6A Boys XC Top Returners
When looking at Cross Country, it can be difficult to rank off of time. Many courses are different lengths and different difficulties. So, for the purpose of this ranking, we will focus on just an athlete's 2023 state meet performance.
Coming in at number one is Noah Thayer from Mustang High School. He finished 2nd at last years state meet, and will look to improve his placement by one. His time of 15:33.91, and a handful of fast times on the track, Thayer has set himself up well. Something to note, Thayer has crazy 800m speed. If it comes down to a kick, he will be hard to beat.
2. Cameron Langdon from Mustang High School is ranked 2nd. Langdon is more of a distance heavy athlete, and will likely look to do his best work in the middle of the race. His time of 15:40.59 put him in 4th at last years state title race, and it is clear he will be capable of more this season. The Mustang boys are a team that could have an incredible season. They have returned almost everyone, and may even be a dark horse candidate to shake things up at NXR.
3. In 3rd is Mez Barth from Stillwater High School. Since Keegan Thomas' departure, Barth has stepped up to fill that number one role for Stillwater. At last year's state title race Mez finished in 6th with a time of 15:48.79. In the Spring, he showed his strength in the 1600 and 3200 meter races, and I see it likely that he will continue his high level racing into this fall.
4. Rowan Meyers from Bishop Kelley finished 11th at last years state meet. This year, he is the 4th fastest returner. Meyers has great speed, and the strength to do some work in the middle of a 5k. With this being said, there have been discussions about classification changes, which could move Bishop Kelley back down to 5A. If that is the case, Meyers will not compete in the 6A division.
5. Micah John from Deer Creek was only a freshman last fall when he finished 15th overall. His time of 16:01.95 is one of the fastest times by a freshman in recent memory. Being from Deer Creek, John has the training partners and influence to be great. Can he take the leap his sophomore season and help lead Deer Creek to excellence in a rebuilding year?
6. Nelin Kimery from Piedmont High School placed 17th last year in a time of 16:05.26. Nelin has trained with some great athletes at Piedmont, and has high potential to have a great cross country season. With Piedmont still only recently becoming a 6A school, Nelin has been part of the group that has made that transition easier.
7. Teagan Nelson from Mustang High School placed 18th last year in 16:06.54. This now marks the 3rd Mustang athlete on this list, which only further shows this team's potential. For Oklahoma, cross country teams in the last twenty years or so that have had a genuine chance at an NXN qualification have been rare with really only Jenks in the early 2010s and Deer Creek in more recent years having any real shot. Can Mustang be the first to qualify?
8. Maxton Barker out of Edmond Santa Fe finished 20th in 16:09.05 last year. This puts him at 8th on our list coming into this season. Barker had a solid track season, and will surely look to have a great senior year. Being from Santa Fe, he will likely find himself against high quality OKC area athletes, which will help him prepare for this year's state meet.
9. Charlie Ritchie from Bishop Kelley finished 24th last year with a time of 16:15.04. Similar to Meyers, Bishop Kelley may not even compete in 6A this year. Either way, look for this strong one-two punch for Bishop Kelley.
10. Cohen Mcintosh out of Piedmont High School placed 25th at 2023 6A state, and his time of 16:22.15 will likely be vastly improved upon. I see it likely that him and Kimery both run sub 16 at state this year. It is also interesting to think on how Piedmont will do in the team placements.
Good luck to all the athletes competing this year. As always, thanks for reading!
- Shawn Rutledge