Boys
The Contenders
The Class 1 Boys race is another one with a clear cut individual favorite. West Nodaway's Riley Blay has been special against Class 1 competition over the last 12 months. He won 21 of 22 races this past track season, including the Class 1 state titles in the 800, 1600, and 3200. This, of course, was after he pulled in the 2021 Class 1 State championship in cross country by a comfortable 24 seconds. This year, he enters the state meet with a 15:38.90 personal best which is 42 seconds ahead of the next closest challenger. He should have no problem holding off his competition, just like he has all 2022.
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Justin Horn is back as the leader of this stellar Hermitage squad. He was 7th last year, but enters this year's meet with the second fastest mark in Class 1. Horn posted a 16:20.36 at the Buffalo Invitational, which is one of his seven marks under 17:00 this season. He was the Polk County League champion and runner-up in District 2. Watch for him to pack up with his teammates to try to put away the team title sooner rather than later.
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Justus Yates was a top 10 runner heading into the state meet last fall, but faltered in the middle and ended up finishing 29th. Luckily, it was still good enough to help his team to the title. He returns this year as a clear top 5 contender and should find himself in the mix once again. His personal best of 16:26.77 is well ahead of his second fastest time, but we expect to find him up front working with his Hornet teammates.
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The third of a three-headed monster at Hermitage, Bennett Mantooth was the leader of his squad at last year's state meet. He was third overall in 16:33.90 that day, but he's heading into this year's meet at 16:31.03 and just behind his teammates Horn and Yates. It'll be fun to watch this trio run from the front together.
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Landon Duchscherer - Marion C. Early
Marion C. Early's Landon Duchscherer returns to the Gans Creek course after earning 10th last November. He has dropped down to 16:39.75 and picked up key victories at Ash Grove and Pleasant Grove, along with a runner-up finish at the Polk County meet to Justin Horn. Duchscherer is a solid bet for top 5 on Saturday.