The Journal-World All-Area Boys Cross Country Team
Runner of the Year
Ryan Liston, Free State
Liston became the first Free State runner to win a Sunflower League championship, and he followed it up with a regional title. He won four races this season and has committed to run for Kansas University next year.
Coach of the Year
Mike Spielman, Baldwin
The Bulldogs dominated this season, winning championships in the Frontier League, at regionals and at the Class 4A state meet. It was their second straight state title, and they were led by Jackson Barth, Nevin Dunn, Dakota Helm, George Letner, Joe Pierce, Zach Smith and Parker Wilson.
First Team
Thomas Becker, Free State — The Firebirds’ senior kept improving throughout the year and lowering his personal-record times. He finished eighth in the Sunflower League, fourth at regionals and 23rd at the Class 6A state meet in 16:45.
Ethan Donley, Free State — Donley was the Firebirds’ top runner at the Class 6A state meet, leading Free State to fourth place in the team standings. At state, the junior took sixth place in 16:23. He also finished fifth in the Sunflower League and third at regionals.
Dakota Helm, Baldwin — Helm provided consistency for the Bulldogs all season. The junior finished third in the Frontier League and third at regionals. At the Class 4A state meet, Helm took 10th place, helping Baldwin win its second straight state championship.
Tanner Hockenbury, Free State — Hockenbury was consistent throughout the season, placing in the top 15 in three regular-season meets. The Firebirds’ junior took sixth in the Sunflower League, 10th at regionals and 17th at state with a season-best 5K time of 16:41.
George Letner, Baldwin — The Bulldogs’ junior was dominant throughout the season, winning regional and Frontier League championships. Letner also won the Anderson County Invitational in the regular season and took fifth at the Class 4A state meet in 16:42.
Ryan Liston, Free State — Liston shifted from a good runner to an elite runner during his senior season and dominated throughout the year. He won a regional title in season-best time of 16:15. However, an illness forced him to withdraw from the Class 6A state meet.
Kurtis Loevenstein, Mill Valley — The senior capped an impressive cross country career by finishing second in the Kaw Valley League, helping the Jaguars to a league championship. Loevenstein also took eighth at regionals and 26th at state.
Derek Meeks, Mill Valley — Meeks won a Kaw Valley League championship for the second straight year, and he finished third at regionals in 16:28. The Jaguars’ junior also took 15th at the Class 5A state meet, the second straight year he has finished in the top 20.
Luis Murillo, De Soto — Murillo won his second straight regional championship, leading his school to a regional title. The Wildcats’ junior also finished fifth in the Frontier League and sixth at the Class 4A state meet with a time of 16:44.
Joe Pierce, Baldwin — The Oklahoma City University signee was dominant in his final prep season. The Bulldogs’ senior finished fourth in the Frontier League and fifth at regionals. At the state meet, he ran his 5K in under 17 minutes and took eighth place.
Honorable Mention
Ryan Bristol, McLouth; Nevin Dunn, Baldwin; Steven Najera, Eudora; Nathan Pederson, Lawrence; Ethan Phillips, Tonganoxie; Zach Smith, Baldwin; Sam White, Ottawa; Nathan Zwahlen, De Soto.