Class 2 Boys Preview: Distance
800 Meter Run
(Austin Holmsley of Principia)
Returning All State Runners
Austin Holmsley, Principia, SR, 2nd
Caleb Hoover, College Heights, SR, 3rd
Trenton Morris, College Heights, 5th
Justin Hansen, Marionville, JR, 6th
This Year
Only .08 seconds separates the top two runners so far this season. Top returners, Hoover and Holmsley, lead the way being the only two to go under 2 minutes so far this year in Class 2. Hoover has dominated the longer distances in Class 2 for quite some time, while Holmsley has been a solid 400m/800m runner for the past couple of years. Austin Hardy, of Mark Twain, sits in third right ahead of Hansen. Morris, a Southwest Baptist recruit, is close behind. Maplewood seems to be among the top in every event, and its no different here. Eric Liska is right among the top guys with his 2:00.80 from sectionals.
1600 Meter Run
(Justin Hansen of Marionville)
Returning All State Runners
Caleb Hoover, College Heights, SR, 1st
Trenton Morris, College Heights, SR, 2nd
Justin Hansen, Marionville, JR, 3rd
Brandon Shemonia, Scott City, JR, 7th
Brian Burnett, Cole Camp, SR, 8th
This Year
When the class record holder is in the race, it is hard to pick against him. Hoover’s 4:15.07 set his sophomore year stands two years later. If one remembers the debate last year, Justin Hansen will also be another name to watch. He stuck with Hoover for a lot of the race at the Aldo Sebben Relays, giving Hansen the second fastest time in Class 2. Brandon Shemonia, who placed second in Class 2 cross country, is close behind with a 4:26.43. Hoover’s teammate, Trenton Morris, despite having a rough year, is currently ranked fourth.
3200 Meter Run
(Caleb Hoover of College Heights)
Returning All State Runners
Caleb Hoover, College Heights, SR, 1st
Brandon Shemonia, Scott City, JR, 3rd
Austin Slagle, Ash Grove, SR, 4th
This Year
Hoover’s impressive run at the Kansas Relays puts him the clear favorite in this race. He has a 30 second lead in the rankings ahead of Shemonia. The only thing that could slow Hoover down is the fact that if he runs the finals of the 800 he will only have about 30 minutes before the 3200m. Watch for him to leave his mark one last time as he could be attempting the grab the Class 2 record of 9:26.55. Shemonia who has consistently run in the 9:40’s this year sits in second in the rankings ahead of Jacob Coffman, Austin Slagle, and Jacob Drilling. While he is currently 12th in Class 2, Trenton Morris, could easily finish in the top pack.
4x800 Meter Relay
Over the past few years Principa has dueled with College Heights in this race, splitting the last two years. College Heights, led by Hoover and Morris, has put their team first in the rankings with an 8:11.77. Prin sits in 3rd, behind Liberty (Mountain View), both schools right around the 8:20 mark. A distance-powered team, Herculaneum, should be in the mix as they have run 8:30.08 this year, ranking them 5th. Other teams include Fatima, Trenton, and Stockton.