Boys Seeded Preview:
While the NCISAA gears up for their state meet in a few weeks, NCHSAA athletes are running unattached staying in shape for their up upcoming season. In other words, both group of athletes should be in great condition. The morning seeded race is stacked with talent. There is no clear cut favorite in this race and if the conditions are tough, which they very well may be at Ivey Redmon, this race is wide open for the taking. The fastest personal best of the group belongs to Christian Landis (Providence Day) and his 15:22 performance and last season's Team XC Regional. Landis has raced twice this season and placed runner up in both events. At Hare & Hounds Murphy Smith (Ardrey Kell) bested Landis and won the championship race in 15:31. At the Charlotte Running Company Series #4 Miles Phillips (North Lincoln) bested Landis running 15:55. Landis is itching for his first victory of the season.
It is by no means only those three at the top. Ryan Motondo (Walter Williams) and Kenny Eheman (Cary Academy) were 3rd and 4th respectively at Hare & Hounds with Motondo setting a personal best and Eheman just a few seconds off his. Motondo was victorious at the JDL 3200m Event a week ago clocking 9:20. Eheman's personal best of 15:32 came last season at Great American. Elliott Kleckner won the sophomore race at Foot Locker last season. He had an off day at Hare & Hounds but expect Kleckner to be in that lead pack Saturday.
Gavin Sweeney (Lake Norman) ran 15:39 last season at the adidas Challenge. Jay Shanahan (Durham Academy) ran 15:44 last season and was 24th at Hare & Hounds and runner-up to Eheman at a NCISAA tri-meet. Aaron Rovnak (Franklin Academy) is making his 5000m debut of the season. The 2X defending NCHSAA 2A state champion was 3rd at the Carolina Liberty 3k Kickoff clocking 9:00. Walter Sellers (Atkins) dipped under 16:00 for the first time at Hare & Hounds and looks to build off of the fast start to the season. Griffin Horner (Lake Norman) ran 15:44 at Hare & Hounds good for 5th place! Justin Hayes (Panther Creek) broke out with a 9:30 3200m at the JDL 3200m taking 3rd.