Reed Smith, Sehome
(Photo from Runnerspace.com)
It is hard to argue who is going to win the individual 2A state championship, but Sehome's Reed Smith is definitely a candidate. The top runner from last years state championship team ran 15:46 for his best 5k time and ran 15:52 at the state meet placing 5th. Despite missing the track season to play soccer, Smith's overall talent is one of the best in the Northwest Conference and in the state.
Lucas Cunningham, Sehome
(Keenan Gray/The Runner)
Very odd to only see one boy from Sehome to compete at the 2A State Track Meet, but either way, the one competitor came home with a 2nd place finish in the 800. Along side Smith, Lucas Cunningham is another runner to lead Sehome to another state championship after returning from last years team. His best 5k time last was 15:58.
Tate Hutchins, Lynden
(Keenan Gray/The Runner)
A school known for its Football team is now drawing attention for its cross country and track programs, and Tate Hutchins is one of the main reasons why. The Lions top runner placed 5th last fall at the 2A State Cross Meet with a personal best time of 15:59. He also had a fantastic track season running 4:22 in the 1600 and 1:55 in the 800.
Abbas Theophilus, Meridian
(Keenan Gray/The Runner)
One of two Meridian boys to place in the top 10 at the 1A State Cross Meet, Abbas Theophilus has aspirations of leading his team to the schools first cross state team title. The Trojans top runner ran 16:11.5 while also placing 10th at state. One of four Meridian Trojans to also qualify for the 1A State Track Meet in the 3200 last spring.
John DenHartog, Lynden Christian
(Keenan Gray/The Runner)
The era of Brooks DeWaard and Eric Steiger is over, but junior John DenHartog made a name for himself last fall, and spring, after coming out to run for his very first time. DenHartog ran a personal best 16:30 and also qualified with his team for the 1A State Cross Meet. In track, ran 2:02 in the 800 and 4:44 in the 1600.
Others to Watch This Season:
Landon Sturdevant (Ferndale) - First freshman in school history to run under 2:00 in 800, ran 17:10 last fall.
Nathan Schneider (Meridian) - Ran 16:26 last fall and helped the Trojans to a 3rd place finish at 1A Cross State.
Jacob Alexander (Sehome) - Part of the 2017 Sehome Mariners state cross country championship team, ran 16:26 for a personal best.
Joe Brodeur (Squalicum) - Ran 16:50 for the Storm last fall, placed 33rd at the 3A District meet
Isaiah Ellis (Lynden) - Another talented Lynden Lion, ran 16:46 and was 1 of 3 Lions to qualify for the 2A State Cross Meet last fall.