3RD TEAM
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1. Brennan Benson, Timpanogos, Senior
Brennan Benson joins teammate Ben Berlin on the All-State list after finishing his season off at NXN. Brennan and Ben played a huge role in getting the Timberwolves to Portland and their season's show how far they've come to get there. Benson finished no lower then 10th while racing in Utah and he was a guy who could hang with just about anyone having wins over the likes of all the Springville boys in one race or another, and has probably beaten just about every guy above him at least once. He closes off his finals season of XC with New PRs in the 3 mile (15:12) and the 5K (15:27).
2. Garrett Faragher, Mountain View, Senior
Garrett didn't have the most impressive season but he did end it off on a high note. What drives Faragher into one of these last few spots is due to his performance at FL West where he placed 16th overall. He also ran a new PR in the 3 mile at the Nebo XC invitational where he finished 4th in a time of 15:14.70
3. Wyatt Evans, Spanish Fork, Junior
Wyatt Evans may surprise a few for making the All-State team, but let me tell you why he makes it. At NXR-SW, Wyatt's team did not run in the Championship race, they raced in the medium school race. He ended up taking 2nd in that race with a new PR of 15:34.70 for the 5K. Had he run in the Championship race, he would have been about 34th overall which would put him one spot below Devin Pancake of Springville. Wyatt was also the Runner up to Ryan Raff at the Region 10 Championships and was 4th overall in the 4A Class State Race.
4. Joey Nokes, Riverton, Junior
Joey like Wyatt is another some might not have seen coming. What sets Joey apart is how well he performed after taking 10th in the 6A Class State Race. He went on to place 9th at the UHSTCA invite and then placed 41st overall at NXR-SW with a new 5K PR of 15:39. He also beat a lot of other guys who had been beating him all season as well. Nokes is another Junior we will want to keep our eyes on for next fall.
5. Curt Crossley, Roy, Senior
Curt had one of the better starts to the season, but he probably peaked at state because he couldn't carry his high performance into the post season. Crossley finished 6th in the 5A Class State Race and his only major win came at his regionals where he ran a 15:59.20 for a 5K.
6. Jacob Hansen, Woods Cross, Senior
Jacob was one of the bigger surprises for the All-State Team selection. I'd say Jacob had a pretty mediocre season which started with a win at the Premier Cross Country Invitational. After that Jacob was almost always finishing anywhere in the mid teens or so. But after the State meet, like many of these other guys. He found a new gear which propelled him to a 21st place finish at FL West! Talk about a Dark Horse, this guy came closer then most to qualifying for a national race!
7. Luke Grundvig, American Fork, Junior
To round out our top 21 is Luke Grundvig of American Fork. Many of you might be scratching your heads thinking wasn't Luke AF's 3rd runner? If you were thinking that, then you are mostly right. Luke had been the Cavemen's 3rd guy in the absence of Aaron Steed, however, he actually ended up being the guy who carried them in the post season. Luke finished just before his other teammates Carson Clinger and Dalton Brems at NXR-SW, and when the Cavemen learned they were going to have to sit NXN out this year. They decided to try their luck at Footlocker West and Luke again came away with the top performance. He raced in the Junior boys race but had he raced in the seeded race he would have finished 42nd which would've have been 4 spots higher then the next AF guy Clinger.