2009 5A Cross Country Preview

Expect to see a similar battle to last year with most of the top individuals returning, and most of the top teams not losing much.   Mackenzie Maki of Kapaun Mt. Carmel leads a talented returning field after dominating state last year, and setting All-Time top 20 individual marks on the track in the 1600 and 3200. She will have a serious challenger though. Freshman Kaelyn Balch who will be running for Bishop Carroll ran a 36:36 10K at the Wichita River Run in May. That is VERY fast & clearly she has the strength to handle 4K at Rim Rock.  Ashley Wasburn of St. Thomas Aquinas, the 5A runner-up the last 3 years, rounds out an amazing top 3.

 

5 – Emporia is bringing back 6 from their team that placed 7^th last year. Jenna Stanbrough ran really well on the track and could place in the top 5.

4 – Bishop Carroll is always deep and returns 4 from state last year.  They add Kaelyn Balch which helps keep them in the top 5.

3 – Great Bend returns their entire top 7 from last year’s 3^rd place team.   There isn’t a single senior in the group, and they could be a title threat for at least the next few years.  Rubi Torres leads them after placing 5^th last year.

2 – Kapaun Mt. Carmel has a very good group of 5 coming back.  They have defending champ Mackenzie Maki, and Katie Hand who is a top 10 threat.

1 – St. Thomas Aquinas – The Saints bring back 5 seniors and a junior after winning 5A 3 out of the last 5 years.   They have 3-time runner-up Ashley Washburn up front & plenty of depth behind her.   This may be their best team ever, and the year they finally make it two-in-a-row.

 

Signal the changing of the guard. I would never have guessed it, but this team battle may practically be flipped upside down compared to last year.  Get ready for what could be an epic team race. Going into the season I have the top 6 teams all separated by as little as 20 points!  Heavy hitters PJ Greer, Kyle Hanson, Kyle Glasgow, and Mitch Loring all graduated.   Adam Porter of McPherson should be the clear favorite after his impressive track season where he led the entire state in every distance event, but injury rumors have surfaced and that may leave the door open for Brandon Craig, Josh Munsch, or Cameron Sprague.

 

5 – Gardner Edgerton is bringing back a solid 5 that is loaded with seniors from their squad that placed 4^th last year. They lost Mitch Loring, but their depth will help them cover the loss.

4 – Bishop Carroll lost 3 of their top 5, but they have the best 1-2 in 5A (Cliff Kissling and David Thor). I know they have at least one talented freshman coming in that should help out their top 5.

3 – Emporia – I think they may have officially reloaded. This crew is deep and only has 1 senior (beware in 2010). Don’t be surprised if the Spartans are standing on top of the awards stand on Oct 31st.

2 – McPherson is led by superman Adam Porter, and they’re bringing back their entire team from last year’s 8^th place team.   They will need to get some of that depth to move up in order to bring home the title.

1 – Liberal, yes, I said Liberal is returning a very solid 5 from their team that placed 5^th last year. Their lone senior is Morgan Riggs who is one of the top returners, and they have a solid pack of 4 behind him to back him up. They’re going to have to make sure this 5 delivers, or hope to find some new talent to step in there. Maybe a little of both, but they have a legitimate chance to win 5A.