2009 1A Cross Country Preview

 1A Boys

The 1A Boys class returns a lot of talent. Seven of the teams from last year’s State meet return at least five runners, and Frankfort is the lone team to bring back all seven. The amazing stat that stands out to me is that six of those teams placed in the top eight last year. So don’t expect to see much of a change in who makes it back to State or who places in the top 2/3 of the field.

5 – Frankfort – They return all 7 runners, but no real firepower up front.

4 – Pretty Prairie – Return 4 including a pretty good 1-2 that finished 19-20 last year.

3 – Goessel – Return 6, but will probably lack the firepower to contend for the top 2.

2 – Tribune/Greeley County – I hope these guys don’t concede the championship right from the start. They return a great 1-2 in Wilson and Schneider (3^rd & 5^th returners in 1A) & follow that up with a solid 3-4 that placed in the top 30 last year, and have two more in reserve. With 4A only scoring four it’s possible they could find a 3^rd and 4^th man to pull off the win.

1 - Ness City returns an incredible 6 from the team that dominated 1A last year with 14 points (10 is perfect as only 4 score in 1A).  They are led by two of the top returning runners in Kansas in Colton McNinch & Kyle Calvin. Look for this team to put 4 in the top 10, and possibly a 5^th.  McNinch is the defending champ, but Calvin edged him to win the 1A 3200m.

 

 

26 of the top 28 girls from 2008 return in 1A!  Last year was a real battle as TGC (Tribune/Greeley County) edged Burrton 32-33. Six of the top seven teams from last year return at least five runners.

5 – Goessel – They were 5^th last year & return 5 from that squad. They are pretty solid all the way to 4, but will need to improve up front in order to have a chance at the podium.

4 – Troy – They were 4^th last year & they also return 5. They are led by a very good 1-2 (Hannah Simpson & Hana Speaks) & have a solid #3. If they can find a 4^th they could contend for the title.

3 – Lincoln – They have a very solid 1-3, but drop off after that. If they can find a 4^th they look like they could be a very good pack team that could do some damage.

2 – Tribune/Greeley County – The defending champs return 6 from last year, but lost their #4 and that looks like it could be just enough to dethrone them. They are led by the best returning 1-2 in the class in Madison Moser and Kennedy Schneider.

1 – Burrton – They lost a heartbreaker last year, but return the full squad. They also have the top returning scorer from last year in Kailey Gardner, and their 3^rd and 4^th returners looked very good on the track. They will be tough to beat.

The individual race will be interesting. As I pointed out before 26 of the top 28 girls return. Renken won 1A pretty easily last year, but she only placed 6^th in the 3200 & 5^th in the 1600 at the State track meet in May.