#25 Myers Park
Returning Database All-Class Team Ranking: 23rd
Returning NCHSAA 4A Database Team Ranking: 13th
Returning NCHSAA 4A West Database Team Ranking: 2nd
2016 NCHSAA 4A State Championship Finish: 10th
2016 NCHSAA 4A West Regional Finish: 2nd
Key Losses
Top Returners
Team Rankings
Myers Park graduated their 3rd and 5th runners from last season's team that finished 2nd in the NCHSAA 4A West Region. They return a strong team with their projected top 5 all being seniors, which normally will bode well for a program. Williamson was their star last season running 16:18 and had a very strong outdoor track season where he ran 4:29 and 9:27 for the 1600 and 3200 respectively. He was 7th in one of the best 3200 fields North Carolina's ever had a the outdoor state championships where he ran his big PR of 9:27. Williamson will be expected to lead this senior heavy group and I think you can expect a lot out of him this XC season. He took 32nd at last years 4A XC State Championship, but with the confidence in his outdoor 3200 success I expect him to contend for a top 10 spot and also a 4A West Individual Title.
Watch Marshall Williamson win the NCHSAA 4A West 3200m Title in 9:52.66
Michael Ly had his focus on the 800 last outdoor season and was a critical leg on their strong 4x800 team. Ly ended the season running 1:58.13 and 4:32 1600 at Border Clash, both his PRs. Ly ran 16:41 last cross country season. Ly will look to pull his 3-5 teammates up closer to him as I expect the ideal race for the Mustangs is Williamson being a strong low stick with their 2-5 running as a pack most of the race.
Jack Osment, John Hood and Niklas Bader will need to step up for the Mustangs this XC season. They were all guys that were in the top 7 as juniors so have experience at the State Championship level. Osment had the best track season running 2:02 and 4:38. Hood clocked a 1600 PR of 4:45 and Bader 4:49 last track season.
With 5 seniors leaders on this team it's going to increase the focus and drive that this program has helping everyone work harder. The Mustangs certainly have some young guys with the potential to break out this fall in sophomore Gant Renner, and freshman Erik Seuster, Connor Selle and David Hood. Their top 5 is certainly not locked in and the competition from these guys is going to drive the program to success in big races, and also making it a tough top 7 top make. Over the last few seasons Myers Park has risen to the occasion of championship season, and I expect them to move into the radar in the later stages of the XC season.