Five things to watch at Missouri state cross country

… at Missouri state cross country1 Harrisonville contender

The Oak Hills Golf Center in Jefferson City is a lovely backdrop for state cross country, but the only view for runners in the Class 3 boys’ race may be the back of Maksim Korolev’s blue jersey. After placing as the state runner-up a year ago, this season the Harrisonville senior has won all seven meets he has raced in and has shattered four course records, according to his coach Layne Anderson. Korolev’s triumphs include the prestigious Rim Rock Farm XC Challenge and the KC Metro meet.

2 Broncos aim high

Lee’s Summit North’s boys felt they ran one of their worst 5K races of the season last week at the Class 4 sectional. Oh yeah, and they won. High expectations have followed the Broncos all season, especially after the boys traveled to Oregon in September for the Nike Pre Nationals and finished third among elite west coast teams. Now back home, LS North hopes to rule Missouri.

3 Bulldogs are back

Locked out from the state championship by just four points, the Kearney girls return with several veterans and new runners who can push the team over the hump. A year ago, Kearney placed as the Class 3 runner-up, but Sami Berry and Jasmine Edwards should repeat as all-state runners and keep the team score low.

4Tough competition

Lee’s Summit West junior Chelsey Phoebus has won six of the seven meets she has entered this season. On any other state championship course, she would be considered the favorite. However, Phoebus, and the rest of the field, will be chasing Parkway Central’s Emily Sisson. The reigning girls’ Class 4 state champ recently won a 5K race in 18 minutes, 4 seconds. If Sisson can duplicate that speed, she should soar past the competition.

5 Best of the rest

Don’t forget the small-class runners. The West Platte and St. Pius X boys and Cass-Midway girls all had young teams finish second last season and could hold steady or even leap to the top spot this Saturday.

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