The 2017 Journal-World All-Area boys cross country team, from left, Jakob Foley, Tonganoxie; Calvin Morgan, Tonganoxie; Charlie Johnson, Free State; Runner of the Year Henry Nelson, Bishop Seabury; Coach of the Year Mike Spielman, Baldwin; Jacob Bailey, Baldwin; Jayce Dighans, Baldwin; Parker Wilson, Baldwin; Carson Jumping Eagle, Lawrence; Noah Katzenmeier, Eudora; and Josh Mitts, Perry-Lecompton.

Runner of the Year: Henry Nelson, Bishop Seabury

Nelson followed up his strong freshman season with a dominant sophomore campaign. He dropped his school-record 5k time to 16:05, winning six of his nine races throughout the year. Following his regional championship, Nelson placed fourth at the Class 2A state meet

Coach of the Year: Mike Spielman, Baldwin

Following a runner-up finish at regionals, the Bulldogs took seventh place at the Class 4A state meet behind runners Hudson Allen, Jacob Bailey, Jayce Dighans, Will Harvey, Henry Letner, Riley Russell and Parker Wilson.

First team

Jacob Bailey, Baldwin — Bailey took sixth place in the Frontier League meet, the third time he’s medaled at league. The junior, who ran a season-best time of 17:20, was champion in the team’s first race of the season and placed 32nd at the Class 4A state meet.

Jayce Dighans, Baldwin — The senior was 65th in the Class 4A state race, crossing the finish line in a season-best 18:16. Dighans placed 16th at the Frontier League meet to help the Bulldogs take third place in the team standings.

Jakob Foley, Tonganoxie — In the Class 4A state meet, Foley took 56th in 18:02 to help the Chieftains to ninth in the team standings. Foley, a junior, was seventh in the Kaw Valley League meet and 12th in regionals. Tonganoxie finished as league runner-up.

Charlie Johnson, Free State — Improving throughout the season, Johnson, a sophomore, medaled in five races. He was 41st in the Class 6A state meet, running a season-best time of 16:56. He was sixth at regionals and 14th in the Sunflower League.

Carson Jumping Eagle, Lawrence — Jumping Eagle earned a medal in three races during his senior season, including a third-place finish at the Haskell Invitational. He was 27th in the Sunflower League and posted a 78th-place finish in his division at the Rim Rock Classic.

Noah Katzenmeier, Eudora — Katzenmeier made the most of his final races in his senior season. He took 37th at the Class 4A state meet, completing the 5k course in 17:40. Katzenmeier was fourth at his regional and 14th in the Frontier League.

Josh Mitts, Perry-Lecompton — During his junior season, Mitts placed inside of the top 20 in seven of his nine races. He led the Kaws to third place in the Kaw Valley League, finishing sixth in a season-best time of 17:32. At the 3A state meet, Mitts placed 36th.

Calvin Morgan, Tonganoxie — Leading the Chieftains to a regional team championship, Morgan finished runner-up.The junior followed it up the next week by taking 34th at the Class 4A state meet in 17:36. Morgan, who medaled in several races, was fifth in the Kaw Valley League.

Parker Wilson, Baldwin — In his senior season, Wilson won a regional title by more than 35 seconds. He placed sixth at the Class 4A state meet in a season-best time of 16:52. Wilson was fourth in the Frontier League meet, the second top-10 league finish of his career.

Honorable mention

Jeratt Bradley, Eudora; Jakk Edholm, Tonganoxie; Dylan Graham, Tonganoxie; Chandler Hamman, Tonganoxie; Jared Hicks, Free State; Henry Letner, Baldwin.