The 2024 high school cross-country season is getting started. Ahead of the first meets of the year, The Arizona Republic is previewing the upcoming season. The Republic ranked the top 25 girls and boys athletes in the state, and ranked the top 10 girls and boys teams in Arizona, regardless of division.
Next up is a division-by-division preview. Here’s what to expect in the fall from the state’s best distance runners in Division IV.
Girls
2023 individual champion: Kimi Cahoon, Phoenix Country Day School (graduated)
2023 team champion: Phoenix Northwest Christian, 60 points
Top returner: Taryn Janssen, Sr., Glendale Prep Academy
What to expect: Northwest Christian took home the title last year behind senior Ashley Tarasenko, who quickly made an impact after moving from Maui. She’s gone now, competing at ASU. With four of their top five runners graduated, Northwest Christian isn’t expected to repeat as Flagstaff Northland Prep and Hopi appear set to slug it out in the team battle this fall. It would be a return to glory for Hopi, one of the most storied programs in state history with 22 championships, which has not won a title since 2013.
While Northwest Christian may not see the same success on the team side, the Crusaders have an individual runner – junior Sarah Johnson – who could challenge for a state title. Although Glendale Prep senior Taryn Janssen does look primed to win the first state title of her career after finishing runner-up as a freshman. Cahoon’s teammate, junior Rachel Coviello, could be a dark horse.
Predictions: Team: Hopi; Individual: Taryn Janssen.
Boys
2023 individual champion: Myles Floyd, Tucson Pusch Ridge Academy (graduated)
2023 team champion: Flagstaff Northland Prep Academy, 91 points
Top returner: Yohanes Van Meerten, So., Northland Prep Academy
What to expect: Despite missing the best runner in the division, and all of Arizona, Yohanes Van Meerten, at last year’s state championships, Northland Prep Academy still managed to pull out the win over Valley Christian. With the Knights now in Division III, it’s smooth sailing for the Spartans. They’re the clear-cut favorites with Pinon a distant second and it really shouldn’t be a challenge for Northland Prep.
Van Meerten, if healthy, will easily win the individual state title. The question is: how fast can he go? He ran the fastest time in state history since 2000 for the 5,000 meters with his 15:18.40 at Desert Twilight. He’s the most promising young name in the state and has the spotlight on him entering 2024. Kingman Academy senior Jacob Batty and Arete Prep Academy senior Max Bruns are individuals to watch as well.
Predictions: Team: Northland Prep; Individual: Yohanes Van Meerten.
Logan Stanley is a sports reporter with The Arizona Republic who primarily focuses on high school, ASU and Olympic sports. To suggest ideas for human-interest stories and other news, reach out to Stanley at logan.stanley@gannett.com or 707-293-7650. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter:@LSscribe.
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Publish date : 2024-09-02 08:00:00
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