National Boys Rankings 10/8

The List 

Don Sage isn't afraid of mileage.  After all he runs

for Joe Newton's famed York High School program in

Illinois.  In his first 3 years of high school he has

logged more than 3 times as many miles as the 6 other

runners who have a shot at the Footlocker National

High School Cross Country title.  He has done it for

so long that 100 mile weeks are routine for him.  That

is more than most of the top US Marathoners of the

1990s run.  It is the type of training that scares

most college runners.  It does not scare most high

school runners, for them it is simply inconceivable. 

He may be the only American that trains as hard as

Kenyans at this age.  It is ironic that many experts

rail against high schoolers training at this level,

yet some of the same experts are constantly raving

about the latest Kenyan teen sensation.  Sage has

never run in the Footlocker meet because Newton

forbids his runners from running in it until their

senior year.  This is Newton's last year as coach and

he would love to go out with an individual national

champion.  Newton's XC program has been winning for so

long that most of his opposition has long given up

trying to beat him and resorted to criticism of his

"draconian" methods.  Obviously his pupils think

otherwise and he has 50-100 kids go out for the XC

team every year.  This year he has nearly 150 boys on

the final team of the Newton era which is favored to

win yet another state title.  Sage has been in many

big meets because he has had to deal with the Torres

brothers his entire career.  Last year at the Illinois

state meet he was second behind George, who went on to

win the Footlocker title and just ahead of Ed who went

on to take fifth in the Footlocker Final.  Outdoors he

finished second to Andy Powell in the Golden West mile

in 4:09.  While he may be my pick to win, he certainly

is not a clear favorite and there are 6 other runners

who could win the title. 

 	In early action Sage confirmed his conditioning and

ranking by destroying his own course record by over 20

seconds.

Ian Dobson of Oregon was sixth in last years Final. On

the track last spring some of his rivals got the

better of him, but he silenced any doubters at the

Stanford Invitational where he ripped apart the

toughest field assembled so far this season.  He is a

prime contender to win. 

When junior Al Webb's name is mentioned to an informed

fan of the sport, that fan immediately thinks of the

great Jim Ryun and for good reason.  Webb shocked the

high school scene when he smashed Jim Ryun's sophomore

class mile record by running 4:06.  Even more

impressive is the fact that Jim Ryan trained like a

man possessed with both mega mileage and 2 hour

torturous track workouts whereas Webb got there,

according to his coach, with comparatively minimal

effort.  Obviously he is one of the favorites.  

Webb was pushed to the limit at the Great American

invitational by fellow miler Ricky Brookshire of North

Carolina.  Brookshire, who has run the equivalent of a

4.11 mile, quickly established himself as one of the

top ten XC runners in the country.

Junior Dathan Ritzenhein of Michigan also had a great

sophomore year finishing 7th in the Footlocker Final

and 3rd in the Midwest region.  He confirmed those

performances with a 9.02 2 mile outdoors.  If he

improves a little this year, he could win.  Last year

he had his teammate and fellow Footlocker Finalist

Jason Hartmann to train with but this year he will

have to prove he can do it on his own. 

In early season action, Dathan has dominated all races

he has contested.

Josh Rohatinsky of Utah is probably the pick to win by

most experts.  He is the highest returning placer

(4th) from last year and ran an 8:59 (equivalent) 2

mile outdoors.  He would be my favorite also if not

for the spectacular rates of improvement over the last

10 months or less by 4 of his 6 chief rivals.

In early season action, Josh has already won 2 large

invitationals in impressive fashion.

  Brian Turner of Nebraska has run 4:09, 1:53 and a 48

relay leg in the quarter.  Of the top 7 only Webb can

match his speed.  He is also a proven XC runner having

finished 3rd in the Footlocker Midwest region as a

sophomore.  Last year he had one of those dreaded off

days that occasionally happens to runners. He will be

looking for redemption this year.  

Brian came down with the flu in late September and

will have to fight his way back.  

Californians Josh Spiker and Augie Escobar are the 2

remaining runners with a shot at the title.  Spiker

was 13th last year and ran a 9:00 equivalent 2 mile

outdoors.  This year's darkhorse is Escobar.  He has

done nothing significant in XC but exploded on the

scene outdoors with consecutive sub 9 equivalent 2

miles in big meets. Despite his lack of big time XC

experience and credentials, he cannot be overlooked.  

One possible darkhorse is Dan Covel of PA, who has

repeatedly buried local competition in early season

action.

Although no sophomores are threatening to be in the

top 20 as in past years there are several to keep an

eye on including Catlett (NY), and Lockhardt (VA). 

The top freshman may be Tim Nelson of CA and an eight

grader to keep an eye on is Ryan Deak. 

As far as regions go, the West will be by far the

strongest region and many top runners from the West

won't make it to the Final.  Such is life.  The

Midwest will be the next strongest region followed by

the Northeast and the South.  California will be the

strongest state by far.  Long time powers Washington

and Illinois will be among the strongest, but weaker

than they have been in the past.  Massachusetts has

had potential winners for about 5 years in a row, but

will not be as strong this year.  It is too bad

because us Mass fans have become spoiled by the great

success of Mohamed, Riley, Powell and Sanchez.  We

must lower our expectations keeping in mind that none

of the 4 were born in Mass and before them, Mass HS

distance running was quite weak compared to the rest

of the nation.  New Jersey will likely be weaker than

in recent years.  New York will be the strongest state

in the Northeast.  Several other states however are on

the rise.  Oregon, led by Ian Dobson will have its

best XC runners in years and could be stronger than

neighbor Washington for the first time in a long time.

 Recent powers Utah and Montana should be strong and

the perennial strength of Ohio should be there also. 

Indiana and Georgia are both shaping up to have their

toughest competition in many years.  Good luck to all

and have a great XC season.

Notes:

FF-place in last year's Footlocker Final

M,NE,S,W-place in last years Footlocker Region

all times have been converted to 800,mile and 2 mile

times plus or minus 1 second

*-Junior

**-Soph

Banned-runs in a state in which they are not allowed

to run in the Footlocker Meets.  Note that seniors

from PA probably will run the Footlocker since they

will be banned but since their HS XC career is over

the ban is meaningless. 

1 Don Sage, IL (9.06,4.09)

2 Ian Dobson, OR (6FF,6W,9.15,4.18)

3 *Al Webb, VA (10S,4.06,9.15,1.53)

4 *Dathan Ritzenhein, MI (7FF,3M,9.02,4.16)

5 Josh Rohatinsky, UT (4FF,1W,8.59,4.23,1.57)

6 Augie Escobar, CA (8.59)

7 Ricky Brookshire, NC (4.11,9.30,1.58)

8 Josh Spiker, CA (13FF,3W,9.00,4.13)

9 Juan Reyes, AZ (19FF,8W,9.09,4.19)

10 Jake Flynn, MI (26FF,7M,4.26,9.36)

11 Brian Turner, NE (28M,4.09,1.53,9.25,48r)

12 Golden Harper, UT (25W,9.14,4.26)

13 Dan Coval, PA (Banned,9.14)

14 Matt McInvale, CA (38W,9.09,4.17)

15 Fernando Cabada, CA (28W,9.02,4.20)

16 Jared Scott, CO (10M)

17 Ben Morales, CA (43W,9.16,4.23)

18 *J.J. Duke, CA (9.22)

19 Noel Paulson, OR (12W,4.17)

20 Tristan Colangelo, MA (14N,9.17,4.17)

21 *Said Ahmed, MA (19N,1.52,4.18)

22 John Huber, NY (15N,9.30,4.25)

23 *Ossy Pina, CA (9.09)

24 *Steve Hass, NC

25 Kevin Clarey, MT (40W,4.18,9.11,1.57)

26 Jason Jabaut, NY (4.11,1.55)

27 Mason Ward, OH (58M,4.13)

28 Matt Tegenkamp, MO (19M,9.17,4.19)

29 Steve Padgett OH, (14M)

30 Dustin Bybee, UT

31 Duncan Lindquist, UT (9.37,4.30)

32 Aaron Emery, NY (25FF,3N,9.21,4.26) (inj)

33 *Nick Schnieder, MN (44M,4.21,9.27)

34 Brock Call, UT (4.27,9.26)

35 *Tom Kubler, CA (9.21)

36 Max Schmidt, WA (4.22,9.30)

37 *Dave Vidal, MT (20W,4.18,9.24,1.59)

38 Tom Walsh, NY

39 **Kevin Catlett, NY (63N)

40 Brett Andrus, UT (26W,9.29)

41 *Aaron Fisher, IN (20M,4.20)

42 Brian Kerwin, NJ

43 Travis Laird, CA (4.22,9.22)

44 *Bobby Lockhardt, VA (4.22,9.50)

45 Kurt George, IN (15M,9.26)

46 Mike Kiter, WA (9.30,4.39)

47 Jon Severy, CO (16M)

48 *Rob Koborski, TX (9.17)

49 Ryan Cole, MI (17M,9.50)

50 Al Bosmenier, FL

51 Hendrik Gerrits, WY (30W,4.31)

52 Chris Emme, TX (11S, 9.16,4.21)

53 *Sean Jefferson, FL (9.17,4.17,1.54)

54 Kurt Marlowe, MI (4.17, 1.57, 9.47)

55 Renny Provey, CT (36N,4.19,9.28)

56 Eric Logsdon, OR (34W,9.13,4.21)

57 *Erik Heinonen, OR,(24W,9.13,4.20)

58 Matt Hansen, UT

59 Ian Dickinson, GA (18S,9.50)

60 *Brian McGovern, CT (51N,9.26,4.20)

61 Neil McDonagh, CA, (29W,4.20,9.49,1.57)

62 *Luis Bordes, TX

63 Steve Laurie, CA (9.18,4.23)

64 Scott Wietcha, SC

65 Eric Chaves, CA

66 *John Jefferson, FL (4.14,9.16,1.53)

67 Pete Furia, WA, (9.22,4.26)

68 Tim Carrol, PA (Banned)

69 Scott Munro, PA (Banned,4.18,9.37)

70 Jim Sjostrom, OH (4.24,9.44)

71 Chan Goodwin, UT

72 Austin Smith, VA (24S)

73 Colin Ingram, NH (96N, 1.56,9.56)

74 *Josh Palazola, MA (27N,9.40,4.29,2.00)

75 Girmay Guangul, CA

76 Dave Altmaier,KY

77 Tyler Weaver, WY

78 *Andy Ice, WA (9.21)

79 Evan Fox, CA (4.13,1.54,9.57)

80 *Mark Nevers, CA

81 Derrick Wyatt, SC (12S,1.55,4.21,9.58)

82 Jeremy Cadle, VA

83 Mosie Joseph, FL (59S,4.15,9.28,1.54)

84 Brett Holts, OR

85 *Lane Neely, OR

86 Darrel Andruski, NY (44N,9.40)

87 Brian Greer, NC

88 *Neil Davis, CA (35W,9.26,4.25)

89 Justin Neuroth, CA (4.17,1.59)

90 Ed Kelly, NC

91 Ryan Bosquette, CA (4.19,9.36)

92 Dan Avilla, CA

93 *Joe Kaufman, CA (73W,4.29,4.17,1.59)

94 Ryan Teising, IL (9.34)

95 Ryan Fennelly, PA

96 Aaron Durham, CA

97 Dan Mejia, CA (72W,4.19)

98 Dave Albers, OH (27M,9.26)

99 Justin Rempel, KS (1.54,4.18)

100 Joel Moceri, PA (banned)

101 Geddy Ege, GA (17S,9.54)

102 Jeff Bullock, UT 

103 Jerry Claunch, OH (25M,4.17,9.25,1.56))

104 Chris Lanese, CA (4.17,9.23)

105 Nick Cowan, GA

106 Mike Taylor, IN (40M,1.52)

107 **Brice Ruiz, VA (4.29,9.50)

108 Corey Duquette, CA (9.23)

109 Tom Greenless, MI

110 Jeff Dichiara, NJ

111 Justin Schuelke, TX (4.18)

112 Leon Ardell, CA (4.20)

113 *Luis Brodey, TX (9.28)

114 *Justin Romaniuk, NY (39N)

115 Ivan Banner, WA

116 Tyler Cardinal, CT

117 Matt Emond, MA (9.23)

118 John Leroy, WI, (9.24)

119 *Vance Twitchell, MT (69W,9.56)

120 *Matt Tillman, Al

121 Jessie Hodges, CA (47W,9.36,4.28)

122 Pete Cioni, IL (4.22,9.26)

123 Andy Carlson, ND (35M,9.34,4.26)

124 Andy Jackman, NH (37N,4.28,1.59)

125 Chris Hardaway, IN

126 Cory Presnick, FL

127 Christian Lyndon ?

128 Tony Loanzo, CA

129 Chris Andrew, CT (31N,9.46)

130 Ben Ortega, NM (39W,9.31,4.28)

131 Matt Savtor, CA

132 Eric Rasmussen, NE (39M,9.32,4.26)

133 Adam Palumbo, IL

134 Brad Barker, NE (4.19,9.39)

135 Navac More, CA (44W)

136 Matt Topping, WA (4.18,9.35)

137 Jason Gould, TX (22S)

138 Walt Kingsbury, NJ (40N, 9.27,4.24)

139 John Drappi, MA (2.01)

140 Joe Iatauro, NY (35N,4.21,9.54)

141 Carlos Arizon, AR (9.43) 

142 Jon Allen, AR (4.24,9.54)

143 Justin Amason, IL (4.18)

144 Vic Moreno, CA (4.22)

145 Jim Doaty, KY (1.50)

146 Ryan Hall, CA

147 ***Tim Nelson, CA

148 Bryan Skelly, NJ

149 Pat Beattie, AZ? (51W)

150 Vic Thillet, MO (4.18,9.40)

151 Jordan Millam, AR

152 Mark Bahnuk, ?

153 Matt Rodrique, ME (123N)

154 *Arturo Garcia, CA (4.22)

155 Mike Hutsel, MO (1.54)

156 *Bob Dunphy, TX (32S,4.20)

157 Dan Pessing, TX (1.52)

158 Casey Jermyn, MT

159 Graham Lovett, NC

160 *Erik Grumstrup, SD (4.26,9.43)

161 John Hughes, MI (4.12,1.58)

162 **Oscar Mendez, CA

163 Jim Sanfort, MO

164 *Tim Scarpanato, NY (76N)

165 Nate Peffley, IN 4.18)

166 *Nick Cowan, GA, (31S,9.49)

167 *Scott Loftin, KS (4.22,9.39)

168 **Rolf Steier, FL (45S,9.36)

169 Charlie Millioen, NY

170 Jarrett Van Tine, MD (62N,4.26, 9.38, 2.00)

171 Cory Jeffers, NV (56W,4.24,9.27)

172 Ed Umansky, IL (9.25)

173 Jordan Kinley, CA

174 Kyle Rabbitt, GA (46S,4.20,1.58)

174 Denny Torrey ?

175 Jeff Gosselin, NC

176 Sean Stevens, TN (9.37,4.28)

177 Dale Fox, WA (4.20, 10.02)

178 Brendan O'Keefe, ME (46N,4.18)

179 Brian Hoffman, NJ

180 Geoff Atkinson, MA (53N)

181 Matt Kalish, NH (23N,4.30,9.50)

182 *Charlie Koeppen, IN (61M, 9.48)

183 Hendrick Kok, WA (4.18,1.57)

184 Dave Lantz, ME (9.44)

185 *Tony Rakaric, IL 

186 Ryan Fenton, ME (50N)

187 Jason Stover, MI

188 Jerry Bonner, RI (61N,4.28)

189 Jeff Gaudette, ME (9.44)

190 Bill Meador, VA

191 **Andy Baska, TN (9.40,4.29)

192 *Eric Gross, AR (4.22,9.50)

193 Erik Eckstrand, DE (41N,4.30)

194 *Raymon Laboy, CT (9.38)

195 Andy Caron, ME (9.44)

196 Matt Harriman, WA

197 Blake Jorgensen, GA (30S,9.43) 

198 Kyle Robinson, OR

199 Chris Williams, KS (4.26, 9.34)

200 Joey Lanzillotti, LA (36S,4.25,9.50)

201 Raleigh Green, TX (39S)

202 *Salem Bush, VA

203 Ryan Hampton, MO (4.18,9.42)

204 **Justin Corelli, NY (98N)

205 *Pat Slattery, NJ

206 Adrian Proietti, CT

207 Julio German, NY (30N,9.46 st)(inj)

208 Joe Halin, NJ (9.33)

209 Sean Ricketts, CA (1.53,4.20)

210 Eugene Roberts, OR (4.17,9.21)

211 *Chris Elder, NC

212 Chris Acs, OH (4.17,9.28)

213 Brian Benham, AL

214 Dave Barrett, NH

215 Parker Low, UT

216 John Summer, KS (9.34)

217 Andy Marsh, MI

218 Ryan Black, NE

219 Corey Elias, NH

220 Dave King, UT

221 Jermal Hampton, KS (4.24, 1.56)

222 Devan Lomayoma, AZ

223 Steve Sundell, ND

224 Tyler McCollum, TX

225 *Braxton Collier, DC (4.24,2.00)

226 Chris Young, KY

227 Craig Swisher, OH (9.38)

228 *Matt Penza, OH (9.47, 4.34)

229 ****Ryan Deak, ? (need info on this future star!)

230 Marshall Green, WA

231 *Ryan Sheehan, PA (9.40,4.37) (banned)

232 Chris Bassinger, OH (4.22,9.36)

233 Rick Roberts, KY (4.30)

234 Mike Devaughn, VA

235 **Jake Raines, MS

John Molvar

[email protected]