Boys cross country watch list

Runners to watch

(in alphabetical order) JT Basco, Jr., Harvey: Basco’s breakout sophomore season ended with a regional berth at Boardman, and Basco plans to advance a step further as a junior. David Beebe, Jr., NDCL: Lions will count on Beebe’s leadership to ensure a return to Hebron after the graduation of Augie King and Cal Yackin, Karl Weinfurtner’s top runners the past two seasons. Ben Bremec, Jr., Mayfield: Expectations are high for Bremec coming off his regional berth to cap a solid sophomore season, as Bremec becomes the Wildcats’ No. 1 this year. Tyler Feeney, Sr., Chagrin Falls: Tigers will rely on Feeney to step up as their No. 1 after he narrowly missed a state berth with a 34th-place finish at Boardman in 2018. Justin Iler, Sr., University: Iler enters the season intent on closing out his high school cross country career with a state title, following a 10thplace result at his second state appearance last year. Neil Jones, Jr., Lake Catholic: The Cougars are eager to see Jones become their top runner after a strong sophomore season, as he’ll replace Alex Hansel at the front of Lake Catholic’s pack. Nick Kozlowski, Sr., Mentor: Kozlowski seeks his third straight state berth to cap a standout career at Mentor, and a high placement in Hebron after he was 81st as a sophomore and 88th there last year. Kozlowski leads a young Mentor team that can make a deep run, especially if he consistently scores in the single digits. BK Kwasniak, So., VASJ: Kwasniak picked the first victory by a Viking runner in years as a freshman, and VASJ hopes to see him take a step forward in his second high school season. John Patterson, Jr., West Geauga: Patterson’s breakout sophomore year ended at Boardman, and the Wolverines expect to compete at a higher level with him leading their pack alongside Kenneth Kirk and Patrick Garrett. David Rosinski, Sr., Kenston: Jakob McConnell’s graduation leaves a void at the No. 1 slot for the Bombers, after McConnell compiled one of the best cross country careers in program history. Rosinski owns the fastest PR among Chris Ickes’ returning runners at 16 minutes, 31 seconds, and should lead a deep Kenston team in the hunt for a fourth straight state berth. Bryson Simpson, Sr., Gilmour: The Lancers graduated three mainstays at the head of their pack in Tyler Clark, Tim Diemer and Connor Gerspacher. Simpson has the best PR of Matt Lindley’s returning core at 17 minutes, 41 seconds, and will team with Cole Durdella to keep the Lancers focused on returning to Hebron. Zeb Zuber, Jr., Riverside: Expectations are high for Zuber after he missed an individual state qualification by one spot as a sophomore at Boardman last year. He will ascend into the Beavers’ No. 1role after the graduation of AJ Haffa, and leads a pack with depth in its top seven.

Races to watch

Sept. 7: Tiffin Cross Country Carnival, Walsh Jesuit Pat Ritchie Cross Country invitational Sept. 14: VASJ McDonough Invitational, Spartan Invitational at Boardman Sept. 21: Cardinal-Middlefield Cross Country Invitational, Strongsville Vertical Runner Cross Country Invitational, Todd Clark Cloverleaf Invitational Sept. 27: Gilmour Academy Paul Primeau Invitational Sept. 28: Madison U Wanna Come Back Invitational Oct. 5: Medina Cross Country Festival Oct. 12: WRC, CVC, GCC, NCL conference championship meets Oct. 19: District meet weekend Oct. 26: Boardman Regional Nov. 2: State championship meet at National Trail Raceway