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BOYS CROSS COUNTRY PREVIEWS: Pius loaded with veterans
By Bill Knust
It was just two years ago St. Pius X High’s boys cross country team boasted a squad full of experience and carried that to a fourth-place state finish in Class 2.
It looks rather promising this year for the Warriors as well as they return five of their six varsity runners, including five seniors who all have state experience. Seniors Frank Orallo, Chris Cahill, Michael Iske and Daniel McConnell have each been to state at least twice, with Orallo making the trip three times for the Warriors.
“The boys have high expectations for themselves — to finish with a state plaque (fourth or higher),” coach Richard Murphy said.
Last year, Pius finished second in one invitational and took third in three others. Cahill took 26th at state, pacing Pius to a 10th-place finish. In addition to the returning experience, Murphy expects some young bucks to make a stand.
“Three sophomores will enter the mix of possible varsity runners,” Murphy said. “David Stodden, who missed 2007 with a broken leg, Anthony Ibarra was our No. 5 runner in districts, and Drew Keefer worked himself hard during spring and summer.”
New conference does not worry Panthers
Park Hill South boys cross country coach Brad Banning is excited about his team joining the Suburban Big Six Conference, and he also hopes his team can achieve similar results to last season.
The Panthers won the Suburban Mid Six Conference at both the varsity and JV levels last year, placing all seven runners in all-conference position.
With five of their top seven runners back this year, Banning is thinking it could happen again.
“I hope they will live up to their potential,” he said. “We are in a new conference this year, so I hope to be challenging for the conference championship again.”
Returning starters for the Panthers are seniors Brady Jacobs, Parker Bryant and Robbie Bogle. Juniors Sean Fullerton and Kris Yelderman also return. Fullerton was a state qualifier last season, and an all-district performer.
The Panthers lost all-conference runners Jay Froude and Jake Burton, but Banning hopes the Panthers’ depth will make up for the loss.
“I hope that we will once again qualify as a team to sectionals and will have a good shot at sending at least three runners through to the state meet,” he said.
Oak Park led by strong senior class
Gone are household names like Will Hansen and Eric Sloss, but the Northmen have a slew of seniors ready to step in and make their names known as well. New head coach Kevin Torres said returning state qualifiers Matt Stull, James Schneider and Austin Linn – all seniors will carry the team this season. The Northmen finished sixth overall at the Class 4 state meet last season and won the Kansas City Metro Meet, the Suburban Big Seven Conference championship and the Class 4 District 8 cross country meet as well. A group of 11 seniors will try to make the same thing happen this season.
Hornets look to replace experienced runners
North Kansas City’s boys cross country team will have its work cut out for it this season. The Hornets graduated their top two runners, Branden Stilwell and Michael Grimwade, and this year they have a lot of youth in their program, coach Chris McCullough said. That is why he is hoping seniors Justin Alakayleh, Darrick King and Patrick Waite can provide some experience, along with Martin Estrada.
“Two runners completed 500 miles of running this summer, Justin Alakayleh and Martin Estrada,” McCullough said. “They will be the leaders of this year’s team.”
Sports writer Bill Knust can be reached at 389-6605 or billknust@npgco.com.
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It looks rather promising this year for the Warriors as well as they return five of their six varsity runners, including five seniors who all have state experience. Seniors Frank Orallo, Chris Cahill, Michael Iske and Daniel McConnell have each been to state at least twice, with Orallo making the trip three times for the Warriors.
“The boys have high expectations for themselves — to finish with a state plaque (fourth or higher),” coach Richard Murphy said.
Last year, Pius finished second in one invitational and took third in three others. Cahill took 26th at state, pacing Pius to a 10th-place finish. In addition to the returning experience, Murphy expects some young bucks to make a stand.
“Three sophomores will enter the mix of possible varsity runners,” Murphy said. “David Stodden, who missed 2007 with a broken leg, Anthony Ibarra was our No. 5 runner in districts, and Drew Keefer worked himself hard during spring and summer.”
New conference does not worry Panthers
Park Hill South boys cross country coach Brad Banning is excited about his team joining the Suburban Big Six Conference, and he also hopes his team can achieve similar results to last season.
The Panthers won the Suburban Mid Six Conference at both the varsity and JV levels last year, placing all seven runners in all-conference position.
With five of their top seven runners back this year, Banning is thinking it could happen again.
“I hope they will live up to their potential,” he said. “We are in a new conference this year, so I hope to be challenging for the conference championship again.”
Returning starters for the Panthers are seniors Brady Jacobs, Parker Bryant and Robbie Bogle. Juniors Sean Fullerton and Kris Yelderman also return. Fullerton was a state qualifier last season, and an all-district performer.
The Panthers lost all-conference runners Jay Froude and Jake Burton, but Banning hopes the Panthers’ depth will make up for the loss.
“I hope that we will once again qualify as a team to sectionals and will have a good shot at sending at least three runners through to the state meet,” he said.
Oak Park led by strong senior class
Gone are household names like Will Hansen and Eric Sloss, but the Northmen have a slew of seniors ready to step in and make their names known as well. New head coach Kevin Torres said returning state qualifiers Matt Stull, James Schneider and Austin Linn – all seniors will carry the team this season. The Northmen finished sixth overall at the Class 4 state meet last season and won the Kansas City Metro Meet, the Suburban Big Seven Conference championship and the Class 4 District 8 cross country meet as well. A group of 11 seniors will try to make the same thing happen this season.
Hornets look to replace experienced runners
North Kansas City’s boys cross country team will have its work cut out for it this season. The Hornets graduated their top two runners, Branden Stilwell and Michael Grimwade, and this year they have a lot of youth in their program, coach Chris McCullough said. That is why he is hoping seniors Justin Alakayleh, Darrick King and Patrick Waite can provide some experience, along with Martin Estrada.
“Two runners completed 500 miles of running this summer, Justin Alakayleh and Martin Estrada,” McCullough said. “They will be the leaders of this year’s team.”
Sports writer Bill Knust can be reached at 389-6605 or billknust@npgco.com.