Watch last year's 5A boys state race!
The big three from American Fork have graduated leaving the top ranks on the prep landscape wide open. Some of these spots will be filled by some familiar talent heading into the 2017 cross country season here in the Beehive State. Here is an early season ranking of some of the names that will stand out this season.
Ryan Raff (Lehi): In his senior year at Lehi HS he will be the odds on favorite to win State and carry the torch for the Pioneers deep into post season. Raff made a name for himself last year at the BYU invite just a few weeks out from the state meet when he held off a furious kick from Casey Clinger of American Fork. Raff held off the All American and two time NXN champ by a scant .33 of a second. His sub 9 minute 3200m at Arcadia Invite and 9:04.51 at elevation make him the early favorite.
Aidan Troutner (Timpview): Troutner went 14:47.5 at Region 7 on the flat Valley Softball Complex 3mi course last fall finishing second only to Joe Benson of Timpanogos. He continued his tear at NXNSW where he was the top junior at the meet finishing 9th in a deep field. If that wasn't impressive enough Troutner went on to prove his xc season was no fluke by winning the State 4A 3200m in 9:03.50. By all accounts we have heard that his summer training is going as planned and this could spell trouble for all comers this season that meet him on the race course.
Zachary Winter (Fremont): Fremont HS top returnee is nicknamed "The Turtle". This rhetorical twist couldn't be further from the truth. He brings speed to his game as he is the owner of a sub 50 second 400m to go with his 4:14.25 1600m time. He touts his greatest achievement as beating his brother Bronson. Expect some big things this fall as he combines that speed along with his endurance and a top 5 finisher in the newly formed 6A division.
Grant Gardner (Springville): Gardner and his teammates made it all the way to NXN last season as part of a three team contingency from Utah. The Red Devils of Springville HS have taken on a "Band of Brothers" mentality and look to their leader to get them back to Portland in December. His 15:04.2 Sugar House Park personal best last year was just the start of good things. His sophomore season success carried over to track going 9:06.84 at the storied Arcadia Invitational in California. Expect to see Gardner and his teammates up front this year and challenging the best teams in the nation come December.
Caleb Armstrong (Hurricane): Only a sophomore at Hurricane HS last year Armstrong ran a strong early season campaign and topped it off with a 4th place finish at the 3A State meet dominated by loaded division to include the likes of Pine View, Desert Hills and Stansbury squads. But Armstrong was just getting started. With personal bests of 4:14.19 and 9:21.46 he ran away from the competition winning both events for the Tigers at the state championships last May. If Caleb continues to improve he will be running up front with the big dogs this fall.
Bronson Winter (Fremont): With a healthy family rivalry not going unnoticed the brothers' Winter are a formidable duo for the Silver Wolves of Fremont HS. Bronson's 13TH place finish at State XC finals and his 4:16.57/9:14.97 track times will guarantee a low stick finish this year.
Brandon Garnica (Springville): Springville HS could not have had the success it had last fall without the depth of teammates like Garnica. His 15:16.7 at the State meet proved that, and if his track season was a litmus test of his improvement then Garnica's 4:20.05 1600m and 9:21.34 3200m will see him push the Red Devils XC train back to a repeat appearance on the Glendoveer course.
Other notable athletes:
- Logan Anderson (Westlake HS): 11th at 5A State meet and 15:26.00pr and 9:22.43 3200m.
- Justin Hartshorn (Lone Peak HS): 15:31.4 good for 9th in 5A State meet and 4:20.63 1600m.
- Jima Rout (Olympus HS): 15:26.1 Region 6 champion and 10th at 4A State meet.