2017 Tri-State Cross Country All-Area Preview
Jared Schmidt - Tri-State Cross Country Coaches All-Area Committee
It's been close to a decade since the Tri-State Area has had the caliber of Cross Country Runners that it currently has. The area is littered with returning and potential all-state talent in both Illinois and Missouri at all division levels. Whether you're interested in the girls or the boys, it's fair to say that anyone interested in running should be giddy with excitement for the potential the area holds this Fall. With many of the area's top locals squaring off on multiple occasions throughout the season, it will be exciting to see who rises to the top in November.
Here is a preview of the area's top local girls and boys cross country runners to watch this Fall:
Girls (alphabetically):
Ella Borrowman, Jr., QND- Quincy (Notre Dame): Borrowman has been a major piece of the QND puzzle since her 1st day on the team. The now upperclassman will be an important part to the Lady Raiders success this year as a leader on and off the course. The 2 time All-Area 1st team selection will team up with fellow Junior Lindsey Ayo to lead QND in what looks to be a very promising 2017.
Lydia Kurfman, Jr., QHS- With the graduation of Charly Wollaston, Kurfman will single handedly take the reins of the Blue Devil program and lead it into 2017. Kurfman had a great Spring track season after qualifying for the State XC Meet in 2016, running a PR of 11:10 for 3200M on the track and qualifying for the IHSA 3A State Meet where she placed 20th overall. Kurfman also had a strong summer placing Runner-Up at the USATF Jr. Olympics meet in the 2000M Steeplechase. A return trip to Detweiller in November and an All-State medal are likely on Kurfman's radar for the Fall of 2017
Claudia Nichols, So., Hannibal- After a stellar Freshman XC Campaign, Nichols will look to build off of her 34th place State Meet finish from last fall. You can bet she will also look to improve on her finish from last years EMO Conference meet where she placed 2nd overall. Look for Nichols to be a major player in the individual races at the QND Running Raider and QHS Tom Oakley Invitational's.
Katelyn Robbins, Jr., Liberty- The 2015 Tri-State All-Area Girls Runner of the Year returns for her junior campaign after yet another strong Spring track season. Robbins placed 9th at the IHSA Class 1A State Meet in the 3200M and just missed an All-State medal when she placed 10th in the 1600M. Running PR's of 11:18 for 3200M and 5:11 for 1600M in the Spring of 2017 show that Robbins was in fine form. She looks to build off of her 2016 XC campaign where she placed 14th individually at the IHSA Class 1A State Meet and place herself in the hunt for a top 5 finish at Detweiller in November.
Maya Stovall, Jr., Macomb- The 2016 Tri-State Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year will return as the top local in 2017. Her 11th place finish at the 2016 IHSA Class 1A State Meet was the top finish by any local runner. Stovall had a strong Spring where she placed 18th in the IHSA Class 2A 3200M. Maya also qualified for the 1600M, but missed making it out of the tough 2A prelims. With many top individuals graduating from the top of Class 1A, Stovall will look to place herself among the top individuals this Fall at Detweiller.
Kaela Wellman, Jr., Liberty- The Eagle Junior had another strong 2016 XC season that netted her a 2nd All-Area team nod. Helping the Eagles land their 1st state trophy in girls school history with her 44th place finish was just the start of her year. In the Spring of 2017 Wellman placed 4th in the IHSA Class 1A High Jump. She will look to use that experience to propel her in the Fall of 2017 and help lead the Eagles back to Detweiller Park.
Kara Williams, So., Pittsfield- 2016 was a learning experience for Williams, but you wouldn't know it from her racing. She likely returns to 2017 with some big goals to obtain after narrowly missing at trip to the IHSA State Meet when she placed 13th overall at the Elmwood Sectional. That small margin will likely have her with sights set on Detweiller Park in the Fall. Look for her to continue to make a name for herself and climb the ranks of the local XC scene in 2017 helping lead the Lady Saukees along the way.
Returning All-Area Honorable Mentions:
Clark County- Madison Kauth, So.
Highland- Makayla Dickerson, Sr.
Liberty- Courtney Riley, Jr.
South Shelby- Meredith O'Neil, Jr.
QHS- Valerie Howerton, Jr., Kendall Marks, Sr.
QND- Lindsey Ayo, Jr.
West Hancock- Zarra Humphry, Jr.
Boys (Alphabetically):
Jacob Bryan, Sr., Illini West- After running most of last fall with an iron deficiency, Bryan finally got his health figured out and managed a 29th place finish at the 2016 IHSA Class 1A State Meet, a finish that was less than what it should have been due to the illness. With that in the past and a Spring that saw him pull off one of the most impressive 4 race days in Charleston history (4x800, 800, 1600, 4x4) along with a team State Championship, look for Bryan to explode this Fall and place himself in the top 10 at Detweiller in November.
Dalton Ellingboe, Sr., West Hancock- The 2 time All-Area 1st teamer looks to close out his Senior year with his first state meet trip. After narrowly missing trips to State in both XC and the 3200M this last Spring, Ellingboe is surely motivated to show the area what he's capable of and end his Senior season in Peoria.
Nathan Frazee, So., Clark County- Frazee's 2016 Freshman campaign was arguably one of the strongest by anyone in recent memory. His lowest finish in 2016 was 6th at the Missouri State Championships. To repeat his 2016 season would be an impressive feat. If he continues to improve, the sky is the limit for the young Sophomore in 2017. You can bet he hopes to continue to progress and be in the top pack in November in Jefferson City.
Zach Haley, Sr., QND- The star wrestler turned heads in 2016 when he put himself near the top of the local running scene. The West Central Conference individual champion turned in an impressive performance at the Elmwood Sectional to earn an individual trip to the 2016 IHSA State Meet where he finished 59th overall. Haley likely has high expectations and goals for 2017, including an improved finish at Detweiller Park in November.
Devin Neff, Sr., Mark Twain- As consistent as anyone in 2016, Neff continues to improve on a year to year basis. A continuation of his uphill trajectory could net Neff some major dividends at the end of the 2017 season. He finished 47th as a sophomore at the Missouri State Meet and upped the ante in 2016 with a 15th place finish. Neff should be among the top 10 this fall locally and in the State of Missouri, based off his previous results, and should make Neff highly motivated to finish his Senior season on a positive note.
Ayden Nichols, Sr., Hannibal- The 2015 Tri-State Runner of the Year had a rough 2016, but still managed top finishes at the major local meets to keep his place among the local elites. With his injuries hopefully behind him, Nichols will look to regain his 2015 form and finish his Senior season on a positive note and to show 2015 wasn't a fluke. If he rebounds, it could be a big 2017 season for the Hannibal senior.
Eli Ten Eyck, Sr., Pittsfield- Your 2016 Runner of the Year returns to defend his spot at the top of the local XC scene. It will be a tough task with the target squarely on his back now after last season, but his 2nd place finish in the State 1600m this past Spring shows that Eli has what it takes when it comes to big time racing. With a strong group that will be nipping at this heals, it will be fun to watch him progress from his previous form. Improving on his 11th place finish at the 2016 IHSA State Meet will be top priority for Ten Eyck this Fall.
Returning All-Area Honorable Mentions:
Bowling Green- Max Brandenburger, Jr.
Clark County- Cole Kirchner, Sr.
Highland- Josh French, Sr.
Illini West- Dalton Melvin, Sr.
Liberty-Mason Tate, Jr.
QHS- Noah Fleer, Jr.
QND- Alex Mast, Jr.