Class 3 Boys Preview
The Contenders
Drew White, Fesuts, SR
Last Year: 2nd, 15:57
Best - 15:19, AVG - 15:44
This is Drew White's race to lose. His average of 15:44 is the second fastest time in Class 3, ran by none other than his own teammate Shane Brown. White is not only the best runner in Class 3 this year, but one of the best in the state. At Kansas, White took down defending Class 4 State Champ Zach Herriott. Watch for White to aim for the State Record of 15:26. It is definitely within his grasp, but White will most likely be running alone.
Max Jobson, Liberty North, SR
Last Year: 16th, 17:00
Best - 16:18, AVG - 16:29
Jobson has ran well all year which includes a win at Ray-Pec, Platte County, Rim Rock (Blue Division), Excelsior Springs, KC Suburban Blue, and districts. He has only lost two races the entire season and they both have been by one second. The guy can run and he will be in the case pack this Saturday. He is as consistent as they come in Class 3.
Shane Brown, Festus, SR
Last Year: 11th, 16:45
Best - 15:44, AVG - 16:26
Brown and White make a fantastic 1-2 punch for Festus. Brown has had some amazing performances including a 13th place finish at Forest Park, where he ran his PR of 15:44. He also finished 9th at Rim Rock, another very competitive race. If he runs like he ran in those two races he will be in the top three.
Amos Bartlesmeyer, MICDS, JR
Last Year: Did Not Run Cross
Best - 15:54, 16:57
In his first cross seaon Amos has not disappointed. Bartlesmeyer ran a 15:54 to place 14th in only his second cross-country race ever. With 1:56 and 4:17 speed he is a force to be reckoned with in the last mile. After winning his district over Kirk Smith, Amos should be ready to roll at state to a top 5 finish.
(Photo Credit: Chris Auckley, Motrackfanatic.blogspot.com)
Alex Bledsoe, Nevada, SR
Last Year: 15th, 16:57
Best - 16:28, AVG - 16:34
Bledsoe is a bit of an unknwon this season. We know two things. We know that he finished well last year at state and that in the two races that we have for him this season he has run well. He won his district where he beat the pack of Warrensburg. He is a 1:57 800 guy so he has more speed than most of the guys on the field.
Sheldon Keence, St. Charles West, JR
Last Year: 126th, 18:47
Best – 16:15, AVG – 17:13
Keence has had some great races including a win in the lower division in Forest Park and Hancock over Kirk Smith, Brady Novak, and Nathan Henry. He has show he can compete with the best runners in Class 3 except he has had problems with races such as a 17:38 for 14th at Border Wars, and 18:10 and a 12th place finish at Warrenton Invitational. If he has a good day top five is possible.
Nathan Henry, Desoto, SR
Last Year: 19th, 17:01
Best - 16:20, AVG - 16:50
Henry finished just ahead of Festus' Shane Brown last week at Districts. He has had a pretty good year all year coming off a pretty succesful junior year where he was 19th at State Cross-Country and 8th at State in the mile. Look for him to be up there in the mix in a pack where anybody could finish second.
Cody Medler, Ladue, SR
Last Year: 25th, 17:10
Best - 16:24, AVG - 16:56
Last year, Medler played a huge part of Ladue’s state winning team. This year he has been all over the place but for the most part looks very strong. He was sick this past weekend at districts and finished 8th. His PR comes off of a course that is not super fast like many others. He ran a 16:47 on a very tough course to beat both Bartelsmeyer and Kirk Smith. If he is healthy and ready to go, he will be up in the top pack.
Kirk Smith, John Burroughs, JR
Last Year: Did Not Run at State
Best - 16:25, AVG - 16:47
Smith has been running against Amos and Medler all year. He finished second and the lower division of Forest Park behind Sheldon Keence where he ran a PR of 16:25. He beat Bartelsmeyer at Borgia, but was a bit behind Medler. He then beat Medler but lost to Bartelsmeyer at districts. Smith has had a break out season and it should show this weekend.
Last Year: 70th, 17:57
Best - 16:08, AVG - 17:02
Way had a slow start to the season but has been rolling since then. In his last 8 races 6 of them have them have been under 17. Way lost to Monett’s Chris Renteria by a second at districts, but beat him the two previous times they have raced. Both Way and Renteria will be fighting for a top 10 finish.