Runner of the Year: Ethan Donley, Free State

After winning a state title in the 800 meters during the track season, Donley carried the momentum over to cross country. The Kansas University signee was runner-up at regionals, breaking a school record in 15:49. Donley added a runner-up finish in the Sunflower League meet and was third at state.

The 2015 Journal-World All-Area Boys Cross Country Team, from left: Dakota Helm, Baldwin; Luis Murillo, De Soto; Derek Meeks, Mill Valley; Tanner Hockenbury, Free State; Brandon Yates, Ottawa; Coach of the Year Mike Spielman, Baldwin; Runner of the Year Ethan Donley, Free State; George Letner, Baldwin; Brandyn Brewster, Wellsville; Garret Fields, Mill Valley; Travis Hodge, De Soto.

Coach of the Year: Mike Spielman, Baldwin

The Bulldogs swept postseason meets, winning Frontier League, regional and 4A state championships. They won their third straight state title, led by Jacob Bailey, Jackson Barth, Phillip Carroll, Nevin Dunn, Dakota Helm, George Letner and Parker Wilson.

First team

Brandyn Brewster, Wellsville — Brewster shined in his final prep season, winning two meets, including a Pioneer League championship in a season-best 17:28. He took eighth at regionals and was 20th at the 3A state meet.

Garret Fields, Mill Valley — The Jaguars’ senior was consistent throughout the year, finishing runner-up in the Kaw Valley League to one of his teammates. Fields was 20th at the 5A state meet, helping the Jaguars to fourth place in the team standings.

Dakota Helm, Baldwin — Helm continued to drop time late in the season, running to 13th place at the 4A state meet in 16:58. The senior was eighth in the Frontier League and eighth at regionals, helping the Bulldogs win their third straight league title.

Tanner Hockenbury, Free State — The Firebirds’ senior improved throughout the year and took fifth at the Sunflower League meet in a personal-record 16:16. Hockenbury was 16th at the 6A state meet, helping his team to a sixth-place finish.

Travis Hodge, De Soto — Hodge won a state title in the 800 meters during track, and he followed it up with a strong cross country season. The Wildcats senior was ninth at the 4A state meet and seventh at regionals and the Frontier League meet.

George Letner, Baldwin — Letner won two meets, including the Frontier League championship, and was runner-up at three more meets. The Kansas University signee took sixth at state, and he ran a season-best 5K in 15:51 earlier in the season.

Derek Meeks, Mill Valley — For the third straight season, Meeks won a Kaw Valley League championship, leading the Jaguars to a team title. Meeks took fifth place at regionals in 16:27 and was 18th at the 5A state meet.

Luis Murillo, De Soto — The Wildcats were runners-up at every postseason meet, their best season in program history. Murillo was one of the team’s most consistent runners, taking third place in the Frontier League and 11th at state.

Brandon Yates, Ottawa — A four-time state qualifier, Yates earned a medal in his senior season by finishing in 20th place at the 4A state meet. He took fifth place at regionals in a season-best time of 16:39 and was fourth in the Frontier League.

Honorable mention

Jacob Bailey, Baldwin; Jack Edmonds, Bishop Seabury; Avant Edwards, Free State; Jack Gerstmann, Eudora; Ke’mana Ka’anapu, De Soto; Ethan Phillips, Tonganoxie; Parker Wilson, Baldwin.