Hillsboro Boys can win Class 4 on the backs of their distance squad
For the last two years, we've seen distance sweeps in Class 4. In 2021, it was West Plains' Riley Simpson. In 2022, it was Festus' Jacob Meyers. In 2023, we're looking at Hillsboro's Josh Allison to continue that streak.
The Hillsboro boys cross country team recently completed one of the most impressive seasons of any team in Missouri's state history. They won the Class 4 State Championship, scoring 35 points, and ending Festus' historic 8 year win streak. They put their top 6 in the top 23 and top 7 in the top 40 and posted a 15:56.58 1-5 team average, led by Josh Allison's individual title.
This spring, they have a shot at posting 40+ points in the distance events alone. Allison returns with personal bests of 1:55.99, 4:18.64, and 9:22.81 in the 800, 1600, and 3200 respectively. He earned 3rd, 2nd, and 4th in each of those races at the 2022 state meet and it's fair to assume he'll run all 3 again this year.
Jonah Allison, Jimmy Mann, Gavin Vaughn, and Landon Pogue will all contribute to their 4x800 squad, a team which placed 2nd in 8:00.44 last season, with Jonah and Mann potentially contributing individual points, too. Jonah was 8th in last year's 3200 and Mann is returning with a 1:59.72 open 800.
Not to be outdone, Hillsboro also returns Noah Holland, Dalton Ross, and Payton Brown, who could all contribute significant points in the non-distance events. Holland returns with personal bests in the 100 of 11.05w and 22.05 in the 200. Ross is the Hawks' top hurdler with personal bests of 15.32 and 42.19 in the 110 and 300 hurdles, respectively. Brown is one of the state's top returning javelin throwers with a stellar 186-0.25 best. He was runner up last spring.
Put it all together, and Hillsboro could push 60 points this spring which puts them in a very good position. Right now, without considering relays, they are 12 points ahead of the next closest team, reigning champs Kearney.