Michael Duran was the class of the 4A boys freshman class this spring and figures to be aiming for the top in cross country this fall. Photo by Alan Versaw.
On October 27, 2012, Eli Hemming and Bailey Roth battled hammer and tongs for the better part of three miles before Hemming eventually took the win.
Between now and then, Hemming and the next five places after Roth graduated. Seemingly, that would make Roth a shoo-in for this year.
Well, not so fast. A lot of things happen over the course of a year. Some of them indicate one way and some of them indicate another.
Indicating in Roth's favor this year is the fact that he posted the fastest 1600 and 3200 time in the state this spring, in all classifications. Since then, he has gone on to win a couple of big-deal steeplechases and qualify for the USA World Youth Games team in the steeplechase. Presumably, he is going to the Ukraine next week with winning on his mind. Roth is clearly on a roll.
But, all tha...