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Cross Country Rankings: Oct. 12

By: Taylor Eldridge • 10/12/2009 12:00:00 AM

GIRLS

Top 10 Teams

1. Bishop Carroll

  • Top 5 (season best time): Kaelyn Balch (14:01); Anastasiya Menestrina (15:57); Kristen Sponsel (15:58); Christen McCaulley (15:59); Brandy Tholstrup (16:11).
  • Results: 1st at Bishop Carroll Invitational on 9/5; 1st at Swather Special on 9/10; 1st at Southeast Invitational on 9/19; 2nd at Rim Rock Invite (Crimson) on 9/26; 2nd at El Dorado Invitational on 10/10.
  • Last ranking: 1
  • Justification: I’m not even sure Carroll ran its best this past weekend, but they weren’t too far off from 6A power Manhattan. McCaulley didn’t run, but Menestrina finally broke through under 16 minutes to give the Eagles four runners that have broken 16 minutes this season. Pretty dang good.

2. Derby

  • Top 5: Emily Hornbeck (14:42); Amber Green (15:52); Valerie Nielson (16:29); Lindsay Cuadra (16:31); Brenna Kleman (16:41).
  • Results: 2nd at Bishop Carroll Invitational on 9/5; 3rd at Swather Special on 9/10; 1st at K.C. Turner Invitational on 9/16; 10th at Rim Rock Invite (Gold) on 9/26; 5th at Cowboy Jamboree (6A) on 10/3; 5th at El Dorado Invitational on 10/10.
  • Last ranking: 2
  • Justification: Derby is starting to take post-season form now. How about Hornbeck going sub-15? Wow, and Nielson and Kleman ran season-bests along with the new addition in Cuadra. Green didn’t run last week, so if they get her back and have all five firing, they will be very competitive in 6A.

3. Goddard

  • Top 5 runners: Megan Ballinger (15:18); Courtney Maddux (15:44); Julie Randall (16:13); Sarah Irsik (16:21); Meredith Skidmore (17:36).
  • Results: 5th at Bishop Carroll Invitational on 9/5; 1st at Hutchinson Invitational on 9/10; 3rd at Southeast Invitational on 9/19; 13th at Rim Rock Invite (Gold) on 9/26; 2nd at Newton Invitational on 10/3; 3rd at El Dorado Invitational on 10/10.
  • Last ranking: 4
  • Justification: It seems like I keep flip-flopping Goddard and Newton, but this weekend the Lions really stepped it up. Mainly Courtney Maddux. She probably ran the race of her career, lowering her time from mid-16’s to 15:44. If she can keep it up and Randall and Irsik keep inching closer to sub-16, the Lions rise the ranks.

4. Newton

  • Top 5 runners: Mallorie Coffman (15:41); Erin Loeffler (15:46); Shannon Ahlstedt (15:54); Laci McCartney (17:05); Ardys Woodward (17:37).
  • Results: 2nd at Swather Special on 9/10; 1st at Buhler Invitational on 9/17; 11th at Rim Rock Invite (Crimson) on 9/26; 1st at Newton Invitational on 10/3; 4th at El Dorado Invitational on 10/10.
  • Last ranking: 3
  • Justification: Newton can match up with any team 1-3. Those top three all getting under 16 minutes is a great sign, now its just lowering that #4 and #5 time. The closer they both get to breaking 17 minutes, Newton becomes more of a state threat.

5. East

  • Top 5 runners: Carlin Greene (15:55), Kristen Lumpkins (16:03), Laura Combs (16:36); Cate Dunn (16:46); Andrea Livingston (16:58).
  • Results: 2nd at J.K. Gold Classic on 9/5; Participation at North Invitational on 9/10; 5th at Southeast Invitational on 9/19; 1st at Ark City Invitational on 9/24; 8th at Rim Rock Invite (Crimson) on 9/26; 6th at El Dorado Invitational
  • Last ranking: 5
  • Justification: When/if they get Laura Combs back healthy, this team should get a major boost. The two right now are running outstanding and their top five all set season-best times this past weekend.  They have enough depth to get by without Combs, but I think they are a very, very good team with her in the lineup.

6. Maize

  • Top 5 runners: Dani Walker (15:02); Kelsy McNay (16:14); Najai Hill (16:18); Mary Kranick (16:31); Jordan Goss (17:49).
  • Results: 3rd at Bishop Carroll Invitational on 9/5; 10th at Emporia Invitational on 9/12; 4th at Southeast Invitational on 9/19; 15th at Rim Rock Invite (Gold) on 9/26; 2nd at Junction City Invitational on 10/3.
  • Last ranking: 6
  • Justification: Maize took this past week off to rest up for the post-season. They had some good momentum coming out of Junction City, so we’ll see if they can ride it into league and fight for that second spot with Goddard.

7. Clearwater

  • Top 5 runners: Logan Davis (16:14); Kristen Babb (16:18); Michelle Babb (16:20); Tracy Rausch (17:06); Brooke Winter (17:08).
  • Results: Participation at Clearwater Invitational on 9/3; 6th at Wamego Invitational on 9/12; 1st at Peabody-Burns Invitational on 9/17; 1st at Oxford Invitational on 9/24; 2nd at Cowboy Jamboree (3-1A 2-mile) on 10/3; 1st at Circle Invitational on 10/10.
  • Last ranking: 9
  • Justification: There are few teams out there that have the depth and the consistency that Clearwater brings to the table. Especially in 4A. Davis and the Babb sisters continue to lower their times this season and Rausch and Winter ran strong. I expect all times to be in the 16’s when Regionals come.

8. Hutchinson

  • Top 5 runners: Madison Schrock (16:12); Maple Shalonda (16:23); Rachel Seitz (16:30); Erin Allender (16:47); Maggie Heck (17:19).
  • Results: 4th at Great Bend Invitational on 9/5; 3rd at Hutchinson Invitational on 9/10; 7th at Southeast Invitational on 9/19; 5th at Rim Rock Invite (Blue) on 9/26; 4th at Newton Invitational on 10/3; 7th at El Dorado Invitational.
  • Last ranking: 10
  • Justification: The Salt Hawks continue their climb through the rankings after a solid performance at El Dorado. Schrock and Shalonda were solid as usual, but the team got very good performances from Seitz and  Allender. If they can get all five under 17 minutes, that would make for some nice pack running.

9. Kapaun Mount Carmel

  • Top 5 runners: Mackenzie Maki (14:23); Marie Schaller (16:26); Katie Hand (17:05); Susan Welte (17:25); Emilee Strecker (17:28); Veronika Kolejakova (17:28).
  • Results: 4th at Bishop Carroll Invitational on 9/5; 4th at Swather Special on 9/10; 6th at Southeast Invitational on 9/19; 20th at Rim Rock Invite (Crimson) on 9/26; 15th at Cowboy Jamboree (6A); 12th at El Dorado Invitational.
  • Last ranking: 7
  • Justification: After Maki and Schaller, the team has struggling finding consistency in the #3-#5 times. It seems to be different people each week, so if the Crusaders can find two or three more runners to count on, then they should do well in the City this weekend.

10. Buhler

  • Top 5 runners: Shelby Nelson (16:05); Ellyn Willse (16:06); Katie Winter (17:17); Toni Androski (17:20); Carly Berblinger (17:31).
  • Results: 1st at Great Bend Invitational on 9/5; 2nd at Buhler Invitational on 9/17; 1st at Valley Center Invitational on 9/21; 1st at McPherson Invitational on 9/24; 6th at Newton Invitational on 10/3.
  • Last ranking: 9
  • Justification: I couldn’t find Buhler results anywhere, so I’m assuming they too took the week off to prepare for league and the upcoming regionals.

Top 10 Runners

1a. Kaelyn Balch, Bishop Carroll

  • Results: 14:39 (1st) at Bishop Carroll Invitational on 9/5; 14:37 (1st) at Swather Special on 9/10; 14:01 (2nd) at Southeast Invitational on 9/19; 14:56 (1st) at Rim Rock Invite (Crimson) on 9/26; 14:24 (2nd) at El Dorado Invitational on 10/10.
  • Last ranking: 1
  • Justification: I’m bringing back the 1A and 1B rankings. Balch won the first two races against Maki, but the junior got the better of her this past weekend. It’s such a tough call who should be first, so for now, I’ll give it both to them.

1b. Mackenzie Maki, Kapaun Mount Carmel

  • Results: 14:49 (2nd) at Bishop Carroll Invitational on 9/5; 14:44 (1st) at Swather Special on 9/10; 14:48 (3rd) at Southeast Invitational on 9/19; 15:29 (2nd) at Rim Rock Invite (Crimson) on 9/26; 11:16 (1st) at Cowboy Jamboree (6A 2-mile) on 10/3; 14:23 (1st) at El Dorado Invitational on 10/10.
  • Last ranking: 2
  • Justification: I kind of got the feel that this past weekend would be different for Maki. She’s got her swagger back and has been running outstanding the past two weeks. She’ll a chance this weekend to prove El Dorado wasn’t a fluke and she can contend with Balch. The first time at Cessna wasn’t even close. Expect it to be (a lot) closer this time.

3. Emily Hornbeck, Derby

  • Results: 15:58 (4th) at Bishop Carroll Invitational on 9/5; 15:09 (1st) at Swather Special on 9/10; 16:54 (2nd) at K.C. Turner Invitational on 9/16; 15:52 (10th) at Rim Rock Invite (Gold) on 9/26; 11:35 (7th) at Cowboy Jamboree (6A 2-mile) on 10/3; 14:42 (3rd) at El Dorado Invitational on 10/10.
  • Last ranking: 5
  • Justification: Sometimes running against the best brings out the best in you and that’s clearly true for Hornbeck. Wow. I didn’t foresee that 14:42 time coming and edging Milbourn was a surprise as well. She gets the nod forward.

4. Molly Milbourn, El Dorado

  • Results: 15:18 (1st) at J.K. Gold Classic on 9/5; 15:18 (1st) at Wamego Invitational on 9/12; 14:49 (1st) at Buhler Invitational on 9/17; 15:20 (1st) at McPherson Invitational on 9/24; 14:59 (1st) at Newton Invitational on 10/3; 15:18 (4th) at El Dorado Invitational on 10/10.
  • Last ranking: 3
  • Justification: Color me a little surprised about her time (15:18) and her place (4th), but those are still just great numbers. I expect her to be right around breaking 15 minutes again this week and return to form with a strong performance. Last week was the first race she did win.

5. Dani Walker, Maize

  • Results: 15:38 (3rd) at Bishop Carroll Invitational on 9/5; 15:20 (4th) at Southeast Invitational on 9/19; 15:28 (2nd) at Rim Rock Invite (Gold) on 9/26; 15:02 (1st) at Junction City Invitational on 10/3.
  • Last ranking: 4
  • Justification: Hate to move down a runner for not running, but it had more to do with Hornbeck’s race than Walker not running. She’ll have a week off and will be fresh this week for the league meet at Afton. It will be interesting to see how low she can go and who will win between her and the Derby girls.

6. Morgan Wedekind, Valley Center

  • Results: 12:33 (1st) at Clearwater Invitational (2-mile) on 9/3; 16:33 (1st) at Wellington Invitational on 9/12; 15:22 (1st) at Valley Center Invitational on 9/21; 16:02 (4th) at Rim Rock Invite (Crimson) on 9/26; 14:54 (1st) at Circle Invitational on 10/9.
  • Last ranking: 7
  • Justification: She took the week off last week and wow, what a difference that made. She won the Circle meet by nearly a full minute over some good runners and broke 15 minutes on a legit 4k course. She just keeps improving and improving and making it hard not to move her up the list more.

7. Amber Green, Derby

  • Results: 15:58 (5th) at Bishop Carroll Invitational on 9/5; 15:52 (2nd) at Swather Special on 9/10; 16:44 (1st) at K.C. Turner Invitational on 9/16; 16:02 (13th) at Rim Rock Invite (Gold) on 9/26; 11:45 (9th) at Cowboy Jamboree (6A 2-mile) on 10/3.
  • Last ranking: 6
  • Justification: Not sure why, but Green wasn’t able to go last weekend in El Dorado. At this point, you don’t want to risk anything so it was probably a good call to hold her out of the race. She’ll have aweek off to rest up for league and then to Regionals.

8. Megan Ballinger, Goddard

  • Results: 16:38 (8th) at Bishop Carroll Invitational on 9/5; 15:18 (2nd) at Hutchinson Invitational on 9/10; 15:34 (6th) at Southeast Invitational on 9/19; 16:31 (24th) at Rim Rock Invite (Gold) on 9/26; 15:34 (2nd) at Newton Invitational on 10/3; 15:29 (7th) at El Dorado Invitational on 10/10.
  • Last ranking: 9
  • Justification: The Goddard team keeps improving and the best runner on that team is Ballinger. She has been amazingly consistent her first two years in high school cross country and you can expect that she will be going low 15’s at league, regionals and state.

9. Amber Eichkorn, North

  • Results: 16:24 (6th) at Bishop Carroll Invitational on 9/5; 17:25 (1st) at North Invitational on 9/12; 15:28 (5th) at Southeast Invitational on 9/19; 16:32 (10th) at Rim Rock Invite (Crimson) on 9/26.
  • Last ranking: 8
  • Justification: I couldn’t find her anywhere in the results, so maybe she took another week off. I’ll have to find out, but I know she’ll be right around the same level of Ballinger so it’s hard to move her down too much.

10. Taylor Carlson, Rose Hill

  • Results: 16:59 (2nd) at Clearwater Invitational on 9/3; 16:44 (12th) at Wamego Invitational on 9/12; 16:14 (5th) at Buhler Invitational on 9/17; 15:51 (2nd) at Goddard Invitational on 9/24; 15:52 (1st) at Winfield Invitational on 10/3; 15:46 (2nd) at Circle Invitational on 10/9.
  • Last ranking: N/R
  • Justification: Carlson has long been right on the edge of the top 10 list, but this past week I think she finally breaks through with a 15:46. That’s a great race on a great course, so it looks like she is starting to really come into form running in the 15’s for three straight meets now.

BOYS

Top 10 Teams

1. Mulvane

  • Top 5 runners: Evan Landes (15:55), Nikki Trooien-Smith (16:06); Nick Lockwood (16:13), Wyatt James (16:21); Josh Hansen (16:43).
  • Results: 1st at J.K. Gold Classic on 9/5; 1st at Wamego Invitational on 9/12; 1st at Chaparral Invitational on 9/17; 3rd at Rim Rock Invite (Gold) on 9/26; 1st at Berean Invitational on 10/1; 1st at Circle Invitational on 10/9.
  • Last ranking: 1
  • Justification: A little surprised by some of these times from Mulvane, but everyone knows Circle’s course is legit. It looks like NTS had a bit of an off-week, but Lockwood’s emergence is a great sign. They’re just now that much more unbeatable.

2. Campus

  • Top 5 runners: Brock Nooney (16:22); Bryant Keirns (16:29); Cooper Clark (17:06); Chris Kelly (17:15); Jeremy Shear (17:15).
  • Results: 2nd at J.K. Gold Classic on 9/5; 4th at Emporia Invitational on 9/12; 2nd at Southeast Invitational on 9/19; 13th at Rim Rock Invite (Gold) on 9/26; 3rd at Topeka Seaman on 10/3; 1st at El Dorado Invitational on 10/10.
  • Last ranking: 3
  • Justification: Nooney continues to establish himself as the team’s No. 1 runner, which makes Keirns that much more valuable as the No. 2 runner. The pack behind them has improved as the week’s have progressed. Three good times can usually be mustered from the group of Cooper Clark, Nick Ward, Jeremy Shear, Chris Kelly and Morgan McRae.

3. East

  • Top 5 runners: Aaron Heil (16:28); Will Marsh (16:57); Jesse Parker (17:10); Jacob Seamster-Davis (17:43); Tanner Follis (17:50).
  • Results: 5th at J.K. Gold Classic on 9/5; Participation at North Invitational on 9/12; 3rd at Southeast Invitational on 9/19; 6th at Rim Rock Invite (Crimson) on 9/26; 2nd at El Dorado Invitational on 10/10.
  • Last ranking: 5
  • Justification: I’m really impressed with how East ran at Eldo this past weekend. The top three just ran exceptional races and all three ran season-best times. Now I think Carroll would probably edge East at full strength, but at this point I’ll go with the team that has proven it this season.

4. Bishop Carroll

  • Top 5 runners: David Thor (16:43); Cliff Kissling (16:44); Gage Garcia (17:14); Andy Schepis (17:26); James Hampton (17:29).
  • Results: 1st at Bishop Carroll Invitational on 9/5; 1st at Swather Special on 9/10; 11th at Rim Rock Invite (Gold) on 9/26; Participation at Cowboy Jamboree (5-4A) on 10/3; Participation at El Dorado Invitational on 10/10.
  • Last ranking: 2
  • Justification: How can anybody be really sure what Carroll can do this season? Injuries and sickness has devastated most of the varsity team the past month, so it’s impossible to know how the Eagles stack up with teams now. But Thor is nearing a full recovery and when everyone does get healthy, expect Carroll to be a force.

5. McPherson

  • Top 5 runners: Adam Porter (15:15); Morgan Peterson (16:33); Caleb Porter (16:56); Nick Rempe (16:58); Skyler Janda (17:38).
  • Results: 4th at J.K. Gold Classic on 9/5; 6th at Emporia Invitational on 9/12; 1st at Buhler Invitational on 9/17; 1st at McPherson Invitational on 9/24; 1st at Newton Invitational on 10/3; 4th at El Dorado Invitational on 10/10.
  • Last ranking: 4
  • Justification: Mac ran against the best at Eldo and did well, but I’m sure it would have liked to have finished second behind Campus. They still edged Hutch, so they ran well but I don’t think anyone outside of Adam Porter ran exceptionally well. The Bullpups appear a lock for a top-5 team though this season.

6. Hutchinson

  • Top 5 runners: Cameron Sprague (15:39); Chris Wise (16:30); Seaver Williams (17:34); Tyler Williams (17:53); Derek Mitchell (18:01).
  • Results: 3rd at Great Bend Invitational on 9/5; 1st at Hutchinson Invitational on 9/10; 4th at Southeast Invitational on 9/19; 10th at Rim Rock Invite (Crimson) on 9/26; 3rd at Newton Invitational on 10/3; 5th at El Dorado Invitational on 10/10.
  • Last ranking: 6
  • Justification: Another week of lowered times for all five of the top runners, but everyone else is stepping up their game too. No move up for the Salt Hawks, but they ran exceptionally well. Sprague keeps coming on, now if they can work on lowering those #4 and #5 times they will be elite.

7. Derby

  • Top 5 runners: Neil Metler (15:42); Brandon Lewis (17:11); Darren Dawdy (17:38); Craig Compton (17:46); Vontez Curry-Long (17:59).
  • Results: 4th at Bishop Carroll Invitational on 9/5; 3rd at Swather Special on 9/10; 1st at K.C. Turner Invitational on 9/16; 21st at Rim Rock Invite (Gold) on 9/26; 10th at Cowboy Jamboree (6A) on 10/3; 6th at El Dorado Invitational on 10/10.
  • Last ranking: 7
  • Justification: Derby’s time keep coming down, which is just a great sign for them. Coach Edwards knows how to pace his runners to make sure they peak when they need to and we’ve seen the top top five runners improve their times the last two weeks. And, of course, it never hurts when you have a runner like Neil Metler on your team.

8. El Dorado

  • Top 5 runners: Casey Nightengale (16:31); Dale Nuckolls (16:48); Michael Riedl (16:56); Ben Jiles (17:02); Spencer Jensen (17:33).
  • Results: 6th at J.K. Gold Classic on 9/5; 5th at Wamego Invitational on 9/12; 2nd at Buhler Invitational on 9/17; 2nd at McPherson Invitational on 9/26; 2nd at Newton Invitational at 10/3; 7th at El Dorado Invitational on 10/10.
  • Last ranking: 9
  • Justification: The team as a whole ran fairly well on their home course over the weekend. Not overly impressive, not overly disappointing, so Eldo moves up one spot from last week with its consistency.

9. Northwest

  • Top 5 runners: Robbie Martinez-Garcia (16:23); Daniel Herbert (16:43); Andrew Johnson (17:25); Max Surmeier (18:07); Kevin Crafton (18:12).
  • Results: 3rd at Bishop Carroll Invitational on 9/5; 7th at Emporia Invitational on 9/12; 6th at Southeast Invitational on 9/19; 14th at Rim Rock Invite (Crimson) on 9/26; 11th at Cowboy Jamboree (6A) on 10/3; 11th at El Dorado Invitational on 10/10.
  • Last ranking: 8
  • Justification: The top two were great once again, but the Grizzlies are still trying to find runners to fill the other three slots. So far this season they haven’t been able to stay healthy, so there is only room for improvement on this ranking. But until they do find some consistency, it’s hard to rank them too high.

10. Maize

  • Top 5 runners: Ryan Hopkins (17:03); Daniel Van Sickle (17:45); Landon Kilgore (17:57); Eli Ybarra (18:02); Brooks Rummery (18:19).
  • Results: 2nd at Bishop Carroll Invitational on 9/5; 10th at Emporia Invitational on 9/12; 5th at Southeast Invitational on 9/19; 26th at Rim Rock Invite (Gold) on 9/26; 2nd at Junction City Invitational on 10/3.
  • Last ranking: 10
  • Justification: I’m not 100 percent certain, but I’m pretty sure Maize took last week off. Smart move heading into the post-season. The Eagles will be looking to challenge Hutch and Derby for the league title this week, so we’ll see how a week off treated them.

Top 10 Runners

1. Adam Porter, McPherson

  • Results: 15:55 (1st) at J.K. Gold Classic on 9/5; 16:39 (2nd) at Emporia Invitational on 9/12; 15:18 (1st) at Buhler Invitational on 9/17; 16:36 (1st) at McPherson Invitational on 9/24; 15:50 (1st) at Newton Invitational on 10/3; 15:38 (1st) at El Dorado Invitational on 10/10.
  • Last ranking: 1
  • Justification: Porter-Sprague II lived up to its billing, as Porter used his outstanding kick to pull away for his fifth win of the season. Running against the best from the Wichita area, he proved he deserves to be No. 1.

2. Cameron Sprague, Hutchinson

  • Results: 16:28 (3rd) at Great Bend Invitational on 9/5; 17:04 (2nd) at Hutchinson Invitational on 9/10; 16:25 (2nd) at Southeast Invitational on 9/19; 16:53 (4th) at Rim Rock Invite (Crimson) on 9/26; 15:57 (2nd) at Newton Invitational on 10/3; 15:39 (2nd) at El Dorado Invitational on 10/10.
  • Last ranking: 5
  • Justification: OK, last week I said it was the race of the year for Sprague. I changed my mind, this past week was his race of the year. He just about knocked off Porter. His times keep coming down, so does his ranking.

3. Evan Landes, Mulvane

  • Results: 16:25 (3rd) at J.K. Gold Classic on 9/5; 16:36 (3rd) at Wamego Invitational; 16:39 (1st) at Chaparral Invitational on 9/19; 16:20 (5th) at Rim Rock Invite (Gold) on 9/26; 15:55 (1st) at Berean Invitational on 10/1; 16:09 (1st) at Circle Invitational on 10/9.
  • Last ranking: 2
  • Justification: I’m sure it wasn’t ideal running conditions on Friday to run in, but Landes once again turned in a solid time of 16:09 to win this race. I’m a little surprised by some of the times, but I’m sure this week Landes will go low once again.

4. Neil Metler, Derby

  • Results: 16:47 (1st) at Bishop Carroll Invitational on 9/5; 16:34 (1st) at Swather Special on 9/10; 17:15 (1st) at K.C. Turner Invitational on 9/16; 16:32 (15th) at Rim Rock Invite (Gold) on 9/26; 15:53 (2nd) at Cowboy Jamboree (6A) on 10/3; 15:42 (3rd) at El Dorado Invitational on 10/10.
  • Last ranking: 3
  • Justification: He is probably disappointed he wasn’t up with Porter and Sprague last week, but 15:42 is still a great time and Metler is poised to be one of the favorites going into the Class 6A state meet. Don’t pay so much attention to him dropping a spot, as Sprague was just too hard to keep down.

5. Nikki Trooien-Smith, Mulvane

  • Results: 16:20 (2nd) at J.K. Gold Classic on 9/3; 16:35 (2nd) at Wamego Invitational on 9/12; 16:55 (2nd) at Chaparral Invitational on 9/17; 16:29 (12th) at Rim Rock Invite (Gold) on 9/26; 16:06 (2nd) at Berean Invitational on 10/1; 16:32 (4th) at Circle Invitational on 10/9.
  • Last ranking: 4
  • Justification: Not sure what to make of his last race, a 16:32, which put him behind Murphy and Lockwood. I’m not ready to drop him for one bad race, so I’ll keep him ahead of both for this week. He’s the senior leader on that team, so he will bounce back.

6. John Murphy III, Wichita Warriors

  • Results: 17:23 (4th) at Bishop Carroll Invitational on 9/6; 17:27 (1st) at Redskin Classic (Fr./So.) on 9/12; 16:53 (8th) at Southeast Invitational on 9/19; 16:28 (1st) at Oxford Invitational on 9/24; 16:21 (2nd) at Circle Invitational on 10/9; 16:22 (5th) at El Dorado Invitational on 10/10.
  • Last week: N/R
  • Justification: If you read my story last week on Murphy III, you’ll know this isn’t a surprise. He ran two races in two days and beat Lockwood and NTS on Friday and then RMG on Saturday. That’s pretty dang impressive if you ask me.

7. Robbie Martinez-Garcia, Northwest

  • Results: 16:54 (2nd) at Bishop Carroll Invitational on 9/5; 17:13 (8th) at Emporia Invitational on 9/12; 16:40 (5th) at Southeast Invitational on 9/19; 17:13 (10th) at Rim Rock Invite (Crimson) on 9/26; 16:26 (8th) at Cowboy Jamboree (6A) on 10/3; 16:23 (6th) at El Dorado Invitational on 10/10.
  • Last ranking: 6
  • Justification: RMG once again improved his season-best time and I think he is still holding back due to pacing. I think he will continue to improve this week at City and I expect him to break out this week with a great time and a great race.

8. Nick Lockwood, Mulvane

  • Results: 17:23 (15th) at J.K. Gold Classic on 9/3; 17:53 (16th) at Wamego Invitational on 9/12; 17:45 (4th) at Chaparral Invitational on 9/17; 17:04 (32nd) at Rim Rock Invite (Gold) on 9/26; 16:13 (3rd) at Berean Invitational on 10/1; 16:22 (3rd) at Circle Invitational on 10/9.
  • Last ranking: 9
  • Justification: Lockwood continues his rise up the rankings after another strong week. He actually edged his teammate, Nikki Trooien-Smith, this time too. He’s built a pretty solid resume so far this season and it will be interesting to see if he can take control of that #2 spot on the team next week at league.

9. Brock Nooney, Campus

  • Results: 17:04 (8th) at J.K. Gold Classic on 9/5; 17:20 (10th) at Emporia Invitational on 9/12; 16:46 (6th) at Southeast Invitational on 9/19; 17:27 (56th) at Rim Rock Invite (Gold) on 9/26; 16:22 (5th) at Topeka Seaman on 10/3; 16:26 (7th) at El Dorado Invitational on 10/10.
  • Last ranking: N/R
  • Justification: This spot was being held by his teammate Bryant Kierns, but the last two weeks they have been going in opposite directions. Nooney has ran great the last two races and it appears he is starting to begin his peak.

10. Aaron Heil, East

  • Results: 17:04 (9th) at J.K. Gold Classic on 9/5; 17:39 (2nd) at North Invitational (Fr./So.) on 9/12; 17:19 (14th) at Southeast Invitational on 9/19; 17:19 (14th) at Rim Rock Invite (Crimson) on 9/26; 16:28 (8th) at El Dorado Invitational on 10/10.
  • Last ranking: N/R
  • Justification: I considered a lot of people for this final spot. Kissling, Kierns, Gutierrez and Wise were definitely in the running, but I felt like Heil’s race at El Dorado held some significance to it. Kissling is too much of a question at this point, Kierns hasn’t been as impressive the last two meets and Heil beat Gutierrez and Wise straight up this past week. Good enough for me.

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