Big River Rankings #7 - 11.13.06
FINAL TEAM RANKINGS
* It's been a blast doing these rankings all year. We hope you've enjoyed them. Things shook themselves out pretty clearly at State as they always do so none of what follows should be too much of a surprise. Thanks to everyone who read these all year and best of luck to those of you preparing for the post-season and to those of you who are ready to start winter training for Track!
** St. Louis : Don't forget about our WINTER DISTANCE RUNNING CAMP
(last week's ranking in parenthesis)
TOP 10 GIRLS TEAMS
#1) LIBERTY (3) – The girls rankings have been much tougher to compute all year long and the girls from Liberty proved why. They up-ended previous #1 Jeff City by beating them at each scoring position. Their winning score of 110 might be considered high by some but given the number of very good teams in this year's race it was an outstanding performance. Also, Liberty 's win could hardly be called an upset. They had a superb year, winning Conference, District and Sectional Titles on their way to the State Championship.
#2) ROCKWOOD SUMMIT (4) – What Liberty fans may not have been ready for as they watched the runners stream through the finish line was the number of Rockwood Summit jerseys that were at the front of the pack. The Falcons were the ones who gave the Pink and Blue clad ladies of Liberty the biggest challenge by putting four runners in the top 36. In fact, through four Summit led Liberty by 12 but in the end Liberty senior Rachel Lee pulled it out for her squad by finishing 65th . Look out for Summit next year as they are clearly the pre-season pick to win Class 4 as they return their all of their top 6.
#3) JEFFERSON CITY (1) – The Lady Jays came in ranked #1 and #5 in the Heartland and though they finished third here have nothing to hang their heads about. The simple fact is they got beat by two great squads and still finished ahead of some solid teams. The results seem to show that each of Jeff City's scoring five finished a few spots back of where they would have liked. Not a terrible race by any means, just not quite as well as some predicted.
#4) BLUE SPRINGS (7) – Blue Springs was a tough team to figure out all year. We had them as high as #2 (preseason) and as low as honorable mention. Of course maybe that says more about us and less about them! Anyway, fourth in Class 4 was a very good showing for them. It is always tough to be the defending Champions and to bring home a State Trophy for the second year in a row is always a huge accomplishment.
#5) MARQUETTE (2) – Much like Jeff City it seems as if Marquette didn't have a bad day, just not quite as good as good of a day as they had had earlier in the year. Of course, they did have the Individual Champ in Hilary Orf which surely softened the blow of just missing out on a trophy. When you plug in all the times of all the runners from all the classes (did you follow that?) Marquette actually jumps ahead of Blue Springs but there are too many questions when you do that so we'll rank them 5.
#6) WEST PLAINS (10) – Ah, the Zizzers. We knew they wouldn't let us down. We picked them to win Class 3 and they did even though they had to fight off a tough Notre Dame De Sion bunch to do it. Brittani Johnson set the tone as she ran away with the Individual Title and on the strength of four All-Staters they got the job done by 11 points.
#7) KICKAPOO (6) – Sixth in Class 4, the ladies from Kickapoo showed the strength of the Ozark Conference and end the year ranked just behind Conference foe West Plains. Led by a sophomore and a freshman look out for them next year.
#8) HERCULANEUM (NR) – We can't say enough good things about this bunch. They had hung around 10th all year and were always on our radar, but it is tough to figure where Class 2 teams stack up until you can compare times directly. Well, put their times in Class 3 and they would have won and put them in Class 4 and they would have been around seventh. With West Plains' Johnson up front though we think the Zizzers would beat them in a race with everyone. Still, eighth is a great final spot and their 32 point total is an incredibly low Championship score no matter what Class you are in.
#9) LINDBERGH (NR) – This squad kind of slipped in under the radar after finishing third at Sectionals. We suspected their tight pack might bode well at State however and sure enough it did. The Flyers had a 67 second spread and also had the second fastest seventh runner of any team in Class 4 which is a testament to their depth.
#10) NOTRE DAME DE SION (NR) – Yet another team that bounced around in the rankings all year. An 11 point margin separated them from defending their Class 3 Title against West Plains but this group had a great run. They return five of their top seven as well so we expect them to be in it to win it again a year from now.
***HONORABLE MENTION:
St. Teresa's Academy (9), Eureka (NR), Lebanon (5)
TOP 10 BOYS TEAMS
#1) POTOSI (1) – 16 points. Three under 16:00 . Fastest average time ever ( 16:00 ). Should we go on? In all seriousness, it is not easy to come out and perform to everyone's expectations when everyone's expectations are as high as they were for these guys. Short of Thebeau breaking the course record (which is a lot to ask when the record belongs to Matt Tegenkamp) we just don't know how much more this team could have done. Undoubtedly, the 2006 Potosi boys are the greatest team in the history of Missouri Cross Country.
#2) FORT ZUMWALT SOUTH (2) – Would Potosi have beaten FZS if they had run in the same race? Yes, but not by all that much. Point being that this is one heck of a team as well. Their 16:17 average is now the second best team average ever (behind Potosi ) and to go 1-4-7 in Class 4 is a serious feat. One last note about this squad; toward the end of the year there were questions about whether or not their five man could finish high enough for them to hold off some of the deeper teams. Well, Scott Towers not only did that but he finished 72nd and was the 3rd best five man in the race. Great job to him and the whole FZS team on a great season.
#3) SLUH (3) – This team has been solidly in the third slot since our second set of rankings. Some, including us, thought they might have a shot at the Class 4 Title depending on how things shook out. FZS squashed that notion, but the Jr. Bills still had a great day and brought home their second trophy in a row, this one of the 2nd place variety. This squad also positions itself as the favorite for next year's Class 4 crown as it returns four from this year's top seven including 13th placer John Clohisy.
#4) LEBANON (6) – Though the boys ranking held much more true-to-form than the girls ranking there was one surprise. The Lebanon team placing third was a bit of a shocker to maybe everyone except themselves. Even though they are a young squad they ran with the poise of seasoned veterans and moved through the field as a tight pack finishing with the best spread in the field (41 seconds) and the best five man (51st ). If SLUH is the Class 4 favorite next year then these guys are next in line as they too return four from this year's third place squad.
#5) CBC (5) – The Cadets scored one more point than we predicted up front as Zumwalt South's Kyle Rood outdueled Dan Quigley for the win. Still Quigley's incredible second place run ( 15:44 ) and junior Phil Bascio's 10th place finish gave them the expected big 1-2 punch necessary for a trophy finish. In fact, they were 12 points ahead of SLUH through four and beat them man-to-man at every number to that point but did not quite have the depth to finish them off. A very solid year for this bunch and they were well-deserving of a trophy.
#6) ROCK BRIDGE (NR) – If Lebanon was surprise number one than these guys were surprise number two. Though they had been ranked as high as fourth in our rankings earlier in the year they looked like they might be on the downslide after a fourth place finish at Sectionals. Two things; Number one their Sectional proved to be the toughest by far after placing all four of its qualifying teams in the top seven. Number two they showed up when it counted and that's what it's all about. Nobody remembers what you do in September or even October. It's what you do the first weekend in November that goes down in the record books and they had a great day.
#7) LEE'S SUMMIT NORTH (4) – LSN was a team that many expected to come home with a trophy and some even predicted an upset win. In the end, despite having an outstanding year they came up a little short at State. It happens and it is never easy to deal with but this team has a lot to be proud of as they were the best team in Kansas City all year long and overall they took another step toward becoming a true cross country powerhouse program. They'll be back.
#8) JEFFERSON CITY (NR) – As mentioned above these guys came out of the super Sectional that included FZS, Lebanon and Rock Bridge . Like Rock Bridge they showed up and had a great day at State. Their top two runners, Derek Wiseman and Jerrod Anderson, finished higher than expected at 17 and 18, and that one-two punch is really what separated them from the teams behind them.
#9) OAK PARK (8) – They toiled around this spot most of the year. Eighth place in Class 4 was a solid showing for this team. We mention it a lot but they lacked a one-two punch. That's what you need to finish at the very top. A good day though for a good team.
#10) BLUE SPRINGS (9) – Pretty much true-to-form for these guys. They had a nice year. We had them ranked just behind Oak Park going in and they finished just behind them. This squad will have a top contender next year in this year's 12 th placer, Phillip Hickman. That always helps.
***HONORABLE MENTION:
Marquette (7), West Plains (NR), Liberty (NR)
INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS
*** Just a note on how we did these; they are simply the rank order of the athletes based on their times at State. After all, State is the race that everyone is preparing for all year. That seems the most logical way to do it.
TOP 15 GIRLS
#1) Brittani Johnson, JR, West Plains – A wire-to-wire number one ranking for the now 2-time State Cross Country Champ. Her 19:01 was the fastest time of the day and she won the Class 3 race by 37 seconds. Her season has been very solid and if she races at Foot Locker she will have an outside shot at a top ten finish if she can regain the form she had when she ran 18:42 at State a year ago.
#2) Hilary Orf, JR, Marquette – We had her ranked at #2 pre-season and after her big win at Forest Park , but a down race at Rim Rock put her behind Ashley Mark on the ol' form charts. Orf threw the form charts out the window at State, taking command of the race in the second mile and pushing hard all the way to the line. She'll now have a chance to be a two-time State Champ next fall.
#3) Brandi Gervais, SR, Waynesville – Very impressed all year long by this senior. She moved steadily through the rankings with a high of #4 heading into State. She backed that up and then some by running a very strong race that saw her finish only four seconds back of Orf in Class 4.
#4) Monica Noble, SR, Francis Howell North – We could say pretty much the identical thing about Noble that we did about Gervais. The two of them battled back and forth all the way up Firehouse, flew down the big downhill before making the turn for home and then had a great duel to the finish. Great to see seniors go out on such a high note.
#5) Terry Phillips, SR, St. Mary's ( Independence ) – Dominating performance to capture the Class 2 Crown. Her 19:13 was the fifth fastest time of the day and her 45 second margin of victory was the biggest in any Class. We apologize for missing her in our rankings this year, though internet banter says she was injured for a while. Either way, she ends the year on a great note and is clearly deserving of the #5 ranking.
#6) Ashley Mark, JR, Lee's Summit North – We had her as the Class 4 favorite after wins at Conference, District and Sectionals and having beaten Orf at Rim Rock. Though her goal was probably to win a fourth place finish is nothing to hang your head about. Plus, she's only a junior so she'll get another crack at it next year.
#7) Elizabeth Keaveny, JR, St. Teresa's Academy – Keaveny had slipped to #14 heading into State but had been as high as fourth. As we've said it is tough to rank based on District and Sectional results because you don't always know who's holding back. Whatever the case, she looked great at State and along with Mark and Orf should battle for the Class 4 Title next year.
#8) Lauren Carr, SR, Liberty – This senior was rock solid for the State Champions from Liberty . Her sixth place individual finish spurred her squad to the Class 4 Title, a race which they won by only six points so every place mattered. Great senior year for Carr.
#9) Mary Goldkamp, SR, McCluer North – Goldkamp was injured for a major portion of the year and had only been running about 4 weeks leading into State. Her seventh place finish, considering her troubles, was an outstanding accomplishment and a testament to the toughness of a runner who has been All State all four years and never lower than 12th .
#10) Brittany Moreland, SO, Cape Central – The top sophomore on the list, Moreland really had a very good year and is now poised to be a threat for the next two as well.
#11) Marlee Tegenkamp, Lee's Summit – Something told us this runner might finish pretty high up on the list. Her ninth place finish at State was her best race of the year. It's always the sign of a champion to run your best at the Championship Meets. Along with Moreland, they are the super sophs on the girls side.
#12) Aimee Bonte, JR, Rockwood Summit – Very solid runner all year. In fact, State was her first race in which she did not finish in the top three. She may do just that next year though as her and her Falcon teammates are the early line favorites to take home the Class 4 Title.
#13) Asenath NaAman, SR, Jefferson City – We had NaAman ranked 3rd heading into State and we still think that she was deserving of such a spot. But State is what it is; there are tons of great runners and not everyone can have their best day. Still, NaAman was a Sectional Champion where she beat Gervais and Noble and had a great Senior season overall.
#14) Kelsey Rich, FR, Rockwood Summit - Surprisingly it has taken all the way to #14 to find our top freshman. Often on the girls side there are a couple of freshman who place very high. Rich was the top frosh this time around with a 12 th place finish in Class 4. Yet another example of someone who ran her absolute best race when it counted the most.
#15) Alyssa Allison, SO, Festus – Ranked #12 going in, Allison had the daunting task of facing Johnson in the Class 3 girls race. She basically let Johnson go early and set off to secure 2nd place. A feat she accomplished with a solid 19:38 clocking.
* Sorry to those not on the list. We wish we could put everyone on here but there are only so many hours in the day. Great job ladies!
TOP 15 BOYS
#1) Josh Thebeau, SR, Potosi – What can you say? Big wins at Forest Park , Hancock , Chile Pepper and of course was the Class 3 State Champion. His 15:37 ranks him second all-time on the tough Missouri State course. What he does in the postseason will likely determine where he ranks all time in terms of high school career accomplishments and it is almost assuredly top five. We certainly like his chances to qualify for the Foot Locker Finals.
#2) Kyle Rood, SR, Fort Zumwalt South – This kid ran an absolutely perfect race at State. Watching it you would have thought he was a professional runner having raced for ten years. In fact, he didn't even run full-time until his junior year. His Class 4 title was hard-fought and well-deserved as he avenged an earlier defeat by kicking away from CBC's Dan Quigley over the last 400 meters for a six-second win and the third fastest time in the history of the State course.
#3) Dan Quigley, SR, CBC – Who would have thought that 15:44 would be second place in Class 4 this year? Quigley took charge of the race in the second mile and pushed the pace well under 5 minutes for that mile before leading Rood and Rock Bridge's Phillip King up Firehouse Hill and into the race's final 800 meters. In the end, it was Rood's kick that triumphed but Quigley's race still ranks as one of the best ever and along with Rood, Thebeau and Mathis could find himself in San Diego the second weekend in December as a Foot Locker Finalist.
#4) Josh Mathis, SR, Potosi – If you're talking all-time best Missouri cross country careers this guys is right up there. He now owns the fourth and ninth fastest times of all time on the State course. Former West Plains All-American Chris Zinn is the only other runner with two times in the top 25. Mathis also holds the distinction of being the only runner to beat Thebeau this year which he did with an outstanding 15:10 at the Southern Stampede (if you don't count Districts where the team came in together). All-in-all an incredible career and we still have Foot Locker and Nike Team Nationals to go!
#5) Jacob Swearingen, SO, Potosi – WOW. Is this true? Did a sophomore really run 15:52 ? Yes he did. He stuck to his teammate Mathis all the way until they turned the corner and headed up the final straight to the finish. He looked smooth the entire way and now has the tag of best returner for next year.
#6) Phillip King, SR, Rock Bridge – An absolutely amazing year for a guy who really deserved it. He had had a little bit of bad luck at some past State Meets but he made it clear at this State Meet that he was in it to win it. Sticking with Rood and Quigley through 95% of the grueling course King ended up third and now possesses the 11th fastest time ever on the State course.
#7) Pat Cole, Fort Zumwalt South – We cannot overlook how incredible Zumwalt's team is this year. As the FZS #2 man, Cole finished fourth at State and is now the owner of the 14th fastest time ever on the State course. Like his teammate Rood, Cole was not even a full-time runner until halfway through high school. Before that his main sport was hockey. At State he ran in fourth for a large portion of the Race, was passed by SLUH's Matt Lawder on Firehouse Hill, and then came back with a blistering kick that saw him pass Lawder and nearly catch Phillip King. Just a great run.
#8) Matt Lawder, SR, SLUH – Hovered right around the eight spot in our rankings all year. This hard-working kid ran a ton of miles over the summer and it paid off. At State he moved steadily through the field and found himself in fourth at the top of Firehouse, only seconds behind the leaders. In fact, his split up the hill was probably the fastest of anyone in Class 4. He kicked home to just dip under 16:00 (15:59.93) and is now ranked 19th all-time on the State Course.
#9) Andrew Tobben, SR, St. Francis Borgia – Tobben had the unenviable task of trying to hang with the Potosi boys if he wanted a shot at the Class 3 Title. Many runners wouldn't have taken that shot but he did and it paid off. Tobben finished in fourth and ran 16:02.28, good for 22nd all-time. Big upside for this kid who seemed to get better all year long.
#10) Rick Elliot, JR, Kickapoo – The Kickapoo junior did exactly what he said he was going to do and went with the leaders for as long as he could. In the end, he lost a few spots and crossed the line in sixth place in Class 4 with a time of 16:06 . A valiant effort though for a runner who seems to welcome the challenge of a big race. He had a great year overall and is now the Class 4 favorite for 2007.
#11) Brandon Funderburk, SR, Fort Zumwalt South – The third FZS senior in our top 15 and like Rood and Cole he finishes the year with a higher ranking than he had coming in. We have been impressed all year that Cole and Funderburk would go out on Rood's heels, a basically fearless tactic that says much for their self-confidence as well as their strength. Funderburk ran another picture perfect race at State and it netted him seventh place in Class 4.
#12) Adam Behnke, JR, Lutheran South – Like Tobben, Behnke was not afraid to race the Potosi boys and he gave it a good go at State. His 16:13 is still an excellent time for a junior, a fact possibly overlooked in a year where nine runners broke on to the all-time top 25. We're quite sure he wants to win this thing (Class 3) next year, but he'll have to battle Swearingen and Niggeman to do it. Should be another one for the ages.
#13) Thomas Albes, Sr, DeSmet – State was vindication for this runner who did not have the race at the 2005 State Meet that he had hoped for. This time Albes finished eighth, a very respectable spot in a loaded field. He had a great string of races at the end of the year which is how you'd like to see a senior go out.
#14) Eric Fernandez, JR, Parkway West – Even though he wouldn't want to use it as an excuse this kid was a little hobbled at the end of the year. His gutty ninth place finish was a testament to his toughness. When you look at early favorites for next year's Class 4 Title do not discount Fernandez.
#15) Nick Niggeman, SO, Potosi – Niggeman's year was a bit up-and-down but he sure got it done at State. Running a 16:19 assured his team an incredible spread and average time. Hard to believe he's just a sophomore but like his teammate Swearingen he still has two more years to develop and take a crack at those Potosi record books.
.*** This was undoubtedly one of the fastest year's ever on the boy's side. Sorry to those just outside of the top 15- it was a tough year and many of you would have been top 15 almost any other season. To those in the top 15- best of luck at Foot Locker Midwest. This seems like a year when Missouri will get at least one and dare we say two or three through to Nationals. And of course, best of luck to Potosi at Nike Team Nationals!!