State Meet Preview: Class B and C

The Class C boy's race also looks like a close fight for the individual title. The top two contenders are similar in terms of both track and cross country times and have faced off head-to-head before.

Cameron Jennings of First Baptist Christian is one of these individuals. He holds the fastest time in Class C this year with a mark of 17:59 and is also the highest returning individual from last year where he finished 5th. During the track season, Jennings took home gold in the 800m, 1600m, and 3200m. Needless to say, he is already considered to be at the top of his division and could lay claim to his first-ever cross country title in less than a week.

Challenging Jennings for the fastest time in Class C is Ean Allain of Simpson. It is questionable whether Allain will make an appearance at the state meet or not this year after he did not appear last year. His team does not currently have enough runners to score, but he has an opportunity to take on Jennings for the title. Allain faced off against Jennings during the outdoor season, where Allain took 2nd place behind him in the 1600m. 

On paper, the team that has the best shot of winning the state meet is Calvin. This team has an excellent low-stick with Wayne Curtis Huckaby and its closely-knit second and third runners, Joseph Adams and Logan Chandler


Wayne Curtis Huckaby (center) at the Wallace Martin Invitational

- - -

Huckaby is ranked as the third-best competitor in Class C with a time of 18:31 and could provide the lead that Calvin needs to win the team title. On top of that, if their runners keep pack-running as they did at the Wallace Martin Cedar Creek Invitational, then there is no doubt that they can win. 

Other teams that are close to Calvin and could make a challenge for the title are Northside Christian, Claiborne Christian, and Downsville. It is all a toss-up for whoever can win, but the best chance for upsetting Calvin lies with Northside. Their top runner, Owen Rue, has been a tried-and-true runner that has been consistent with his times this season. Truly Northside's success relies on its third, fourth, and fifth runners, they will need to close the gap between them and Calvin's top four if they want a chance to win.

Class C Girls        Class B Girls        Class B Boys