2008 Foot Locker - Finals the runners 12/13/08 at Balboa Park, San Diego CA

South Boys Gallery

Page Design by Dave Devine, Photos by Photorun.net
XC Stats and Analysis by SteveU, Track PRs by Mike Kennedy

CHRIS BROWN Carroll (Southlake, Tx.) Senior ’08 XC: Rank-US#25 3rd FL South, 22nd NXN Finals, 2nd NXN South, 5th 5A State, 6th Nike South Previous Foot Locker: ’07-3rd South/24th Finals, ’06-33rd South. ’05-77th South Track PRs: 4:15.69, 9:17.98 Analysis: He had a late-season run that backed up what he did last year, but now the question with Brown is whether there’s anything left in the tank after a rough finish at NXN Finals … if so, he can improve several spots from last year’s 24th.

LEOULE DEGFAY Edison (Alexandria, Va.) Senior ’08 XC: Rank-US Honorable Mention 5th FL South, 3rd 3A State (7th overall), 6th McDonalds/Maymont Previous Foot Locker: none Track PRs: 1:54.69, 4:19.82i Analysis: Given Degfae’s rep as a middle-distance runner, it was a big breakthrough for him to make it here … it will be tough, though, to break top 20.

EVAN HIBBS Georegtown (Tx.) Senior ’08 XC: Rank-US Honorable Mention 10th FL South, 13th 5A State Previous Foot Locker: none Track PRs: 1:53.95, 4:20.21 Analysis: The third Texan to qualify is obviously more of a middle-distance runner, with the 3rd-best 800 PRs in the field … still, made a huge step up to qualify after just 13th at state … top 20 will be a tough goal.

BILL MATTHEWS Baylor School (Chattanooga, Tn.) Senior ’08 XC: Rank-US#6 1st FL South, 1st D II-AA State (1st overall), 1st Great American Previous Foot Locker: none Track PRs: 4:16.38, 9:14.05 (2-mile) Analysis: FL South was undoubtedly Matthews’ big breakout race, establishing him as a US top-10 runner … one senses that it’s becoming easier for him and, for someone who won a 6A state meet as a frosh, bigger things are really on the horizon … look for him from about 4th-8th.

CLINT MCKELVEY Maryville (Tn.) Junior ’08 XC: Rank-US Honorable Mention 8th FL South, 2nd 3A State (3rd overall) Previous Foot Locker: none Track PRs: 9:21.9 Analysis: McKelvey finished off a big day for TN runners, giving the state three qualifiers for the first time … he’ll have to truly have a career day to make top half of field, though.

ALEX OTT Ashby (Bridgewater, Va.) Senior ’08 XC: Rank-US Honorable Mention 6th FL South, 2nd 2A State (2nd overall), 5th Oatlands, 11th McDonalds/Maymont Previous Foot Locker: ’07-64th South Track PRs: 3:57.73, 4:16.95 Analysis: After being just under the national radar most of the year, Ott’s 2nd-best-of-the-meet performance at state and FL South 6th have elevated him just about to the top of a deep state … top 15-20 probably a good goal.

THOMAS PORTER Mountain View (Stafford, Va.) Senior ’08 XC: Rank-US#21 4th FL South, 1st 3A State (3rd overall), 3rd Oatlands Previous Foot Locker: ’07-8th South/40th Finals, ’06-10th South/31st Finals Track PRs: 9:15.24 Analysis: FL South has always been a great race for Porter; now he has to back it up here … seems to be arriving here more ready than ever for an All-American performance, maybe top ten.

CHASE RATHKE Seven Lakes (Katy, Tx.) Senior ’08 XC: Rank-US Honorable Mention 9th FL South, 42nd NXN Finals, 6th NXN South, 9th 5A State, 10th Nike South Previous Foot Locker: none Track PRs: 4:19.37, 8:42.48 (3,000), 9:19.11 Analysis: Like Brown, Rathke is an NXN/Foot Locker doubler who struggled at the end last week after a fast start … another long trip will make it really tough to have a good race, but give him credit for two great regional runs.

KYLE SATTERWHITE Western Albemarle (Charlottesville, Va.) Senior ’08 XC: Rank-US Honorable Mention 7th FL South, 3rd 2A State (4th overall), 3rd McDonalds/Maymont Previous Foot Locker: ’07-15th South Track PRs: 4:21.94, 9:12.2i Analysis: In the mix all year in a tough state, Satterwhite was a key part of the big quartet VA qualified for FL Finals … his big breakout was actually 9:12 indoor 3200 last winter … top 20 might be possible.

MATTHEW SONNENFELDT West (Knoxville, Tn.) Senior ’08 XC: Rank-US#13 2nd FL South, 1st 3A State (2nd overall), 2nd Great American, 4th McDonalds/Maymont Previous Foot Locker: ’07-21st South. ’06-68th South Track PRs: 4:18.10, 9:12.1 Analysis: FL South was pretty much as big a meet for Sonnenfeldt as it was for Matthews … set his 3200 PR in a late fall time tuneup … is on a mission and top 8-12 or so is possible.