The RXC4 Boys Preview: Sugie's Moment, Deer Creek And More

* Ethan Gonzalez (left to right), Matteo Tonnos and Kaeden Dendorfer are all contenders for the RunningLane boys title on Saturday

Photo Credit: MileSplit

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. -- The hunt for sub-15 is back in the picture for just over 300 runners scheduled for the gold championship race on Saturday at the RunningLane Cross Country Championships. 

Just how many athletes have broken that mark in its history? 

The tally is at 110 -- and that's considering no single athlete crossed the line in under 15 minutes last year. 

With nerves and adrenaline shooting through the moon, anything can happen. A race can be lost in the first mile. A race can be won with a brilliant tactic. A team title can be earned with that earnest-but-reliable pack mentality. 

The jury is out on just what will happen, but we're not doubting this race will be among its most epic installments ever. 

And at the end of the line is a major payoff: A national title -- and a championship belt -- you can bring home. 

Top Teams To Watch

The Title Contenders:

No. 27 Deer Creek (OK); Cheyenne Mountain (CO); Skyridge (UT); No. 41 Brother Martin (LA); Farragut (TN).

The Next In-Line: 

Eagle Valley (CO); Orem (UT); Fort Collins (CO); Brownsburg (IN).

Related Links: 

The Girls Preview: Key People, Teams, Moments

Weekend Briefing

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We can't wait to see what's about to go down on the boys side. There are a couple different ways this road can veer. Deer Creek has had the best season of anyone in this field, and they are coming off a fourth-place finish at NXR South. But can the Oklahoma program round up one last effort to secure a national title they so covet? 

Cheyenne Mountain might be only starting to realize what they're capable of ... and could be one of the best team's in the country by next year. As this season turns into another, the Hawks have a chance to legitimize their future aspirations with an early success-story.

And then there's Skyridge. If history offers any advice here, the Utah team might have the best shot to win. American Fork (UT) won in 2020, and Riverton (UT) took top honors in 2022. Skyridge is coming off a sixth-place finish at the Southwest Region ... after finishing sixth in 6A at the state championships. That's a major step-up. With a full squad and potential brimming, this team could offer a ton of upside on Saturday. 

Individuals To Watch

The Frontrunners: 

Matteo Tonnos, Farragut (TN); No. 50 Ethan Gonzalez, North Richland Hills (TX); HM Luke Sievers, Rock Bridge (MO); No. 49 Riku Sugie, Thomas Nelson (KY); Isaac Rivera, Lincoln College Prep (MO); Jaden Merrick, Cedar Falls (IA); Jacob Sushinsky, Mullen (CO).

The Elite Packers: 

Daniel Hruska, Cherry Creek (CO); Kaeden Dendorfer, Valor Christian (CO); Aiden Le Roux, Cheyenne Mountain (CO); HM Henry Strand, Vestavia Hills (AL); Brody Woodcock, Deer Creek (OK); Tyler Blair, Eagle Valley (CO); Tate James, Orem (UT).

Don't Sleep On These Boys: 

Race Morrell, Cheyenne Central (WY); Brady Brennan, Rappahannock (VA); Joseph Jacquot, Atlanta Westminster (GA); Daniel Skandera, Alabama (AL); Ethan Adams, Horizon (CO).

Photo Credit: Jennifer Schoenegge

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The Final Word

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The last three champions to win here at RunningLane were from Colorado, California and New Mexico. All runners south by southwest. This year, we're picking an athlete out of the Southeast. 

Riku Sugie. The high school junior from Thomas Nelson High School (KY) is coming off a runner-up finish at the Foot Locker South Region, which booked him a trip to nationals on Dec. 9 in San Diego. That's good enough on its own. But we were also able to speak with Sugie a few weeks back, and what we learned from him is that a change in mentality has given him a new perspective on how to race in 2023. He was 55th in the gold race last year. This year, he picked up six wins, including his second straight Kentucky state title. We have him for the win here at RXC4. 

Where The Meet Will Be Won

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The Last 400 Meters

This race has often come down to the kick.

In 2020, Parker Wolfe surpassed Kamari Miller with 1,000 meters left. In 2021, Colin Sahlman broke away from his Newbury Park teammates in the final 400m. And last year, Sandia's (NM) Steven West's made his move -- and gritted his teeth -- with just under 1K to go. 

That's where we'll start here. 

We think it could be even closer as the field makes one last turn, from the final descent to the finish line. It's just under 300 meters of grass. Many of the runners in this field are top dogs in their state, but we don't think anyone will play their cards too early. 

So that leaves us thinking that it could be a sprint to the line -- and potentially one of the greatest races in RunningLane history. 

How Fast Will We Go? 

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After surveying the course on Thursday, John Hunt Park looks to be in pristine condition. 

When you couple state champions and emerging stars on a runner-friendly course, you tend to get high-level performances.

Of course, as last year proved, anything can happen. When weather happens, it changes the dynamics of any cross country competition.

Last year's race became more about battling the elements and vying for the win than for the time. But in a perfect world, you can have both. 

A total of 52 runners in history have broken 14:45 here in Huntsville. That might be a good place to start on Saturday. 

Sub-14:45 Runners In History At RXC