The Journal-World All-Area teams are carefully selected by the Journal-World’s sports staff.

• Runner of the Year: Blake Wohler, Free State

photo by: Contributed

Blake Wohler

Wohler led the Firebirds this season with a 6A boys individual regional title, a third-place individual finish at the Sunflower League championship and a 13th-place individual finish at the 6A boys championship. The senior clipped his personal best (15:39.70) this season.

• Coach of the Year: Steve Heffernan, Free State

Heffernan led the Firebirds to a fourth-place finish at the 6A boys state championship, in addition to the 6A boys regional and Sunflower League titles.

• Ryan Whittlesey, Free State

photo by: Contributed

Ryan Whittlesey

Whittlesey finished his senior campaign with a fourth-place individual finish at the 6A boys regional championship, a 16th-place individual finish at the Sunflower League championship and a 30th-place individual finish at the 6A boys state championship.

• Solomon Carter, Tonganoxie High

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Solomon Carter

Carter led the Chieftains’ boys team with a ninth-place individual finish at the 4A boys state championship, a third-place individual finish at the 4A boys regional championship and a third-place individual finish at the Frontier League boys championship.

• Zach Arnold, Eudora High

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Zach Arnold

Arnold finished his Cardinal career as the 4A boys state runner-up a year after setting the school record. This fall, Arnold lowered that record twice – first at Missouri Southern (15:53) and again at Pleasant Ridge (15:33) – on his way to earning First Team All-Frontier League honors.

• Alex Clobes, Eudora High

photo by: Contributed

Alex Clobes

Clobes capped his cross country career at Eudora with a top 10 individual finish at the 4A boys regional championship and a 35th-place individual finish at the 4A boys state championship. Clobes eclipsed his personal best this season (16:54) after four years with the team.

• Nick Johnson, Baldwin High

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Nick Johnson

Johnson finished his junior season with a 20th-place individual finish at the 4A boys state championship, a ninth-place individual finish at the 4A boys regional championship and a 12th-place individual finish at the Frontier League boys championship.

• Oliver Schwartz, Lawrence High

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Oliver Schwartz

Schwartz made a bang in his freshman season, setting a personal best of 16:47 and getting a 33rd-place individual finish at the Sunflower League boys championship.

• Hayden Slough, Bishop Seabury Academy

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Hayden Slough

Slough led the way for the Seahawks’ boys team in his senior season, finishing with a 54th-place individual finish at the 1A boys state championship and 20th-place individual finish at the Kaw Valley boys championship.

Honorable Mention: Jake Loos, Free State; Xavier Klish, Lawrence High; Leigham Alexander, Lawrence High; Xander Johnson, Baldwin High; Dylan Patterson, Baldwin High; Riku Hickman, Bishop Seabury.