BOYS’ CROSS COUNTRY

5A

Region 5

Coronado

Coach: Doug Hugill

Key players: Michel Swanson, sr.; Nic Vai, sr.; Clay Rahamen, jr.; Conor Strizich, so.

What to know: Coronado has lost quite a bit of talent since winning the state title in 2012. Bailey Roth, now a sophomore at Arizona, and Adam Egger, who took 10th at state last year, are gone. Now it’s time for Vai and Swanson to lead. They both broke 17 minutes last year and will return as the team’s fastest runners.

Doherty

Coach: Robert Duensing

Key players: Hayden Martinez, so.; Daniel Duensing, so.; Liam Ecker, so.; Rene Mathenge, so.; Jordan Miller, jr.; Jonathon Miller, jr.; Ryan Cox, jr.

What to know: With so many fast sophomores, the Spartans’ cross country program has a lot of young talent for the future. This year, however, they’ll struggle keeping up with Rampart in the CSML.

Fountain-Fort Carson

Coach: Ben Montoya

Key players: Phillip James Thomas, so.; Matt Schramm, jr.

What to know: The Trojans are young, according to Montoya, which could make a season where they prepare for the future.

Liberty

Coach: Gary Weston

Key players: Cameron Rothmell, sr.; Cory Childs, sr.; AJ Steward, sr.; Andre Ogden, sr.

What to know: The Lancers are excited for this season. With good depth and an ability to run well as a pack, Liberty is aiming for a strong showing.

Palmer

Coach: Rob Gilliam

Key players: Ben Walth, sr.; Gavin Van Horn, sr.; Will Schenk, jr.; Cole Harner, sr.; Drew Bentley, jr.

What to know: Walth could be one of the better runners in the CSML. He could help lead an experienced Terrors team back to the 5A state meet in 2015.

Pine Creek

Coach: Mark Weeks

Key players: Nathan Gipprich, so.; Michael Sykes, sr.; Derek Ashby, so.; Josh Hawkins, so.; Drew Kroeker, fr.

What to know: Much like Doherty, Pine Creek is probably too young to expect much on the statewide level this season. Weeks said his team is built for the future.

Rampart

Coach: Robert Young

Key players: Ben Dingman, sr.; Connor McCabe, so.

What to know: With two studs up top, the Rams are one of the few teams that can realistically win a Class 5A title. Dingman finished third at state last year and is the only returning runner that placed inside the top 5 in that race. McCabe, meanwhile, proved to be the fastest freshman in cross country last season. As for the entire team, Young said the Rams have 10-12 runners that can break 17 minutes.

4A

Region 2

The Classical Academy

Coach: Alan Versaw

Key players: Tanner Norman, jr.; Ryan Moen, so.; Canaan Lamberth, so.; Matt Loftin, sr.

What to know: The Titans had about half their team reeling from injuries after the state meet in 2014. They’re back healthy now, though, with Norman as the lead runner.

Falcon

Coach: Nathan Borchers

Key players: Danny Watts, sr.; Brandon Ramsey, sr.; Hunter Hughes, jr.; Will Boswell, jr.; Reece Warren, so.

What to know: Falcon qualified for state in 2014, and will look to do so again in 2015. Watts leads the way as the Falcons return five varsity runners.

Harrison

Coach: Molly McCann

Key players: Den Hartog, sr.; Parker Scarborough, so.; Matt Terry, so.; Jeramy Roberts, jr.; Brian Gainer, so.

What to know: Harrison has atypically seen a large increase in the number of runners this season. While the runners are committed to getting better as individuals, they are also committed to advancing the progress of the team. Hartog will lead the way as the Panthers’ captain.

Lewis-Palmer

Coach: Suzanne Kuehl

Key players: Kaleb McGuffey, sr.; Jake McCarron, sr.; Cameron Barry, jr.; Owen Phillips, jr.; Max Ogden, sr.; Alex Fernandez, so.

What to know: The Rangers lost their top three runners from last season. In 2015, McGuffey, McCarron and Barry will lead them in a talented PPAC.

Mitchell

Coach: Walt Wilson

Key players: Trace Mellem, fr.; Cameron Melvin, fr.; Cody Mansfield, fr.

What to know: The Mitchell cross country program is steadily growing. The Marauders enjoyed a full varsity team last season, and this year they are up to 15 boys on the team.

Palmer Ridge

Coach: Kelly Christensen

Key players: Liam Cox, sr.; Jeremy Meadows, jr.; Andrew Rudnicki, jr.; Drew Lester, jr.; James Espinoza, jr.

What to know: The Bears lost their leader in Eric Hamer, and yet they look like they could have an even more potent team in 2015. Cox, Meadows, Rudnicki, Lester and Espinoza are all top-shelf runners in 4A.

Vista Ridge

Coach: Nathan Truex

Key players: Alex Freeman, jr.; Ray Calvillo, so.

What to know: The Wolves only return one varsity runner from last season. Freeman and Calvillo will lead an inexperienced team in 2015.

Region 5

Canon City

Coach: Marcy Epperson

Key players: Jamison Smith, sr.; Kyle O’Rourke, sr.; Alex Worley, jr.

What to know: Smith will help lead the Tigers’ cross country and soccer teams in the fall. The senior will participate in both and is expected to be a top player in each.

Cheyenne Mountain

Coach: Stan Lambros

Key players: James Jones, sr.; Thomas Staines, sr.; Matt Fox, sr.; Jake Watts, sr.

What to know: Jones is one of the fastest runners in 4A. He and a handful of area runners have a good chance of winning a state title this year. Staines, meanwhile, will also be a top runner in the state.

Mesa Ridge

Coach: Carl Burgess

Key players: Nick Blazek, sr.; Trevin Quintana, jr.; Giovanni Jackson, sr.; Kalen Johns, sr.; Troy Cournoyer, jr.; Richie Roberds, fr.; Matthew Roberds, fr.

What to know: The Grizzlies will be much improved from last season. They bring back a handful of varsity runners from 2014, and will unveil freshmen twins Richie and Matt Roberds to their arsenal.

Widefield

Coach: Erik Nelson

Key players: Maximilliano Martinez, jr.; Matthew Arbegast, jr.; Cole Munoz, so.; Stephen Agenbroad, jr.; George Arciniega, jr.

What to know: Maximilliano Martinez, probably the best name in all of high school cross country, is one of the favorites to win the 4A title in 2015. He finished fourth at state last season.

Woodland Park

Coach: Mike Schoudel

Key players: Jack Fisher, jr.; Thomas Marshall, jr.; Dylan LeGrande, sr.; Darwin Edie, so.; Connor Traynor, sr.

What to know: Training at 8,500 feet is never a bad thing. The Panthers are hoping that will couple with good senior leadership this season. They’ll need that leadership after losing four of the team’s top seven runners from 2014.

3A

Region 2

Manitou Springs

Co-coaches: Duane Roberson, Jaclyn Roberson

Key players: Jared Keul, jr.; Bryce VanDerveer, jr.; Seth Nolan, jr.; Hunter Sheraden, jr.; Noah Sobeck, so.

What to know: The young team, one “built from scratch” as one of their coaches put it, is expected to set the table for this season and next.

St. Mary’s

Coach: Deb Hellman

Key players: Grandy Gosselin, sr.; Adam Maal, fr.; Nathaniel Barta, Andrew Maal, Luke McCarthy, David VanGampleare, Colton Bart

What to know: After losing their top three runners to graduation, the Pirates are young in 2015. They would need a lot of their freshman and sophomore talent to step up if they want to improve upon their 13th-place finish at state last year.

The Vanguard School

Coach: Adam Rich

Key players: Miles Hatton, sr.; Harley Morgan, jr.; Slade Kelling, sr.; Nick Lovato, so.; AJ Eccles.

What to know: The Coursers return five members (all listed above) that ran as part of last year’s state-qualifying team. The team’s top seven runners have the ability to run under 17 minutes, according to Rich. The first-year coach also said he wants the team to be stronger mentally.

2A

Region 2

CIVA Charter School

Coach: Melissa Hills

Key players: None listed

What to know: Not much yet. This is the program’s second year, and it will have a pretty different looking cast in 2015.

Ellicott

Coach: Jim Van Hoesen

Key players: Omar Romero, sr.; Gabe Funk, jr.; Morgan Jaworski, sr.; Devin Pearson, jr.; PJ Galviz, sr.

What to know: Cross country hasn’t quite caught on at Ellicott like wrestling and football. The Thunderhawks will have a small but dedicated team in 2015.

Evangelical Christian Academy

Coach: Eric Becker

Key players: Aaron Osborne, jr.

What to know: Osborne should lead a young team in 2015. The Eagles will spend most of their efforts preparing for the future during the season.

Peyton

Coach: Tim Van Sickler

Key players: Quentin Harris, sr.; Garhett Shaw, jr.; Caleb Smith, jr.; Britton Holmes, jr.; Gage Gellerman, jr.; Ryland Howard, jr.; Jack Kelly, jr.; Austin Strobel, fr.; Samuel Scheumann, fr.

What to know: The Panthers bring back everyone from last season. On top of that, they inherit Howard, who played football in 2014, as well as incoming freshman Schuemann.