Editor’s note: SteveU’s individual rankings (originally Foot Locker Favorites) began appearing on DyeStat.com eight years ago and are continuing with DyeTrack.com. The rankings have always been based on distance-running accomplishments to date, with an emphasis on XC and 3200/2M track results, rather than a projection of how the Foot Locker Finals or NXN Finals will turn out (predictions run later in the season). As the season progresses, weight is shifted from overall career credentials to most recent accomplishments. With the transition between the closing of DyeStat.com on ESPN to the launch of DyeTrack.com, no preseason top 25 was published. The initial 2012 ranking, however, included unpublished preseason assessments (in parentheses, after each athlete’s name). Also, the first list was 20-deep, but lists since then have extended to the normal 25.
One of the nation’s most talented distance runners – some might even argue the “most” talented – skipped the post-season in cross-country last fall. This runner had started that junior year XC campaign impressively after a summer break shortened by his qualification for the World Youth Championships 1,500 meter final. But by November, he was ready to take a break and not push on given the big plans he had for track.
Well, given that the 2012 track season yielded an eye-popping state meet triple, the New Balance Nationals Outdoor mile title and a PR 4:02.73 for second in the adidas Dream Mile, Jacob Burcham’s decision to bypass NXN and Foot Locker in 2011 doesn’t look too bad.
This past summer, Burcham didn’t compete beyond mid-June and took a nice, long break. “He didn’t start back training until the beginning of our XC season,” said Coach Chris Parsons.
Perhaps that late start cost him a little when he faced Holy Cross (Louisville, Ky.) star Jacob Thomson in a great early-season matchup at the Trinity-Valkyrie Invite. Burcham came in as defending champ, with Thomson third in 2011, but the Kentucky star powered to a super 14:52 PR with Burcham 12 seconds back (though only a second slower than 2011).
Since then, US#10 Burcham added the Maymont (Va.) title, but has mostly been in preparation mode. “Every week, Jacob gets aerobically stronger and we have been pleased with his results” added Coach Parsons. “He is far from top end, but this next month should get him where he needs to be for the NXN Finals. It has been a gradual process in his training and we hope to hit all cylinders by NXN Southeast and the Portland finals.”
Burcham hopes to lead Cabell Midland to the West Virginia 3A state title this weekend, then will have nearly a month to prepare for NXN.
Now, let’s look at more of the week’s storylines:
Mt. SAC: Fernandez the real deal
Two days of outstanding racing on the switchbacks, airstrips, and Poopout and Reservoir hills did a lot to sort out the best runners in the Golden State. Dos Pueblos senior Bryan Fernandez, who had built his credentials significantly with victories at Woodbridge and Clovis, confirmed he deserves to be called the best in the state at this juncture with a 14:34 triumph in the D1/D2 Team Sweepstakes. He was followed by the Arcadia duo of Mitchell Pratt (14:39) and Stanford champ Estevan De La Rosa (14:47) on a good weekend for fast times on the 2.93-mile layout. Fernandez zipped up seven spots in the rankings to US#12.
El Toro sr Juan Gonzalez (14:38), Torrey Pines jr Tal Braude (14:41), and La Costa Canyon jr Steven Fahy (14:46) had an impressive 1-2-3 in the previous race of the morning, the D1/D2 Individual Sweeps. Of course, Fahy’s older brother Darren won the 2011 Individual Sweeps race and went on to state D2 and Foot Locker West titles.
Friday’s best came from St. John’s Bosco sr Myles Smith, a 2011 Foot Locker Finalist, who won the D3 Sweeps in 14:56. Unfortunately, the meet was pretty much void of out-of-state standouts on the boys’ side. At one point, it was thought US#5 Bernie Montoya AZ would be in attendance, but he took a college visit instead.
Montana State Meet: Perrin on top, for now
Montana’s population ranks just 44th in the U.S., but by the time the cross-country and forthcoming track seasons are all said and done, the “Treasure State” might have two or three of the top 20-25 distance runners in the country.
You’d think by virtue of the amazing 8:55.24 3,200 Flathead’s Zach Perrin clocked as a junior last April at Arcadia, that he’d be the overwhelming favorite all fall in Montana. But Missoula Hellgate has a great rising star in Adam Peterman and Glacier an impressive talent in Troy Fraley. The trio has been taking turns beating each other all fall, rarely getting a week off. Perrin had four losses during the season, but last week at the AA state champs, he had a great kick at the end of the race and took Peterman and Fraley with his 15:08.7 3M to claim his first state XC crown.
Expect all three to be contenders at NXN Northwest or Foot Locker West in the weeks ahead. Perrin gets his first ranking of the season at US#23, kicking Peterman out – for now.
Utah State Meet: Saarel close to Puskedra
Park City senior Ben Saarel has become faster and more consistent this fall, and his hard work paid off with a 3A state title last week. Utah’s state meet kicked off the main portion of the state meet season (Alaska was 2-1/2 weeks earlire) and Saarel came within two seconds of Luke Puskedra’s state meet record with his 14:56.7 3M. Saarel rises a spot to US#11.
The 4A race was also outstanding, with Timpanogos sr Jacob Heslington topping Logan sr Jerrell Mock, 15:06.9 to 15:07.8.
The Rankings, through 10/13 races (previous ranking in parentheses):
1. Ed Cheserek (1)
St. Benedict’s (Newark, N.J.), Class of 2013
2011 XC: Unbeaten, 1st FL NE, 1st FL Finals
Analysis: After his impressive debut at Eastern States, Cheserek’s next race was slated to be this coming weekend (Friday) at the Essex County Champs.
2012 races to date:
10/13-1st Eastern States 11:58.7 2.5M
2. Sean McGorty (2)
Chantilly (Va.), Class of 2013
2011 XC: 6th FO South, 10th FL Finals (#5 returnee)
Analysis: After the slew of fast races, particularly the Great American win, McGorty got a break last week to rest and train, with his state series starting this weekend.
2012 races to date:
10/13-1st Glory Days Grill 14:45 5k
10/6-1st Octoberfest Invite 15:10 5k
9/29-1st Great American ROC 14:43.6 5k
9/22-1st Oatlands Invite 15:26 5k
9/8-1st Monroe Parker Inv 14:50 3M
3. Jacob Thomson (3)
Holy Cross (Louisville, Ky.), Class of 2013
2011 XC: 7th FL South, 19th FL Finals (#6 returnee)
Analysis: After getting a break of a few weeks from major races, Thomson came out last weekend and with a very strong 15:29 took down an Evan Ehrenheim CR from the 2010 state meet (15:33) at the Lexington Catholic Championships at the New Horse Park.
2012 races to date:
10/20-1st Lexington Cath. Champs 15:29.36 5k
9/29-2nd Great American ROC 14:43.9
9/22-1st MW Cath. XC Champs 15:37 5k
9/15-1st Trinity/Valkyrie 14:52 5k
9/1-1st Terre Haute Prev 15:39 5k
8/25-1st Tiger Run 15:27.61 5k
4. Nick Ryan (4)
Fayetteville-Manlius (Manlius, N.Y.), Class of 2013
2011 XC: 1st NXN NY, 5th NXN Finals (#1 returnee)
Analysis: Following his dynamite season debut at Eastern States, Ryan took some more training time before the championship season gets rolling.
2012 races to date:
10/13-2nd Eastern States 12:05.7 4k
5. Bernie Montoya (5)
Cibola (Yuma, Ariz.), Class of 2013
2011 XC: 10th NXN SW, 12th NXN Finals (#3 returnee)
Analysis: It was thought that Montoya and his team might have Mt. SAC in their plans, which would have been a great test and chance to make statement. But the senior reportedly had a recruiting visit, so now it’s on to the state series and the post-season.
2012 races to date:
10/6-1st Central Park Invite 14:39.7 3M
9/28-1st Desert Twilight 15:12.88 5k
9/15-1st Cibola Inv 15:32 5k
9/1-1st Sole Sports Fest 14:53.1 3M
6. Andrew Gardner (6)
Mead (Spokane, Wash.), Class of 2013
2011 XC: 4th FL West, 6th FL Finals (#3 returnee)
Analysis: Gardner’s impressive regular season concluded with another league win, with his regionals looming this weekend to start a drive for a hoped-for 4A title and successful post-season.
2012 races to date:
10/17-1st GSL 4-way 15:43 5k
10/13-1st adidas XC Classic 14:45.5 5k
10/10-1st GSL vs SP, MS 15:29 5k
9/29-1st Mountain West 14:25.9 3M
9/26-1st dual 15:24.63 5k
9/19-1st GSL vs. Ferris 15:49 5k
9/15-1st Mead Invite 16:31 5k
9/12-1st GSL vs. LC, NC 15:34 5k
9/8-1st Highlander Invite 12:16.36 2.5M
7. Jake Leingang (7)
Bismarck (N.D.), Class of 2013
2011 XC: 4th FL Finals, 8th NXN Finals (#2 returnee in each)
Analysis: With two weeks of training since his regional meet, now it’s time for state as Leingang hopes for his third straight Class A title. Expect him to be fast and ready during the post-season and move up the list.
2012 races to date:
10/13-1st West Reg. Champs 15:24 5k
9/29-1st Roy Griak Gold 15:42.37 5k
9/22-1st Anderson/Stravn 15:20.41 5k
9/15-1st Mandan Kiwanis 15:35 5k
8/30-1st Rusty Bucket 15:59 5k
8. Kai Wilmot (8)
North Central (Spokane, Wash.), Class of 2014
2011 XC: 8th NXN NW, 49th NXN Finals (#17 returnee)
Analysis: Wilmot picked up a fast league meet win last week (mid-week), and will have a good regional battle this weekend as he prepares for another showdown with Joe Hardy at 3A state.
2012 races to date:
10/17-1st GSL #5 Mt. Spokane 14:55 3M
10/6-1st Richland Invite 14:44.73 3M
9/26-3rd GSL #3 (3-way) 15:21.64 3M
9/22-2nd Bob Firman Invite 15:06.35 5k
9/19-1st GSL #2 (3-way) 16:09.10 5k
9/12-12th GSL #1 (3-way) 17:27 5k
9/8-1st Tracy Walters Invite 14:44 3M
9. Joe Hardy (9)
Seattle Prep (Wash.), Class of 2014
2011 XC: 5th NXN NW, 43rd NXN Finals (#13 returnee)
Analysis: Hardy had a sharp league championship triumph last week (mid-week), and has been preparing for his regionals this weekend leading up to another showdown with Kai Wilmot at 3A state.
2012 races to date:
10/18-1st Metro Champs 15:07.2 5k
10/11-1st Metro League meet 15:29.78 5k
10/6-2nd Richland Invite 14:47.61 3M
9/26-1st 5-way meet 16:23.45 5k
9/22-1st Bob Firman Inv 15:03.01 5k
9/15-1st Sundodger Inv 14:57.10 3M
9/12-1st Six-way meet 15:52.53 5k
10. Jacob Burcham (10)
Cabell Midland (Ona, W.V.), Class of 2013
2011 XC: Skipped post-season; 1st Trinity Valkyrie, 2nd Great American
Analysis: Burcham ripped an impressive 15:18.2 to win by nearly a minute at his regional meet, testing his wheels for state and NXN beyond.
2012 races to date:
10/18-1st AAA Reg. III & IV 15:18.2 5k
10/10-1st MSAC Champs 15:47.2 5k
9/29-1st Maymont Festival 15:28.46 5k
9/15-2nd Trinity/Valkyrie Inv 15:04.42 5k
9/1-1st GEICO Classic 16:11.18 5k
11. Ben Saarel (12)
Park City (Utah), Class of 2013
2011 XC: 1st 3A State, 11th FL West
Analysis: Saarel blazed to a very impressive third straight state 3A title last week, his 14:56 for 3M just two seconds shy of Luke Puskedra’s championship record. He had the best time overall at state by more than 10 seconds. He has lost this fall only at Firman to Washington stars Kai Wilmot and Joe Hardy.
2012 races to date:
10/17-1st 3A State 14:56.7 3M
10/9-1st Region 10 Champs 15:02 3M
9/22-3rd Bob Firman Invite 15:08.26 5k
9/7-1st Murray Invite 15:28.40 5k
9/1-1st Utah County Inv 14:58.91 3M
8/24-1st Highland Invite 14:49.1 3M
12. Bryan Fernandez (19)
Don Pueblos (Goleta, Calif.), Class of 2013
2011 XC: 8th Woodbridge, 39th Southern Sect. Finals
Analysis: With a strong finish the last half mile, Fernandez put away a pair of Arcadia runners to take the Team Sweeps at Mt. SAC in 14:34 for 2.93 miles. That put him at #12 on the all-time course list but, more importantly, completed an impressive trifecta of invitational titles.
2012 races to date:
10/20-1st Mt SAC D1-2 Team Sweeps 14:34 2.93M
10/11-1st Channel League #2 15:47 5k
10/6-1st Clovis Invite 15:09 5k
9/19-1st Channel League 14:21 3M
9/15-1st Woodbridge Inv. 14:19 3M
9/7-1st Seaside Invite 14:05.77 3M
13. Josh Brickell (11)
Peachtree Ridge (Suwanee, Ga.), Class of 2013
2011 XC: 4th FL South, 8th FL Finals (#4 returnee)
Analysis: After taking last weekend off, Brickell will begin his push toward his state title and the postseason.
2012 races to date:
10/13-1st Bale-N-Trail Inv 15:11.8 5k
9/29-3rd Great American ROC 14:57.5 5k
9/22-1st Gwinnett Co. Champs 15:43.5 5k
9/8-1st Covered Bridge Inv 15:48.14 5k
9/1-1st UGA Bulldog Inv 14:53.77 3M
14. Sam Wharton (13)
Tippecanoe (Tipp City, Ohio), Class of 2013
2011 XC: 5th NXN MW, 21st NXN Finals (#5 returnee)
Analysis: Wharton’s bid for a D1 state title began last weekend with a district victory. Regionals and state will follow.
2012 races to date:
10/20-1st Miami Valley District 15:43.43 5k
10/13-1st Cent. Buckeye Conf. 15:51.77 5k
10/6-1st Tippecanoe Inv 9:37 3M
9/29-1st Miami Co. Champ. 16:14 5k
9/22-1st Culver Acad. Invite 15:14.40 5k
9/15-1st Alliance Invite 15:15 5k
15. Thomas Madden (14)
Skyline (Front Royal, Va.), Class of 2013
2011 XC: 8th FL South, 23rd FL Finals (#9 returnee)
Analysis: After training through last weekend, Madden was to contest his district meet this week Thursday, with regional and state to follow.
2012 races to date:
10/13-2nd Glory Days Grill 15:03 5k
9/29-4th Great American ROC 14:59.2 5k
9/22-3rd Oatlands Invite 16:04 5k
9/8-1st Judges Classic 15:55 5k
16. Aaron Templeton (15)
Hardin Valley Acad. (Knoxville, Tenn.), Class of 2014
2011 XC: 5th 3A State, 24th NXN SE
Analysis: Templeton had last weekend off, with regional and state action to follow these next two weeks.
2012 races to date:
10/11-1st K.I.L. Champs 15:02.5 5k
10/6-1st Wendy’s Invite 14:54 5k
9/15-1st Hardin Vall. Inv. 15:28.8 5k
9/8-1st Victor Ashe Pk Classic 16:12.6 5k
17. Grant Nykaza (16)
Beecher (Ill.), Class of 2013
2011 XC: 9th NXN MW, 7th FL MW, 33rd FL Finals (#11 returnee)
Analysis: Nykaza claimed his regional title last weekend. Sectionals and state will follow as he’ll try and move up a spot from last year’s 1A runner-up status.
2012 races to date:
10/20-1st Bishop McNam. Regional 14:52 3M
10/13-1st Patriot Invite 14:48 3M
10/8-1st Amboy Invite 14:10 2.9M
9/29-1st Loyola Lakefront 15:23 5k
9/22-1st Palatine Inv 14:36.4 3M
9/15-1st New Prairie Inv (1A) 15:31.4 5k
9/8-1st First to the Finish Inv (1A) 14:41 3M
18. Luis Martinez (17)
Cleveland (Rio Rancho, N.M.), Class of 2013
2011 XC: 1st NXN SW, 30th NXN Finals (#9 returnee)
Analysis: Martinez stayed unbeaten with a final invitational win, now on to regionals and state before attempting defend his NXN SW crown next month.
2012 races to date:
10/20-1st Rio Rancho Invite 15:50.3 3M
10/13-1st Metro Champs 15:16.14 5k
9/28-1st Albuquerque Acad. Inv. 15:40.18 5k
9/21-1st Socorro Stampede 15:45.11 5k
9/8-1st Cleveland Invite 15:23.85 3M
8/31-1st Lobo Invite 16:01.7 5k
19. Bakri Abushouk (18)
Cary (N.C.), Class of 2013
2011 XC: 5th 4A State, 20th NXN SE
Analysis: Abushouck will go for state qualification this weekend following a fast conference meet victory.
2012 races to date:
10/17-1st Tri-9 Conf. meet 15:17.62 5k
10/6-1st Wendy’s Invite 15:05 5k
9/29-5th Great American ROC 15:03.3 5k
9/15-2nd adidas Challenge 15:13.4 5k
9/8-1st Seahawk Invite 15:27 5k
8/25-1st Providence Inv 15:20 5k
8/18-1st Bay Six Kickoff 9:01.3 3k
20. Jack Keelan (21)
St. Ignatius (Chicago), Class of 2013
2011 XC: Did not qualify for state; 15th NXN MW
Analysis: Keelan’s team held out its top five while qualifying easily to sectionals. He’ll be back in action this weekend to resume his quest for a 3A title.
2012 races to date:
10/13-1st Chicago Cath. Champs 14:28.81 3M
9/29-1st Pat Savage Inv. 14:59.21 3M
9/22-2nd Palatine Invite 14:37.0 3M
9/15-1st Connelly Polka Inv 15:11.23 3M
9/8-1st First to the Finish Inv (3A) 14:35.0 3M
9/1-1st ICOPS Invite 15:31.7 3M
21. Brigham Hedges (22)
The Woodlands (Texas), Class of 2013
2011 XC: 16th NXN South, 81st NXN Finals
Analysis: No major meets for Hedges in the last two-plus weeks, with districts beginning late this week.
2012 races to date:
10/6-1st Nike South Invite 15:18.2 5k
9/29-1st Cypress Woods Inv 16:01.88 5k
9/22-1st Kingwood/Andy Wells Inv 14:28.45 3M
9/15-1st Humble Reg. III Prev. 15:10.36 5k
8/31-3rd Friday Night Lights 12:38.08 4k
22. Joe Sansone (23)
Carroll (Southlake, Texas), Class of 2013
2011 XC: 5th NXN South, 22nd NXN Finals (#6 returnee)
Analysis: No major meets for Sansone last week, with districts beginning late this week.
2012 races to date:
10/13-1st Chile Pepper Fest. 15:06.0 5k
10/6-9th Nike South Invite 15:34.9 5k
9/1-1st Marcus I Invite 15:14.8 5k
23. Zach Perrin (HM)
Flathead (Kalispell, Mont.), Class of 2013
2011 XC: 2nd State
Analysis: It’s tough to rank a guy this high who’s lost four times, but it’s also hard not to like someone who’s just won a tough state meet and has 8:55.24 3,200 creds. You’d think winning would come easier in a smaller population state like Montana for someone like Perrin, but he had to face at least one of two other great talents – Adam Peterman and Troy Fraley – almost every week. These three beat each other up all fall, but Perrin’s winning sprint at state puts him on top – for now.
2012 races to date:
10/20-1st Class AA State 15:08.7 3M
10/11-2nd Glacier Invite 16:07 3M
10/4-2nd Capital City 7-of-7 14:46.6 3M
9/29-5th Mtn. West Classic 14:58.2 3M
9/22-1st Butte Invite 14:52.98 3M
9/15-1st Ronan Invite 14:28 3M
9/8-3rd Flathead Invite 15:43.73 3M
24. Sumner Goodwin (24)
Lewis and Clark (Spokane, Wash.), Class of 2013
2011 XC: 7th 4A state, 18th NXN NW, 33rd FL West
Analysis: Goodwin closed out his league season with a quick victory and will now race regional and state competition.
2012 races to date:
10/17-1st GSL #5 14:50.83 3M
10/10-1st GSL #4 16:04 5k
10/6-3rd Richland Invite 15:11.81 5k
9/29-2nd Stanford Invite 15:09 5k
9/26-1st GSL #3 17:11 5k
9/19-1st GSL #2 15:59 5k
9/12-2nd GSL #1 15:43 5k
9/8-1st Toaster Splash 12:52 4k
25. Sibby Hanson (25)
Arlington (Lagrangeville, N.Y.), Class of 2013
2011 XC: 17th NY Feds, 12th NXN NY
Analysis: Hanson stayed unbeaten with a pair of Section 1 victories.
2012 races to date:
10/20-1st Section 1 Coaches Inv 16:12.65 5k
10/16-1st Section 1 Lg Champs 16:26.3 5k
10/13-1st Burnt Hills Invite 15:07.17 5k
9/29-1st McQuaid Invite 14:39 3M
9/22-1st Queensbury Inv 15:42.21 5k
9/15-1st Somers Big Red Inv 16:08 5k
