Wichita cross country preview: Here are the top boys and girls teams and runners
Cross country season is just a week away.
With the season set to begin Sept. 2, top high school boys and girls cross country runners in the Wichita area are geared up to compete again.
Here is a look at the top 10 boys and girls runners and teams in the Wichita area heading into the 2020 season:
Top 10 boys runners
1. Carson McEachern, Bishop Carroll, Jr.
McEachern is a returning All-Metro selection who finished in fourth place at state.
2. Erik Enriquez, Kapaun Mt. Carmel, Sr.
Enriquez had an amazing City League season and had the second best state time of those returning in the area.
3. Tanner Lindahl, Buhler, Jr.
A state champion two years ago, Lindahl is looking to recapture that form.
4. Craig LaBrue, Winfield, Sr.
LaBrue will be called upon the lead the Vikings after a fourth-place finish.
5. Samuel McDavitt, Andover, Sr.
An outstanding track runner, McDavitt is looking to put the pieces together for a strong Andover team.
6. Brett Schoenhofer, Andover Central, Sr.
Schoenhofer is looking to prove the top runner in the city comes from the opposite side of town after a 13th-place showing at the last state meet.
7. Collin Oswalt, Hutchinson Central Christian, Sr.
One of the top small classification runners in Kansas, Oswalt finished in second in place in Class 1A.
8. Kadyn Dohlman, Maize, Sr. (16:48.7)
Maize has a tradition of great runners. Dohlman will be a key cog to maintaining that tradition.
9. Elijah Clark, Maize South, Sr.
Maize South finished runner-up in Class 5A last year. Clark will have to be the leader of the Mavs.
10. Gabriel Maki, Andover, Jr.
Maki is a standout wrestler, but he also finished in 27th place at the Class 5A meet last year.
Top 10 boys teams
1. Maize South Mavericks
Coming off of a runner-up finish in Class 5A, the Mavs don’t bring back a ton of experience, but they have to be No. 1 in the area.
2. Andover Trojans
Andover finished one spot behind Maize South in 5A last year. The Trojans lose their state champion runner but bring some big names back.
3. Buhler Crusaders
Buhler is the defending Class 4A champion. Although the competition may not be as stiff, the Crusaders proved they belong at the top.
4. Bishop Carroll Golden Eagles
Carroll has arguably the top returning runner in the area. With some help from the supporting cast, a state title isn’t impossible.
5. Winfield Vikings
Winfield is a darkhorse candidate in Class 4A after a fourth-place finish last year. The Vikings have a standout senior to lean on, too.
6. Wichita East Blue Aces*
If East gets to run, the Aces have a lot of talent to replace. This season will be a testament to the program’s staying power if activities continue in USD 259.
7. Clearwater Indians
Clearwater finished in sixth place last year in Class 4A. The Indians bring back some of their top runners and look to make a jump.
8. Berean Academy Warriors
Berean is almost certainly the best small school in the area in cross country. The Warriors are coming off of a Class 1A state championship.
9. Circle Thunderbirds
Circle lost a Division I runner and will need production from those with little experience.
10. Newton Railroaders
Newton finished in 12th place in Class 5A last year. The Railers aren’t too far away from contending with Maize for a league championship.
Top 10 girls runners
1. Hope Jackson, Bishop Carroll, Jr.
Jackson ran 18:17.9 and won the individual Class 5A championship last year. She is the undisputed No. 1.
2. Alexa Rios, Maize South, Sr.
Rios is a two-time All-Metro selection who finished in third place in Class 5A last year.
3. Addie Curtis, Kapaun Mt. Carmel, So.
Curtis earned All-Metro status as a freshman last year after finishing in seventh place in Class 5A.
4. Eva McKinzie, Wichita East, Jr.*
If McKinzie gets to run this year, she is poised to return to her All-Metro form. She came in 19th place in 6A.
5. Zoie Ecord, Maize, Jr.
Ecord will be looking to break 19:30.0 at state this year after finishing in 10th place in 5A last year.
6. Skye Kroskey, Wichita Northwest, Jr.
Kroskey was one second off of breaking 20 minutes last year, finishing in 18th place. She will be hoping she gets to run in 2020.
7. Jadyn Pavlik, Eisenhower, Sr.
Pavlik came to life at state last year, finishing in 16th place at 19:49.2 in Class 5A.
8. Elizabeth Vetter, Andover, Jr.
Vetter holds the keys to Andover’s success in 2020. She finished in 17th place last year’s state meet.
9. Kendall Coombes, Douglass, Sr.
Coombes had a strong state meet last year, finishing in 12th place in Class 3A at 20:45.9.
10. Chloe Inskeep, Hutchinson, So.
Inskeep jumped on the scene as a freshman in Class 6A. She finished inside the top 30 at 19:58.8.
Top 10 girls teams
1. Maize South Mavericks
Maize South is still a ways away from contending with the Kansas City powers, but the Mavericks finished in third place in 5A last year.
2. Bishop Carroll Golden Eagles
With Jackson on the roster, all things are possible for Carroll. The Eagles finished in fifth place as a team at the 5A state meet.
3. Buhler Crusaders
Buhler’s girls, like the boys, won the Class 4A title last year. The Crusaders were one of two teams to achieve the sweep.
4. Wichita East Blue Aces*
East has some strong City League contenders returning if USD 259 allows activities. The Blue Aces finished in 10th place in 6A at state.
5. Maize Eagles
Maize will lean on its All-Metro star, Ecord, to carry it into the top five of the Class 5A team standings at state this year.
6. Andover Trojans
The Trojans have a bit of potential on this year’s roster. If Andover can get production from its inexperienced runners, it can contend.
7. Derby Panthers
Derby finished in 11th place at the Class 6A state meet last year and will be looking to crack the top 10 in 2020.
8. Augusta Orioles
Augusta finished the year with a sixth-place finish in Class 4A last year. The Orioles bring back a strong junior class.
9. Mulvane Wildcats
Mulvane is building off of an AVCTL IV championship. The Wildcats bring back enough talent to win another, it seems.
10. Berean Academy Warriors
Berean was one spot away from completing a sweep of the Class 1A state titles. The Warriors are title-hunting.