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Midwest Region Boys Early Season Rankings 2022Published by
Illinois, Indiana Teams Sit Atop Midwest Boys Cross Country Rankings; Hinsdale (Central) Seeks Return To Top In Illinois; Center Grove and Carmel Add Firepower To Strong Lineups By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor Boys NXR Midwest Preview Three members of Hinsdale Central's national championship 4x800-meter relay team, led by anchor Daniel Watcke, are back this fall to try and make some more history on the trails. The Dale will try to win its first Illinois state cross country title since 2014 and could also have enough pieces to win the Nike Cross Midwest title as well. Watcke didn't race anything longer than a mile in the spring, but he anchored his team to a national title and all-time Illinois best in the 4x800 at Hayward Field (7:32.14). Aden Bandukwala and Michael Skora were also part of that winning effort. Success on that big stage may prove to be valuable experience as the Red Devils move into the cross country season. The Midwest seems to be shaping up as another contest between the top teams in Illinois and Indiana in the race for berths to the Nike Cross Nationals scheduled for Dec. 3 in Portland. Top teams from Ohio and Missouri aim to be factors as well, with Michigan essentially shut out due to state association rules. Center Grove of Indiana appears to have a chance to be something special, as well, with a low stick up front and solid depth. Ty Garrett, a Division 1 recruit for Wake Forest, transferred from Valor Christian CO, and his arrival could elevate the Trojans into one of the top teams in the region. It's possible that the top runner in the region, and also one of its best leaders, is Kole Mathison of Carmel, the top returner from last year's Eastbay Cross Country Championships (fifth). Mathison leads a team that scored an impressive 19 points and split 47 seconds on five scorers at the Hamilton County meet Saturday. Plainfield South of Illinois returns all five scorers from last year's state meet lineup and has the depth to be a factor for the state title. Mason of Ohio returns its 3-6 runners from a team that won the Ohio Division 1 title last fall. Grand Haven of Michigan returns five runners from its state meet lineup last year and could be a factor for the Michigan state title, led by Seth Norder and Nolan Clark. Hunter Jones from Benzie Central MI is also one of the top stories in the region and will try to win his fourth consecutive Division 3 state title in Michigan this fall. Andrew Hauser, the defending NXR Midwest individual champion, leads a young Rock Bridge MO team. 1. Hinsdale (Central) IL. The Dale finished fourth at NXR Midwest last year and returns important pieces to make a run at the title this fall. Watcke is mid-distance star with 4:12/1:50 credentials on the track and he showed some flashes of brilliance in cross country last fall before coming up a bit short of his goals at the end. Aden Bandukwala and Michael Skora are also veteran performers and among the five returning sub-4:30 1,600-meter runners in the program. With last year's state champion, Sandburg (Orland Park) in a rebuild, the Red Devils could have the pieces to contend for the 3A crown at Detweiller Park. The school last won in 2013-14. Kyle Doorhy, Jesse Gamboa and Grant Miller are all important pieces that can help the team reach its goals. 2. Center Grove IN.The Trojans already had a really good cast or returners coming back, including Griffin Hennessy, Parker Mimbela, and Gavin and Jarrett Rockwell. The arrival of Ty Garrett could help this team reach the national stage. Garrett was eighth in the Nike Outdoor Nationals 2,000-meter steeplechase final after two podium finishes in the Colorado state track championships in the 1,600 and 3,200 meters for Valor Christian. His presence could take Center Grove, which has never won a state title, into unchartered territory. 3. Carmel IN. The Greyhounds have enjoyed lots of success over the years under coach Colin Altevogt and he could have one of his best teams this fall. Kole Mathison is one of the top individuals in the country, the best Carmel runner since Ben Veatch, and a steady and motivating leader for a young team. Carmel's top five all ran under 16 minutes on a fast course at the Hamilton County meet on Saturday. Mathison is joined by Tony Provenzano, who has transferred in from Hopkins, Minn., where he was 11th in the Minnesota state meet last year. Senior Charles Leedke, sophomore Jack Capes and junior Thomas Biltimier give the team a solid pack. 4. Plainfield (South) IL. The argument for Plainfield (South) is pretty simple. All five scorers return from a team that finished seventh in the Illinois 3A state finals. Junior Camyn Viger is one of the top juniors in the state and he supports a group that includes Ethan Reynoso, Gavin Borger, Dylan Maloney and BJ Sorg. Viger is a rising talent and led the Cougars to a victory at the Normal West Invitational over the weekend. 5. Mason OH. The Comets are the reigning Division 1 champions in Ohio. The top two graduated but everyone else is back, including Keith Neuburger, Jerry Xu, Max Liao and Aidan Markich. Isaac Schachleiter adds additional depth to the lineup and rounds out a solid scoring five. Mason appears to have an inside track to another Ohio state title but will face challenges from Dublin Coffman, Hilliard Davidson and St. Xavier. WATCHLIST More news |
