PREP X-C PREVIEW: 5 boys runners to watch

Published 12:01 am Sunday, September 18, 2011

BlakeNelson

Jackson | Sr.

2010 recap: Placed 12th in the Class 4A state meet in 15 minutes, 51 seconds

2011 outlook: Ask cross country/track coach Eric Hruschka for one word to describe his star-runner and he says, “talent.” Nelson has boatloads of it and Hruschka said he may be the most talented he’s coached. That includes Grant Grosvenor, who graduated last spring with school records and a partial track scholarship in tow. Nelson is the unquestioned leader of the team, which returns four seniors , all of whom finished in the top 100 at the state meet. Nelson was the 4A district 1 champion as a sophomore and is a two-time First-Team All-Wesco performer. “He’s had a pretty huge first three years,” Hruschka said. “He’s done more in three years than most kids do in their career.” Nelson has already received full-scholarship offers (rare in running sports) from several small colleges and recruiting attention from Pac-12, Big-12, Big-10 and SEC schools.

MattReith

Oak Harbor | Sr.

2010 recap: Placed 19th in the Class 3A state meet in 16 minutes, 14 seconds

2011 outlook: Head coach Eric Peterson says that Reith has always been overshadowed by great runners that have been older and more experience than him in years past. Over those years, Reith watched them, learning what it took to be great and Peterson says that Reith is starting to bring all of that together. This year as a senior, other runners will be looking to Reith as a leader and Peterson says that Reith “runs on all heart.” Peterson said he hopes that Reith can set a good example for the younger runner this season, as well as crack the top-10 at the Class 3A state meet. “When he runs a great race, it’s really cool as a coach to just sit back and watch a piece of art unfold,” Peterson said.

MitchellMontgomery

Cedarcrest | Sr.

2010 recap: Placed 25th in the Class 2A state meet in 16 minutes, 33 seconds

2011 outlook: Coach Bruce McDowell says that Montgomery has shown great improvement each year of his high-school career, dropping his time about 60 seconds each year for the past two years. Montgomery was the No.1 runner for Cedarcrest in every meet last season, helping lead the Red Wolves to their first state meet as a team in school history where they placed sixth. McDowell said he expects Montgomery to be one of the top runners in the district this year. “If all things go well, he should be on the podium at the state championships on two occasions, one as an individual (for placing in the top-12) and one as a team member (for placing in the top-4).”

HapEmmons

King’s | Sr.

2010 recap: Placed fourth in the Class 1A state meet in 15 minutes, 53 seconds

2011 outlook: Emmons (below) may have placed fourth a year ago at the Class 1A state meet, but coach Rod Wilcox said his time was good enough for the seventh-fastest time in 1A state meet history. “Needless to say, the competition was loaded with four of the seven best all-time running in one year,” Wilcox said. Five of the top six placers last year were seniors, which should make Emmons one of the favorites to win this year’s state meet. Emmons is the son of a Lieutenant Colonel and he had a Colonel for a grandfather, so Wilcox says discipline has never been a problem for Emmons. “He trains like he is getting ready for battle and takes a military determination into races. He is army strong and never gives up,” Wilcox said.

RyanBradford

Kamiak | Jr.

2010 recap: Placed 38th in the Class 4A state meet in 16 minutes, 18 seconds

2011 outlook: Coach Charley LeWarne said that Bradford comes from a soccer background, but this past spring, chose track over cross country, which should help his performance this season. “Ryan is tough, methodical and analytical of his performances and what it takes to improve,” LeWarne said. LeWarne added that Bradford built a solid mileage base over the summer to add to his running resume. Bradford will have a solid core of young, but experience teammates for him to run with and challenge him throughout the season. LeWarne said he hopes that Bradford’s determination and success will help the entire team’s success this season.