While we are only two weeks into the 2011 XC season here are a few thoughts from the webmaster.....
1. REPEAT
Samantha Nightingale is off to a fantastic start in her quest to be a two time state champion. She's 2 for 2 after winning the Greg Wilson Classic and UCM Mule run. In week 2 Samantha shaved 46 seconds off her 4k time from last season over the same course. Look for Samantha to keep rolling throughout the 2011 season.
Zach Herriott is also 2 for 2 winning both the Greg Wilson Classic and the Forest Park XC Festival. In winning Forest Park Zach bested Caleb Wilfong who figures to be a challenge of Zach's Class 4 title defense by 8 seconds.
2. Rock Bridge is for real
We all know pre-season hype does not always guarantee success by the boys from Rock Bridge appear to be very strong. They beat both Rockhurst and St. Louis University High by a comfortable margin at Forest Park and it appears either of those teams or the Zizzers from West Plains will have to step it up to compete with Rock Bridge come November.
3. Changing of the Guard?
There is a new team to beat in Class 1 Boys - After the graduation of Caleb Hoover and 4 consecutive Class 1 Boys Team Championships, College Heights Christian faces a steep uphill climb if they plan to stop Linn at the 2011 state championship. Led by senior Kaleb Wilson the boys from Linn appear hungry for a title after finishing a close 2nd last season.
While early to predict another string of consecutive titles is in jeopardy with the Lee's Summit West Girls there appear to be a number of threats in Class 4. Rock Bridge, Nernix Hall, Eureka and Lee's Summit North have all started strong and may make for some interesting discussions in coming weeks.
4. Youth Movement
Nicole Lee and Sammy Laurenzo
After a year with so many outstanding female seniors a new generation of female distance runners is making news across the state. While senior Samantha Nightingale remains the girl to beat a number of freshman and sophomore runners have been impressing fans across the state. 9th graders Hannah Long of Eureka, Kayla Funkenbusch of Rock Bridge, Sophia Racette of Nernix Hall and Samnatha Phillips of Lees Summit West have all shown they will likely be great runners in the future but in the present. Let's not forget some super sophomores as well such as Sammy Larenzo of Liberty North, Nicole Lee of Clinton, Melissa Brown of Oakville and Nicole Mello of Hickman. I think it's fair to say we will have a very competitive couple of years ahead of us.