Key Losses
None
Key Returners
2015 End of Season Rank - 39th
2016 Rank based off 2015 times - 14th
2015 NCHSAA 3A State Meet Finish - 10th
2015 was a rebuilding year for Marvin Ridge and it was a year that actually went quite well for the program. They finished 4th at the 3A Midwest regional squeaking into the state meet and went on to finish 10th. They return everyone from last years team who is led by Jacob Lipsey and Mason Bhatia. Lipsey is a stronger long distance runner while Bhatia was really good on the track in the 800 where he ran 1:58. If I remember correctly Bhatia played another sport previously before deciding to focus on running last year. As he heads into his senior season Bhatia is ready to have a big year. Lipsey holds a 3200 PR of 9:57 and narrowly missed out on qualifying in the event for outdoor states where he finished 5th at regionals. He was the top dog on the XC course last fall finishing 9th at the regional XC meet and will look to do so again this fall.
Marvin Ridge has a strong pack from their 3-7 who all can actually challenge for the top spot on this team. Mack Despard had the better track season running 4:41 for 1600 but he has plenty of guys that were just off that mark. They return 10 guys that have broken 5 minutes for 1600, and a lot of those guys were either freshman or sophomores showing their is a lot of up and coming talent for the Mavericks. Of the group Joe Hussey, William Jones and Luke Wolaver has the best marks on the XC course and were in the top 6 for Marvin Ridge last year all running under 17:30.
Some guys that are coming off strong freshman years for the Mavericks are Liam Christiansen, Jason Blizzard , Noah Bowman and Jackson Cashion. They all came in new to the high school running scene and will now come back with more experience with a full year of high school running under their belt. I look at this group to make the biggest leaps this fall. One thing Marvin Ridge has is a large middle school program. Though it isn't related to the high school program it can cause them to bring in freshman with some cross country experience, which not every school has. Marvin Ridge will be the favorites this year coming into the 3A Midwest regional and will certainly be a podium contender when it comes down to it at the state championships.