Class 1 Team Preview

Boys

3. College Heights Christian

College Heights has won four years in a row but it is a new time. With the graduation of Caleb Hoover and Trenton Morris this is a whole new team. They are led by Ryan Beaver, who as a freshman finished 8th at XC State and 5th in the 3200m (Class 2 Track). #2 guy, Adam Lewis, made it to state in the 400m and is looking to improve on his 54th place finish from last fall. Look for them to remain competetive after the loss of some of Missouri's top runners.

2. Humansville High School

Humansville had no All-State performances last year but only graduate two of their fourth place team. Dakota Shoemaker, who came just short of the All-State barrier finishing 26th last year, will lead the team. He had a successfull track season finishing fifth in the Class 1 3200m Run and 9th in the 1600m. Jacob Brown will also be a key factor as he finished 36th last year as a freshman.

1. Linn High School

Kaleb Wilson competes at State Track Barbarick Tyler Rush finished side by side last year placing 11th and 12th

These boys gave a strong College Heights team a run for their money last fall. The bright side for them - they only lost one person from their second place team. They come in the clear favorties, returning three All-State XC Runners, including #1 runner Kaleb Wilson who finished 6th last year. Wilson also colleceted a 4th place finishin in the 1600m run in the spring. Their second runner, Tyler Rush, was a state qualifer in the 3200m. Third runner, Chase Barbarick was featured in the Class 1-2 Runners to Watch last week. Overall, this is a very strong team that should be exciting to watch in a couple weeks.

Rankings Based off of Returners

Class 1 Girls

3. Marion County High School

The Marion County girls are coming off of a 1st place finish in the 4x800m this spring. Last fall they finished 4th at the State XC meet and return every member from that team. Randi Lee Plunkett, who finished 15th two years ago had a tough second half of her season last year which led to a 52nd place finish. If she stays healthy and strong she could improve on that by quite a bit to help Marion County move up from their 4th place finish Plunkett finished 3rd in the 800m this fall. Megan Smith, a sophomore, finished 34th to lead the team last fall.

2. Midway High School

Midway returns four out of their top five from their second place team from las fall but most importantly they return Mackenzie Weis, the defending Class 1 Champion. Weis, who holds the Class 1 record in the 3200m, has won that event two years in a row. Also, Midway has finished second in the 4x800m Relay two years in a row. In addition to returning Weis, they also return Kayla Robinson, the seventh place finisher from last fall. Robinson has been consitently in the top pack as she has finished 15th and 22nd in her other two years at State.

1. Russellville High School

Russellville won last year and they return all of their top five from that team. This includes Miranda Hill, who finished 7th as a freshman and Taylor Young, who finished 17th as a freshman. Their top three from their team from last year was all freshman. Look for this team to continue to improve as the core of their team gets older and more experienced.