Sophomore Showdown
CO-IL-IN-IA-KS-MI-MN-MO-NE-ND-OH-SD-WI-Overseas Military
For the past few years the Midwest has shown its dominance in Footlocker by producing greats such as Chris Derrick, Mike Fout, and Hassan Mead. The Midwest is looking stronger than ever this year with a loaded class that has the talent of the National Class of 2008 (Derrick, Lowe, Puskedra) or the National Class of 2000 (Ritz, Webb, Hall). This year the Midwest shows off its young talent in the power of two all-stars.
This year two sophomores have stolen the spotlight. National Caliber stars Futsum Zeinasellassie (Milesplit ranked #4) and Lukas Verzibcas (#2) have never race each other. With such talent, the frigid Kenosha, Wisconsin, could provide a battleground of the ages.
(photo credit: Don Rich)
Futsum Zeinasellassie (Ranked #4), Indiana stud sophomore, has gone undefeated since loosing to the talented Nike Midwest Regional Champ, Zach Wills (Ranked #2) in the beginning of the season. Zach Wills will not be running to focus on NXN. Last year as a freshman Futsum placed an incredible 7th place at Footlocker Nationals.
(photo credit:Derek Veilleux)
The biggest task Futsum will have will be taking down the 2nd ranked Lukas Verzibcas, also a sophomore. Verzibcas set the Indoor 5000m record as a freshman, but focused on his triathlon competition. This year he has shifted his focus to cross country and has seen dominance. He ran a 14:07 to win the Illinois State 3 mile. He has blown fields away regularly by over a minute and is ready for the top-notch field Saturday.
Missouri
Futsum and Lukas will not be alone, however. Maksim Korolev (above, photo credit: Paul Everett), an undefeated senior from the Kansas City area of Missouri will try to become the first male to qualify from Missouri since Joshua Harper in 2002. Korolev won Class 3 (3 of 4) by 50 seconds, and Kansas University’s Rim Rock Classic by almost 20 seconds. Korolev has posted some blazing times on some of the toughest courses in Missouri.
Illinois
With the York Boys holding back for NXN, Aaron Beattie is another face from Illinois that will be in the mix for a ticket to California. Beattie finished 8th at Nike Regionals and 4th at Illinois State Championships.
Martin Grady also qualified individually so Illinois seems to have sent their power outside of Verzibcas to Portland.
Indiana
Futsum will have his state competitor, David Osborn, a senior who finished 4th at Indiana State Championships, but came back and finished a strong third at Nike Midwest Regional. Another comptetive senior from Indiana is Tyler Byrne. Despite finishing 5th at his state meet, he finished 2nd, only 7 seconds behind #2 Zach Wills, at Nike Midwest.
Colorado
Last year the Mountian State shipped 4 runners to San Diego led by Joseph Manilafasha who finished 2nd at Footlocker Regionals and Evan Appel who finished 6th at Nationals. Despite not having the super talent of last year, Colorado favorites include Scott Fauble, Walter Schafer, and Ryan Poland, to name a few. Fauble, a senior from Wheat Ridge High School posted the best time from his state competition and posts a personal best of 15:22. Schafer, a senior who ran 9:05 3200m as a junior, finished 1st at his state meet with the 3rd fastest time of the day. Ryan Poland had the 2nd best time for the day but does not have the stats Schafer does. With a good day, coming down from altitude, any of these could post a great time and possibly qualify for Footlocker Nationals.
Kansas
Roy Wedge (pictured above, photo credit: Paul Everett) looks to be the favorite from Kansas. He won his state meet by about 25 seconds and has not lost since falling to Maksim Korolev at the Rim Rock Classic. Andrew Stevens who finished second at Kansas State Championships qualifed for NXN and could sit out on Saturdays action.
Wisconsin
The host state qualified two top competitors for NXN last week but could still throw some in the top pack on Saturday. State Champ Marcus Paulson and 3rd place finisher Jake Erschen qualified but Gabe Heck, the state runner - up looks to be the state's top competitor. Other possible names from Wisconsin include John Luterbuch and Peter Drews who finished 1-2 in Division 2 and Garret Kerska, a senior from Sauk Prarie who finished 4th at in Division 1.
Ohio
With Zach Wills rumored not to race on Saturday, other faces from Ohio to watch for include Connor Paez, Kyle Wheeler, and Michael Brajdic to name a few. Connor seems to be peaking at the right time. He finished a mere 4 seconds behind stud junior Zach Wills at Ohio State Championships. Kyle Wheeler finished 10 seconds behind Wills and could provide Ohio with depth in Kenosha. Brajdic ran the same time as Paez, winning Division 2 by 10 seconds. He ran a 9:27 3200m as a sophomore, and ran a 15:21 5k earlier this year. He qualified for Portland, finishing 7th at Nike Midwest so he might sit out with state mate, Zach Wills.
The Rest
With such a huge field, anyone can step up on any given day. Many can slip into the top 10; here are a few names to look for.
Michael Atchoo (Michigan): finished first at his state meet, placed 5th last year at Nike Outdoor Nationals in the mile with a time of 4:11.75.
Aaron Bartnik (Minnesota): finished first at Minnesota State Championships and went on to finish first at Nike Heartland Regional.
Brogan Austin (Iowa): Iowa state champ, 15:35.
Christian Brownotter (North Dakota): Victorious at ND State Championships, 9th at Nike Heartland Regional.
