Key Losses
Nolan Cook
Key Returners
Ian Shanklin - 4:25 1600, 9:20 3200, 15:57 5K XC, 7th 2015 4A State XC Meet
Freddie Marx - 4:37 1600, 9:52 3200, 16:32 5K XC
Ahmed Sinada - 4:36 1600
2015 End of Season Rank - 15th
2016 Preseason Rank based off 2015 times - 21st
Page has been a strong program over the last 5 or so years, but are in the dreaded 4A Midwest Region which has been the toughest region to get out of for a few years now. If they were in a different region Page would have a good streak of qualifying for the state meet. This year looks to be just as tough for the Pirates with Tabor, RJ Reynolds, East Chapel Hill, and Jordan all have very strong teams this year.
What Page has is strong top 2, with returning all-state runner Ian Shanklin who had a very strong track season. Shanklin ended up on the podium outdoors in the 3200 where he ran 9:20 in what started off as a slow race. He should be a top 5 runner in all-classes this fall, so he low points will be huge from the Pirates. Freddie Marx showed a lot of promise last year running 9:52 indoors. #3 returner Stuart Coates is better on the XC course than on the track. He and Marx getting down in the low 16s would be huge for the program this season.
Ahmed Sinada had a break out track season and should compete with Coates and Marx for the #2 spot on the team. He ran 4:36 which shows he should dismantle his current 5k PR of 18:07. That just leaves them somewhat weak at the #5 spot. Nathan Gillespie should be able to fill that roll, but will need a big improvement so they can challenge the top 4 at the regional meet. Will this be the year Page goes back to the state meet? I believe the pieces are there, but they all have to come together on the right day.