual- Maksim Korolev, Harrisonville

Class 3 Boys Team- West Plains

Class 4 Girls Individual- Emily Sisson, Parkway Central

Class 4 Girls Team- Lee’s Summit West

Class 4 Boys Individual- Danny Thater, Kickapoo

Class 4 Boys Team- Lee’s Summit North

In Class 3 Boys I would say Festus has a shot at taking down West Plains if they have a good day. They were very impressive at their Conference Meet (albeit on their own course), and they seem to have the potential to step up.

In Class 3 Girls I think this could be one of the best races of the day for the individual title. I am going with Olivia, but Jasmine Edwards of Kearney and Sierra Jenkins of Clinton should both be close by and could have a shot at it taking the title.

In Class 1 Boys I wouldn’t really call them a “sleeper” but West Platte could step up and take down College Heights.

I know Kevin Colon is a household name after last year, but I don’t see him as the “favorite” heading in this year so I’ll be watching him, as well. Finally, in Class 4 Girls I would say that Courtney Wood from Neosho is a “sleeper” I would keep my eyes on during that race. She has been very impressive in the races around here. 

What do you look forward to the most at the state meet?

I am most looking forward to seeing if I can have my first All-State Cross Country athlete this year. I also enjoy seeing other coaches and the opportunity to see the best competition in the State going at it, but to have one of my own on the stand for the first time in Cross would be priceless.

 

Ryan Banta – Parkway Central

What is your favorite memory of the state meet?

Without a doubt my favorite moment at the state meet to this point was watching Billy Bell run to the front and give everything he had trying to win the state championship. He got past just barely at the end as he literally climbed the last hill on his hands and feet. Now to many (probably even Billy) that was a sad day. But, I can say without a hesitation that Billy went to a place many runners are afriad to go. Running fast and winning championships is more about enduring pain then most mortals dare to attempt. Billy's heart and determination was magnificent. I will never forget Billy's senior year state championship as it was the bravest performance I have witnessed from a Central Athlete.

Who will win in each class for boys and girls on Saturday in Jeff City and who are the sleeper teams and individuals?

This is tough because Missouri has been blessed with some many great coaches across the state and gifted athletes. I would say the most dangerous teams are the ones that combined both. Obviously, Eureka girls on our side of the state has looked really tough. I am always amazed and jealous of Eureka as it seems they just go to some stable out there and pull these kids in as freshman. On the west side of the state it has to go to the sports academy of Lee Summit West. LSW are well coached and are defending state champs.

A Russian (Korolev) and a Christian (Hoover) will be the fastest of the day. Hope those two run at Footlocker! I would love to see them go at it! As for boys teams, you might see SLUH claim the state title but be chased closely by a super impressive Lee Summit North along with SLUH's B, C, D, E, F, G, etc. team Painted in Blue like a seen from Braveheart. Outside of the previously mentioned class battle West Plains is giving out butt whoopins and lolly pops. I heard their all out of lolly pops so........

Why is no one talking much about Courtney Wood!!! I mean wow she is winning every race she runs and is running FAST! Personally got to meet her this summer as the assistant coach of Team Missouri at the Great Southwest Meet and I was instantly impressed by her fire and desire to take on all comers. She has proven over the season that she is ready to do that very thing.

 As a team I am always a bit surprised why Ladue doesn't get the fan fare I would expect! I know the coaches and athletes on a personal level can tell you few teams have put in the work these kids did this summer to get ready to do something special at the 3a state championship. By far the Ladue girls are my darkhorse of the year. 

 

What do you look forward to the most at the state meet?

Certainly the most wonderful thing about XC is on an individual level the best athletes are typically in the meet. So on that day the state meet showcases the best the state of Missouri has in cross-country. In addition, there is certainly something magic about XC/track and its coaches. It is one of the few sports where I frequently see other coaches cheering on their competitors to break a pervious personal best or charging up the hill to secure the honor of All State. I believe that all coaches should have to coach XC or track to get that kind of perspective about what athletics is really about. Don't ever lose sight that we ultimately coach kids and most of our coaching has nothing to do with being a state champion. Instead its about teaching life lesson through sport so these kids can become better adults and citizens later on in life. Run hard, stay healthy, make goals, and live dreams!

 

Jesse Griffin – Lees Summit West

What is your favorite memory of the state meet?

My favorite memory from the state meet occurred when my Lady Cardinals, at Raytown South, won their first state championship in cross-country in 1999.  During that hot November state meet my number one girl Stephanie Nicoll was in 3rd place at the bottom of Firestation Hill and collapsed.  The rest of my girls picked up the pace and we won the meet despite very difficult circumstances.  Before I went to look at the result board I did not think we had a chance to even be in the top 6.  What a surprise that was for me!

Who do you think are some of the favorite teams and individuals on the guys and girls side this year and why?

For the boys in Class 1 Hoover from College Heights and in Class 3 Korolev from Harrisonville are definite favorites.  I am not sure in Class 2 if there is a definite favorite and the Class 4 boys race should be decided between Colon from Lee’s Summit West and Thater from Kickapoo.

 For the girls in Class 1, I like Weis from Cass-Midway and Class 2 Barzowski from Arcadia.  In Class 3 I am picking Kristen Brosnan from Staley and Class 4 the experience of Emily Sisson will be hard to match.

Although I do not follow all the results closely I will do my best at picking some of the favorite teams.

Girls

Class 1-Penney

Class 2-Herculaneum

Class 3-West Plains

Class 4-Lees Summit West

Boys

Class 1-College Heights

Class 2-Herculaneum

Class 3-West Plains

Class 4-Lees Summit North

I think on the boy’s side in Class 2, Bowing Green is primed for an upset.  On the girl’s side look for Class 1 Cass Midway and Class 3 Kearney to challenge for the upset as well.  Individually if Diane Robison is having a great day she could challenge for the top individual spot in Class 4 girls.

What do you look forward to the most at the state meet?

I am looking forward to watching Hoover and Korolev in Class 1 and 3 along with what I think may be one of the better races of the day between Thater and Colon in Class 4.  I am also really looking forward to watching my cousin Brent Collins from Hermitage try to step in and break up a great College Heights team in Class 1.  I also am really interested in seeing West Plains and Kearney girls go head to head.  Finally, I think the Lees Summit North boys pack will be exciting to watch in Class 4.

 

 

Thanks guys. There is more to come this week. Tomorrow we will hear from Greg Hipp, Yael T. Abouhalkah,  Jake Holt, and Jim Crowe.

Don’t forget to tune into the Big River Running Company’s State XC Preview show on prepcasts.com tonight where Ben & Matt will interviewing other coaches and making their own predictions.

Preview Show