OREM—The stage is set for this year’s high school cross country championships following Divisional races held Oct. 10 at Lakeside Park in Orem.

Again this year, schools in both the 5A and 6A divisions were split into two groups to help seed top teams into state. Even with that split, some clear cut favorites emerged across the 5000 meter course.

GIRLS

In 6A girls, defending state champ Lone Peak looks to be unbeatable again. The Knights had five of the six fastest times, led by Andie Aagard who won in a time of 18:29.4. American Fork’s Avalon Mecham was a strong second at 18.31.3, but the next four finishers – places third through sixth – were all from Lone Peak. 

Farmington was seeded in the A section (for top teams) and finished fifth overall. Junior Skye Siddoway finished 12th in a time of 19:36.4 for the Phoenix. Her teammate, junior Alexis Bradshaw, came in 15th at 19:46.1. Farmington senior Tai Aston was 29th at 20:44.2.

In the B section, Davis freshman Isabella Cram was the top local finisher, coming in seventh at 19:49.5. The only other Davis runner in the top 35 was senior Allie Allen, 32nd at 21:10.2. Both Farmington and Davis girls advanced to state.

The 5A girls races found Springville and Timpview winning their respective divisions. Woods Cross finished fifth in teams scoring in the A section. Junior Katie Hansen led the Wildcats with a sixth place finish in a time of 19:51.4. Sophomore teammate Brie Nydegger was ninth at 20:23.2.  In the B section, Viewmont placed third and Bountiful ninth. Top local racers were Viewmont senior Naomi Egnew, 11th in a time of 20:40.6; Viewmont junior Audrey Lemon (15th, 20:51.6; Viewmont senior Keira Stacey (19th, 21:03.4); Viewmont junior Lyndsey Parke (23rd, 21:30.3; Bountiful senior Marje Richards (24th, 21:32.3) and Viewmont senior Allie Eliason (25th, 21:38.1).

BOYS

There wasn’t quite as much disparity among the 5A boys sections. Section B was won by Viewmont with a team score of 51, edging Maple Mountain. Section A was captured by Alta, with Woods Cross second. 

In section A, Woods Cross senior Brady Christensen was a strong third in a time of 16:15.5, just nine seconds behind winner Cole Jameson of Taylorsville. Woods Cross runners Micah Gillespie (11th, 17:03.7) and Brennon Koldewyn (12th, 17:06.0), both seniors, helped the Wildcat charge. Wildcat senior Jameson Blanchard also cracked the top 30, coming in 28th at 17:36.8)

Viewmont looked strong in Section B. Placing for the Vikings were senior Gabe Hooper (second, 16:12.7); senior Weston Egnew (eighth, 16:47.00]; junior Talmage Bruschke (11th, 16:57.9); junior Hayden Arbuckle (14th, 17:00.2); and junior Ben Hyde, 16th at 17:01.4). Bountiful junior Hayden Hooper placed 7th at 16:42.1.

In 6A boys, American Fork won section A with 21 points. Davis was 4th with 128 points, Top Davis finishers in section A were senior Isaac Lundberg (16th, 16:34.7) and junior Jonny Reed (18th, 16:45.7). In section B, Farmington finished fourth with 117 points. Junior Landon Sturgeon was the top Phoenix finisher in 11th place in a time of 16:17.9. 

All teams set their sights on the state championships that were held Oct. 14 at the Regional Athletic Complex in Rose Park.