Last week we listed the top returners based on 2010 XC times. This edition gives you some other names & faces who we think have a great shot at being on the medal stand this fall.
Class 3 Boys
3. Ryan Way
Way had an impressive freshman track season, cracking 10 minutes and finishing 11th at State to go with his 13th place finish in the 1600m run. His PR in the 5000 of 17:55 should drop quickly in the 2011 season.
2. Cody Medler
Last year Medler was a key part of the Ram’s state winning team as he grabbed the last All-State spot. He is the top returner for Ladue, one of only two who come back from that squad. He should be up their leading Ladue as they have been a strong team for a few years now.
1. Amos Bartelsmeyer
If you don’t know this name, learn it. He has yet to run a cross country race but I am sure he will be up in the front of almost any race. As a sophomore, he finished third in both the 1600m and 800m. He came back later that next week and ran a 4:16 to place third at the Festival of Miles, beating many of the state's best milers in the process. The MICDS junior split 1:53 at sectionals on the 4x800, so if it comes to a kick I have my money on Bartelsmeyer.
Class 3 Girls
3. Abbey Jeffries
Jeffries is coming back from a 18th place finish as a sophomore. She finished 10th a freshman, so watch for her to return to the top of the pack. It will be interesting to see how Jeffires does without her teammate, Emma Burditt, who was victorious last fall.
2. Amanda Behnke
Behnke, little sister of star miler Adam Behnke, has made a name for herself in the past three years. She finished 9th last year in the fall and continued her succes in the spring 7th in the 1600m. She will surely make her last cross country season a great one.
1. Sammy Laurenzo
As a freshman Sammy finished 21st at State cross. She built on that by running a very impressive time of 5:09 at State Track to finish 4th in the 1600m. She also finished 4th in the 3200m with a time of 11:22. There is no doubt that Laurenzo will be great this fall.
Class 4 Boys
5. Eric Sivill
Sivill is coming off a great summer track season where he ran 4:05 for the 1500 to finish 6th at USATF Nationals, one place in front of Kenny Cushing. He also has run under 2:00 for the 800 on multiple occasions this summer, showing he has good speed. Watch for him to transistion well into cross country this season.
4. Billy Leighton
Leighton, who did not compete in the high school cross country season last year still posted a very respectable time of 16:30 at Foot Locker Regionals. He ran a 9:42 in the 3200m in the spring as a Cape Central Tiger.
3. Nathan Rubbelke
Rubbelke is the top returner of the always strong SLUH Billikens. His PR of 16:21 shows he is more than capable of being in the top of any race. He ran a 9:49 for the 3200m, which qualifed him for state. While there are others with a faster 3200m time, the SLUH factor is on his side.
2. Nathan Keown
Nathan's time of 16:05 puts him just out of the top 10 returners. Keown is a part of a very strong Rock Bridge team, where he will play a key part of his team's success this year. He ran a 9:32 on the track this spring as a sophomore, which is 25 seconds better than his time from his freshman year. With Wilfong and Keown leading the way, Rock Bridge will be a force this fall.
1. Noah Kaupplia
This kid is a monster. As a freshman, Kaupplia ran a 9:25 in the 3200m, which ranks him 5th nationally for this grade. That time gave him an All-State medal as a freshman. He ran a 16:19 at Rim Rock, which is not an easy course, but finished 82nd at state. Watch out for him to be in the top pack this year.
Class 4 Girls
3. Hannah Richardson
Richardson, who is a part of a strong Kirkwood program, had a fantastic track season posting times of 2:14 and 5:09. Shes ran under 20 on multiple occasions, including her PR of 19:31. Richardson will use her speed this fall to post some great times.
2. Sam Garrett
Garrett's time of 19:13 puts her just out of the top 10 returners. She also ran very well this past spring, running 11:09 in the 3200m. She finished just out of All-State last year in the fall, finishing 27th, but watch for her to be in the hunt for a medal this year.
1. Kennadee Williams
This girl can run! As a freshman, she posted PR's of 2:20, 5:10 and 11:24 to go along with her 5K pr of 19:34 which earned her 20th place finish at State. Her and fellow sophomore Kiersten West will pick up where the Titans left off last fall, trying to lead them to yet another State Title.