Contributor: Nerd the Third
It took two XC seasons and an entire track season for Carson Noecker of Hartington Newcastle to lose a race before Payton Davis of David Aquinas edged him by 0.7 seconds in the 2021 Class C State track 1600. His comment after that race: "That was fun!" Don't feel bad for Carson. He's a two-time State XC champion, the 2020 all-class XC champion (15:22), and the 2021 Class C 3200 champion (9:24). He's also a legitimate contender for a second all-class gold, although several boys in Class A will give him a stiff test.
Connor Wells was dominant in the mid-distance races at State track, winning the Class B 400 (49.25) and 800 (1:55.72). The next group of returners is exceptionally close, so there will be a dogfight for top five medals. I've listed the top 16 returners below, including Addison Smith of Bloomfield-Wausa, which is moving from Class D to Class C this year. AJ Raszler, who finished 22nd last year and would have been a top-15 returner on time, is not on the list below because Platteview has moved up to Class B this year.
Carson Noecker, Jr, Hartington Newcastle (1st, 15:22)
Conner Wells, Sr, St. Paul (3rd, 16:43)
Daniel Bashtovoi, Sr, Sidney (7th, 17:01)
Brady Thompson, Sr, O’Neill (10th, 17:05)
Elliott Reitz, Sr, Milford (11th, 17:05)
Jacob Rupp, Sr, Ft. Calhoun (13th, 17:11)
Gavin Geneski, Jr, Pierce (14th, 17:12)
Ty Brockhaus, Sr, Malcolm (15th, 17:13)
Jesus Zavala III, So, Wayne (16th, 17:20)
Lance Olberding, Jr, Ft. Calhoun (17th, 17:22)
Ryan Garvey, Sr, Omaha Concordia (20th, 17:29)
Addison Smith, Jr, Bloomfield-Wausa (13th in Class D, 17:31)
Konner Verbeck, Sr, Minden (23rd, 17:31)
Cooper Land, Sr, Minden (24th, 17:33)
Carter Roth, Sr, Milford (25th, 17:34)
Logan Lebo, So, Lincoln Lutheran (27th, 17:38)
