Saturday Boys Championship Preview:
On the boy's side we have a very deep Championship race, especially that first wave they have together. Going alphabetically we will highlight of the elite runners in this field. Jack Dingman (Northern Guilford) is one of the favorites to win Saturday morning but he will have his work cut out for him. The senior holds a 15:24 personal best from last season and ran 9:39 over 3200m at Dash for Doobie. Kenny Eheman (Cary Academy) is right there with Dingman and will also be challenging for the win. The NCISAA product was 6th at his state meet last season and holds a personal best of 15:32 from Great American. Eheman got the better of Dingman at Dash for Doobie where he ran 9:37. Nathan Geyer (DH Conley) broke 16:00 last season and is the defending NCHSAA 3A East Regional Champion. Elliott Kleckner (Croatan) was the runner-up of last year's Jungle Run in 15:29. Wesley Larson (Weddington) ran 16:05 last season and looks to break 16:00 at Hare & Hounds. He ran a 9:36 3200m time trial in August so he is definitely in top shape. Ryan Motondo (Walter Williams) was All-State last year in NCHSAA 3A. Ryker Mattioli has ran 16:10 for 5000m and 9:45 for 3200m and was All-State in the 3200m during Indoor Season. Miles Phillips (North Lincoln) ran 9:29 in a 3200m time trial in August proving he is ready to run with the big guns. NCHSAA 1A/2A Indoor 1000m Champ Walter Sellers (Atkins) will be looking to dip under 16:00 for the first time as well. Jay Shanahan (Durham Academy) is another runner who already has a sub 16:00 mark under their belt. Will Soule (Mount Tabor) has a 15:49 personal best over 5000m. Gavin Sweeney ran 15:39 last season and he will be an underdog to win the race Saturday for his new school Lake Norman. Murphy Smith (Ardrey Kell) won the seeded race at Great American last season in a personal best of 15:35.