Last year's cross country season was surely of epic proportions. At the Foot Locker Nationals Edward Cheserek, NJ, withstood challenges from Sean McGorty, VA, Jake Leingang, ND, and Benjamin Saarel, UT, to win his 2nd straight title. But it was hardly a runaway, as Cheserek finally broke free with less than 800m to go in the race. It was pure, exciting cross country, and surely lived up to the hype that Foot Locker places on the event. Of course, there was also the mudfest at Nike Cross Nationals, which saw Sam Wharton, OH, outlast a tiring field of stars and come up with the victory. The team race was no less exciting as Lincroft, NJ, came up short in their bid for a difficult repeat title by finishing 4th. Arcadia, CA, ran a smart race to move up into victory over UT powerhouse American Fork. North Spokane, WA, also ran well for 3rd place.
The question is, can the new crop of Harriers this year create their own thrilling end of season performances? Only time will tell, but with some big stars graduating out there is plenty of room for new stars to stamp their place in the annals of XC lore. We'll take a look at a few of them and list those to watch as we open the season in a few short weeks.
Take a look at the returners from last year's Foot Locker Nationals. Aaron Templeton, TN, is the top returner from Foot Locker with a 7th place showing last year. Since then he has garnered a 9:01.96 3200m PR and placed 3rd in his state championship 3200. Connor Mantz, UT, was 12th last year at Foot Locker and boasts a 9:04.05 3200m PR from Arcadia. He also finished 2nd in his state 3200m final. Quintin McKinnish, TN, was 13th last year at Foot Locker and ran a 3200m PR of 9:11.86. John Dressel, WA, was 14th last year and finished 6th in the NBON 2 mile with a time of 9:02.89. Kramer Morton, UT, was 16th last year at Foot Locker. Patrick Perrier, IL, finished 19th at Foot Locker Nationals last year and finished out the track season with a 9:03.21 to finish 3rd in his state 3200m final behind stars Jack Keelan and Alex Riba. Brent Demarest, SC, was 25th last year at Foot Locker and finished the track season with a 3200m PR of 9:12.64. Kyle Kroon, NJ, was 28th at Foot Locker last year and ran a 9:03.34 for 3200m during the track season. Nicholas Elswick, OH, was 30th last year in San Diego and then finished 2nd in his state 3200m final in 9:00.43 behind 2012 NCN champ Sam Wharton. Brent Kennedy, PA, finished 34th at Foot Locker and garnered a 9:13.35 outdoor 3200m PR. Christian Alvarado, CT, was 39th in the finals at Balboa Park and then won the New England Champs 3200m with a PR of 9:07.00.
Take a look at a host of other talented harriers hoping to earn end of the year success at either the Foot Locker Nationals or Nike Cross Nationals. Blake Haney, CA, is a stud on the track with a 8:48.58 clocking for 3200m from the Arcadia Invite and a blazing 3:44.69 for 1500m at the World Youth Champs in June. But can those creds turn over a great XC season? We shall certainly find out. Joe Hardy, WA, also has a very fast track 3200m with an 8:51.01 clocking from Arcadia that should set him up nicely for another run at NCN glory, should he yet again choose to run there this year. Noah Kauppila, MO, finished off last year with an 8:54.45 clocking for 3200m and a runner-up 4:13.57 for 1600m. These times certainly put him in the mix and he attempted both NCN and Foot Locker regionals last season. Kyle Levermore, NJ, ran a very fast 8:55.41 PR to win the NJ MOC 3200m, which should set him up nicely for another run at NCN since his team, Don Bosco Prep, should have an opportunity to qualify as well. Obsa Ali, MN, had a solid spring, finishing first in the 3200m at the MN state meet in 8:57.07 and third in the 1600m in 4:10.91. Solid credentials which could set him up for a return to NCN as he qualified last year. Mickey Burke, NY, had a great spring which could see him earn a repeat NCN berth. Burke finished 4th in NY state with a 9:02.13 3200m and then 4th at NBON with a 9:00.30 2 mile. Addison Dehaven, SD, finished a strong junior track season with a SD state title over 3200m in 9:00.19 and then won the Midwest Distance Festival 2 mile with a 9:01.13 clocking. Eli Krahn, MN, was runner-up to Ali at the MN state meet in 8:58.67 and also won the 1600m title in 4:09.38. Only a sophomore, watch out for Krahn as he gains strength and experience at a high level. Joey Duerr, MN, was also in that race as a sophomore and finished 3rd in 8:59.03, showing that MN is going to be exciting for the upcoming season and can certainly bring those talents to the national stage. Tim McGowan, NY, had an impressive spring campaign, finishing 2nd in the NY state 3200m run with a time of 8:59.81 to none other than Fayetteville-Manlius star Nick Ryan, losing by less than a second. He is sure one to watch entering this year's post-season.
Of course it is impossible to anticipate all of the summer training and the harriers that will make big breakthroughts on the national scene during the course of the year. The lists below will become our National Rankings as meets around the country get underway in a few weeks and the runners sort themselves out on courses all over the country. Ready or not, cross country season is here!!
Foot Locker Returning Finalists
Aaron Templeton, 12 9:01.96 3200
Connor Mantz, 11 9:04.05 3200
Quintin McKinnish, 12 9:11.86 3200
John Dressel, 11 9:02.89 2 mile
Kramer Morton, 12 4:14.70 1600
Patrick Perrier, 12 9:03.21 3200
Brent Demarest, 12 9:12.64 3200
Kyle Kroon, 12 9:03.34 3200
Nicholas Elswick, 12, 9:00.43 3200
Brent Kennedy, 12 9:13.35 3200
Christian Alvarado, 12 9:07.00 3200
Others to Watch
Blake Haney, 12 8:48.58 3200
Joe Hardy, 12 8:51.01 3200
Noah Kauppila, 12 8:54.45 3200
Kyle Levermore, 12 8:55.41 3200
Obsa Ali, 12 8:57.07 3200
Mickey Burke, 12 9:00.30 2 mile
Addison Dehaven, 12 9:01.13 2 mile
Eli Krahn, 10 8:58.67 3200
Joey Duerr, 11 8:59.03 3200
Tim McGowan, 12 8:59.81 3200
Clayton Bowie, 12, 9:01.36 3200
Tanner Anderson, 11 9:01.79 3200
Garrett O'Toole, 12 9:02.01 3200
Ryan Udvadia, 12 9:02.05 3200
Josiah Hanko, 12, 9:02.30 3200
Zach Benning, 12 9:02.37 3200
Jacob McDermott, 12 9:02.58 3200
Steven Fahy, 12 9:02.61 3200
Tom O'Neill, 12, 9:02.84 3200
TJ Hornberger, 12 9:03.20 3200
Estevan De La Rosa, 12 9:15.29 2 mile
Tony Morales, 12 9:16.39 3200
Zack Langston, 12 9:17.24 3200