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2018 Nike Cross Nationals � Boys PreviewPublished by
By Michael Newman
It was three teams that everyone looked at when the cross-country season started at the end of August. We now enter the beginning of December and those three teams are standing tall. It will be close in the Boys team race at the Nike Cross Nationals Saturday at Glendoveer Golf Course in Portland. Last year’s top two teams in the meet, Loudoun Valley VA and Fayetteville-Manlius NY are back and part of that trio of teams. Great Oak CA did not have a good NXN race last December finishing sixth. Their sights are being on the podium on Saturday being the team to receive a trophy in winning a national title. The individual race at this meet is always unpredictable. Such is the case again this season. Could it be a 1-2 finish from Colorado runners? Cole Sprout from Valor Christian CO has gone undefeated this season including the Colorado 5A State title and then winning the Southwest Regional title. The junior won by only two seconds ahead of Easton Allred of Mountain Vista CO. Allred was not allowed to run for Mountain Vista this cross-country season by the CHSAA after transferring from Palmer Ridge. Both runners will be close together similar to last year. Sprout finished 21st in 2017 just one second ahead of Allred. Cole Hocker of Indianapolis Cathedral IN has been the hot runner this post season winning both the NXR Midwest Region and Foot Locker Midwest Regional races. He won both races using a kick at the end for the win. Hocker pulled away from Josh Methner of Hersey IL on the final 400-meters of the NXR race. Hocker came back from 25-meters in the final mile to catch and pass Drew Bosley of Homestead WI to win last Saturday. A tactical finish could play into the hands of Hocker in this race. Keep an eye on Bosley and Methner who could both finish among the top five in Portland. Liam Anderson of Redwood CA is the top returning finisher placing third in 2017. The spotlight could be on him after a strong 14:55 to win the California D3 title at historic Woodward Park. Two East Coast runners could find their way to the front in this race. Ryan Oosting of Arlington MA had an impressive race in a convincing NXR Northeast win last Saturday and could be in the front in the end. Jack Stanley of West Morris Mendham NJ earned an at-large individual invitation after winning the Foot Locker Northeast Regional also last Saturday. Stanley will be one of the runners you should expect to be in the front. Nico Young of Newbury CA, Evan Holland of Ashland OR, Charles Hicks of Bolles FL, Carter Cheeseman of Fort Worth Christian TX, and Ethan Kern of York IL are some of the other runners that you can expect near the front in this race. This is an individuals heavy race. Only eight runners with team affiliations are projected to be in the top 30 in this race. Here is a look at each of the 22 qualifying teams.
Boys Teams 1 – Fayetteville-Manlius NY
Regional Top 7 - Garrett Brennan-SR, Geoff Howles-JR, Sam Otis-SR, Matthew Tripp-SR, Peyton Geehrer-SO, Yakob Kelley-FR, Nolan Chiles-SR. Projected Team Score – 107 to 122 points Projected Top 5 Split – 30 to 35 seconds Notes – The Hornets made a big statement in winning the New York Regional placing four runners in the first 10 places with only a 20 second split on those runners. That type of race will be needed by this team on Saturday. Garrett Brennan, Geoff Howles, and Sam Otis were within two seconds of each other in that race. Getting fifth runner Peyton Geehrer closer to the pack will be a key. He was 24 seconds back last week and will need to be within 15 seconds in Portland. FM will need their first four runners in the top 25 team places, then their fifth runner in before 50th to secure the national championship. They finished second a year ago. The Hornets could move one spot higher.
2 – Temecula Great Oak CA
State Top 7 – Mateo Joseph SO, Ryan Shields SR, Cameron Hylton SR, Chris Verdugo JR, Tyler Tickner SR, John Worthy SO, Cole Sawires-Yager JR. Projected Team Score – 127 to 142 points Projected Top 5 Split – 20 to 25 seconds Notes – Great Oak again is running with purpose after finishing sixth in last year’s NXN race and winning the California D1 title last weekend. Just like Fayetteville-Manlius, the Wolfpack will need strong pack running to secure a national championship. The team’s split on five last weekend at state was 16 seconds and 21 seconds the week before in their sectional race. Tyler Tickner has been the team’s top runner most of the year. He was the team’s fifth in Fresno. To win, Great Oak’s pack needs to start before Fayetteville-Manlius puts three runners across the line. Getting Tickner, Mateo Joseph, and Ryan Shields in before the 20th team place is possible. Four runners in before 28th (team) and their fifth in before 40th (team) should get Great Oak on the podium and possibly a national title.
3 – Purcellville Loudoun Valley VA
Regional Top 7 – Jacob Hunter SR, Sam Affolder SR, Connor Wells SR, Kellen Hasle JR, Carlos Schultz JR, Jacob Windle SR, Kevin Carlson JR. Projected Team Score – 150 to 165 points Projected Top 5 Split – 35 to 43 seconds Notes – The defending national champions have looked strong all year especially in their last two meets. The Vikings will be in the hunt for back to back national championships. Sam Affolder should be among the top 15 individuals in this race. Teammate Jacob Hunter finished along side Affolder last week in the regional race. A similar race like that will put Loudoun Valley in a good spot to start with. Their third through fifth runners are projected to be in before 55th place (team). The formula is simple for this team in having their fifth runner finish before either Great Oak or Fayetteville-Manlius gets all of their scorers across the line. That could secure a national title again for this Virginia team.
4 – Newbury Park CA
State Top 7 – Nico Young JR, Ethan Ronk SR, Jace Aschbrenner JR, Kyndall Long SR, Colin Sahlman FR, Nicholas Goldstein SO, Daniel Appleford FR. Projected Team Score – 195 points to 210 points Projected Top 5 Split – 46 to 54 seconds Notes – We find out how strong California was this year in this race. Newbury Park is one of those teams that could challenge for a top five finish. They could be one of the podium teams if one of the “big-three” teams has an off race. The California D2 Champs are led by Nico Young who should be one of the top 10 runners in this race. The pack behind Young will be a key. Ethan Ronk was the team’s second runner at state and has been consistently within 30 seconds of Young. Getting within 25 seconds of his teammate would be a plus. The team’s second through fifth split in the state race was 22 seconds. Dropping that split down to 17 seconds with all their top five runners in before 65th place (team) puts the Panthers among the top five teams.
5 – Steveson Ranch West Ranch CA
State Top 7 – Evan Bates SR, Isaiah Seidman SR, Dylan Gatua SO, Hunter Romaine JR, Alexis Romero SR, Jonathan McDaniel SR, Brandon Arana JR. Projected Team Score – 195 to 210 points Projected Top 5 Split – 50 to 55 seconds Notes – The Wildcats ran their best race of the year in finishing only 11 points behind Great Oak in placing second in the D1 State Meet. A race similar to that on Saturday could get this team into the top five. Evan Bates and Isaiah Seidman took two of the top four spots in the state race. Both runners could be among the top ten team runners in Portland. West Ranch is strong through four runners. That group was separated by 23 seconds in the state race but had a 51 second split on five runners. That gap needs to close down in order for this team to finish among the top five squads.
6 – Jacksonville Bolles School FL
Regional Top 7 – Charles Hicks SR, Benjamin Foltz SR, Alexander Hastings SR, Chase Rivera SR, Kamren Khan SR, William Brady FR, Cole Rutkowski SO. Projected Team Score – 249 to 264 points Projected Top 5 Split – 55 to 65 seconds Notes – The experience that Bolles had in last year’s first appearance in the Nike Cross Nationals when they finished 20th as a team could pay dividends on Saturday. The Fighting Bulldogs rolled through their competition in the Florida State series easily repeating as 2A state champs. Charles Hicks finished ninth last year. He could again be among the top 10 individuals in Saturday’s race. Watch the pack for this team on Saturday led by Ben Foltz. The next four runners were separated by 38 seconds in their regional race. Bolles could have four runners in before 60 team places. Closing their split on five to 55 seconds could get this team close to the top five.
7 – American Fork UT
Regional Top 7 – Luke Grundvig SR, Carson Clinger SR, Dalton Brems SR, Ethan Kelley SR, Ashton Hysell JR, Kobe Serrano SR, Aaron Steed SR. Projected Team Score – 250 to 265 points Projected Top 5 Split – 45 to 51 seconds Notes – American Fork returns to Portland after missing the race in 2017. The Wolfpack, with a good race, could be among the trophy teams. The team has a good top three with Luke Grundvig and Carson Clinger that could be among the top 20 team runners. Dalton Brems could be among the top 40 team finishers. American Fork had a 48 second split on their top five in the regional race. Getting that split under 44 seconds puts this team in the top five and perhaps close to the first three teams.
8 – Littleton Dakota Ridge CO
Regional Top 7 – Austin Vancil SR, Connor Ohlson JR, Jacob White SO, Ben Morrin JR, Ben Piegat JR, Riley Abrashoff SR, Drew Valerio SR. Projected Team Score – 260 to 275 points Projected Top 5 Split – 68 to 83 seconds Notes – Dakota Ridge dominated the Colorado scene this season easily winning the 5A state title. The Eagles demonstrated that in their regional race. This team could be a surprise in the top five in Saturday’s race. Austin Vancil and Connor Ohlson ran side-by-side in their last two races. Both runners could be among the top 20 individuals in this race. Their pack needs to be closer in this race. The top five split at state was 81 seconds but 63 seconds in the regional race. Keeping five runners within 56 seconds of each other places this team among the top five squads especially with Vancil/Ohlson leading them.
9 – Lincroft Christian Brothers NJ
Regional Top 7 – Tim McInerney SR, Luke Reid SR, Shaw Powell JR, Mike Morris JR, Tristan Amell SO, Troy Hill JR, Nolan Kus JR. Projected Team Score – 273 to 288 points Projected Top 5 Split – 51 to 57 seconds Notes – The traditional East Coast power used a strong pack in the front to win their regional Saturday. That kind of packing will help this team this weekend. Tim McInerney, Luke Reid, and Shaw Powell were only separated by four seconds in their regional race. That togetherness needs to continue in Portland. Their top five split dipped to 53 seconds and could go lower in this race. Closing the gap from Powell to fourth-runner Mike Morris to near 30 seconds moves the Colts up. Having their top three in the first 35 team places will also help.
10 – Carlsbad La Costa Canyon CA
State Top 7 – Caleb Niednagel JR, Jacob Stanford SR, Garrett Stanford SR, Andy Pueschel JR, James Miramontes JR, Asher Savage JR. Projected Team Score – 288 to 301 points Projected Top 5 Split – 59 to 73 seconds Notes – The transfer in of Caleb Niednagel has been a big help for the Mavericks as they won the San Diego Regional and finishing second in the D2 State Meet helping them get to the Nike Cross Nationals. The team could be among the top eight teams in this meet if they can get Niednagel along with Jacob and Garrett Stanford into the top 40 team runners. The top three could be within 10 seconds of each other which would be a good start. Keeping their top five split under 60 seconds will be a key in moving the team closer to the top five.
11 – Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake NY
Regional Top 7 – Tyler Berg SR, Aidan Gillooley SR, Evan Brennan SR, Nick Hunziker SR, Kevin Board JR, David Metacarpa JR, Dante Ubriaco JR. Projected Team Score – 302 to 317 points Projected Top 5 Split – 58 to 70 seconds Notes – The New York Class B Champs had a solid race finishing second behind Fayetteville-Manlius last week in their regional race. Keeping their split under 60 seconds on their top five could put the Spartans among the top 10 teams. Tyler Berg could finish among the top 30 individuals in this race and one of the top 10 team placers. Fellow seniors Aidan Gillooley and Evan Brennan staying within 20 seconds of Berg would be a big help as well as having all their top five in the top 90 team finishers.
12 – Kennewick Kamiakin WA
Regional Top 7 – Ryan Child SR, Porter Grigg SR, Stanford Smith JR, Isaac Teeples FR, Jax Weide JR, Cameron Gutierrez SR. Projected Team Score – 303 to 318 points Projected Top 5 Split – 44 to 49 seconds Notes – The Braves make a return trip to Portland after finishing 17th in this race in 2017. They won the 3A State title and then a narrow win in their regional race. Ryan Child leads a strong top five that will need to have a split under 45 seconds to move Kamiakin into the top 10. Stanford Smith and Porter Grigg have been interchangeable in the second spot. One of those runners within 15 seconds of Child would be a plus.
13 – Veradale Central Valley WA
Regional Top 7 – Ryan Kline SR, Evan Peters SR, Tyler Hunter JR, Joseph Nicholls SR, Sheamus Mahoney SR, Damon Sheneman SR, Calvin Whybrew SR. Projected Team Score – 304 to 319 points Projected Top 5 Split – 51 to 62 seconds Notes – Finishing second in the 4A State Meet and a second-place finish in their regional helped Central Valley back to NXN in back to back years. The Bears ran a 52 second split on their top five led by Ryan Kline, but only 44 seconds on that pack in the state meet. Kline could be among the top 15 team runners in this race. A 25 second split on their second through fifth runners led by Evan Peters moves this team close to a top 10 finish.
14 – Warwick Bishop Hendricken RI
Regional Top 7 – Jack McMahon SR, Aidan Tierney SR, Luke Henseler JR, Matt St. Jean JR, Evan Reynolds SO, Nick Braz SR, David DelBonis JR. Projected Team Score – 311 to 326 points Projected Top 5 Split – 36 to 45 seconds Notes – The Hawks bounced back from a so-so race at the New England Championships to finish second behind Christian Brothers but only nine points back. Bishop Hendricken, who won the Eastern States race at the Manhattan Invitational and then the Rhode Island State Championships, will need a top five pack under 40 seconds led by Jack McMahon in the top 25 team runners to get this team near the top 10.
15 – Arlington Heights Hersey IL
Regional Top 7 – Josh Methner JR, Max Svienty JR, Ryan Buch SR, Thomas McCarthy SR, Colin Safford JR, Luis Vasquez SO, Josh Harden SR. Projected Team Score – 317 to 332 points Projected Top 5 Split – 64 to 71 seconds Notes – Hersey is coming on strong at the right time. The Huskies finished second in the Illinois 3A State meet followed by winning their regional just ahead of Wheaton-Warrenville South. Josh Methner will be among the top 10 individuals in the race but will need Max Svienty and Ryan Buch within 45 seconds of the Illinois state champ for this team to finish among the top 10 teams. Their pack on their second to fifth runners in the regional race was separated by only 11 seconds. Keep an eye on that in Saturday’s race.
16 – Wheaton-Warrenville South IL
Regional Top 7 – William Hauenstein JR, Scott Maison SR, Jacob Kluckhohn JR, Jared Peaslee JR, Ethan Seng JR, Sean Maison SR, David Zeller JR. Projected Team Score – 319 to 334 points Projected Top 5 Split – 33 to 42 seconds Notes – Injuries and illness slowed the Tigers down at the end of the year. South was still able to win the Illinois 3A State title and qualify for the Nike Cross Nationals with a second-place finish in their regional. William Hauenstein, Scott Maison, and Jacob Kluckhohn have been 12 to 15 seconds within each other during the year. Sean Maison, who was slowed by an injury at the end of the season, ran with that pack during the year. A healthy Maison moves this team into the top 10, perhaps higher. The Tigers were ranked among the top 10 teams nationally during the regular season.
17 – Spokane Lewis & Clark WA
Regional Top 7 – Wil Smith JR, Patrick North JR, Patrick Korus SR, Brett Bergler SR, Ethan Crawford SO, Danny Maxwell JR, Anders Nielson SR. Projected Team Score – 323 to 338 points Projected Top 5 Split – 65 to 75 seconds Notes – The Tigers bounced back after finishing fourth-place finish in their 4A State race to finishing third in their regional just one point behind Central Valley. That race earned them one of the four at-large bids. Wil Smith is having a great junior season and could be among the top 10 team runners in this race. Their two to five pack split will need to be under 30 seconds to keep Lewis & Clark closer to a finish in the top 15.
18 – Highlands Ranch Mountain Vista CO
Regional Top 7 – Easton Allred JR, Jack O’Sullivan JR, Seth Rouse JR, Davis Helmerich JR, Ethan Rouse SR, Santiago Montano SR, Brody Dempsey SR. Projected Team Score – 365 to 380 points Projected Top 5 Split – 75 to 85 seconds Notes – The addition of Easton Allred to their regional lineup gave this team a boost. The Golden Eagles finished third in their regional as they were selected as one of the four at-large teams. Allred will challenge for the individual title. The pack behind Allred, led by Jack O’Sullivan, has run a tight pack during the season. Keeping that split under 12 seconds on that pack could move this team up. This race will be a test run for this squad. Mountain Vista could be one of the top teams nationally in 2019.
19 – St. Paul Mounds View MN
Regional Top 7 – Austin Streit SR, Lukas Hessini SR, Finn Sokolowski JR, Alec Nelson JR, Will Sacay JR, Elliot McArthur 8, Nehemiah Gaim SR. Projected Team Score – 385 to 400 points Projected Top 5 Split – 40 to 46 seconds Notes – The Mustangs bounced back to win the Heartland Regional title after finishing second in the Minnesota AA State Meet. The team has a good top five pack that could be under 40 seconds in this race. Austin Streit, who has been the team’s top runner all season, finished 11th in the regional race. Streit could be among the top 30 team runners in this race.
20 – Middleton WI
Regional Top 7 – Caleb Easton SR, Roman Ystenes JR, Zachary Leffel JR, Peter Hoferle JR, Egan Johnson JR, Braedon Gilles JR, Frank Thornton SR. Projected Team Score – 410 to 425 points Projected Top 5 Split – 53 to 71 seconds Notes – It was an improbable finish in their regional race after finishing eighth in the Roy Griak Invitational in September, then second in the D1 State Meet. The Cardinals bounced back from a season of ups and downs to finish second in their regional giving them back to back Portland Nike Cross National Trips. Caleb Easton could be among the top 15 team runners in this race. A pack behind Easton, led by Roman Ystenes, needs to stay within 20 seconds of Easton and 35 seconds of each other to move up in the standings.
21 – Southlake Carroll TX
Regional Top 7 – Nate Lannen JR, Jack Myers SR, Steven Torres JR, Henry Gardner SR, Drew Bliss SR, Tim McElaney JR, Antonio Florcruz SO. Projected Team Score – 420 to 435 points Projected Top 5 Split – 40 to 47 seconds Notes – Consistency has been the name of the game for Southlake Carroll this fall. The Dragons finished second in the 6A State Meet, then followed that up by finishing second in their regional race. Carroll finished 19 at NXN in 2017. Nate Lannen has led the team all season and could be among the top 25 team runners on Saturday. The pack behind Lannen had a 21 second split on the group. A good sign for this team is that pack with 20 seconds of Lannen in this race.
22 – El Paso Eastwood TX
Regional Top 7 – Sergio Leon Cuartas SO, Juan Olmos JR, Kayn Quinines SR, Elias Perez JR, Nathan Hernandez SO, Eddie Gallegos SR, Aaron Perez SO. Projected Team Score – 440 to 450 points. Projected Top 5 Split – 17 to 32 seconds Notes – It was a shock to some that Eastwood, the 5A State champs, won the regional title ahead of Texas powers The Woodlands, Southlake Carroll, and Flower Mound. The Troopers used a 12 second split on their top five to help capture that title and to become the first El Paso school to advance to the Nike Cross Nationals. Sergio Leon Cuartas led that pack. This could be the first of many times to Portland for this program. Five of their top seven runners are underclassmen.
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