10 Shreveport area high school boys cross country runners to watch in 2022
The 2022 cross country season gets off to a running start Sept. 3 with the first major area meet set for Sept. 10 when Parkway hosts the Border Dash in south Bossier City. For the first time, Louisiana cross country will be divided into five divisions, rather than seven.
“It’s an attempt to increase competitiveness,” Parkway coach Kent Falting said. “Along those same lines, all teams in all divisions will have to earn their way to state by placing in the top eight at newly created regional meets. LHSAA Class 5A teams have been doing this for the last six years, but it’s time for everyone to be a part of the process. This should definitely increase the excitement at the state meet.”
Among the new faces in cross country are Angel Turnbow at Airline, after moving over from Cope Middle School. Denise Cook has re-taken the reigns atCaddo Magnet after sitting out for four years, and Brandon Lewis-Graham is now the coach at Captain Shreve where he established several school records.
ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT: Byrd's Jenna Key tells why she stuck with cross country
2021 ALL-REGION XC: Here's who made the Times All-Region team last year
10 boys to watch
John Bartle
Byrd, Jr.
Why selected: Bartle must fill the shoes of All-State runner Trent Wells. He gained a lot of experience during the outdoor track season and is expected to build off his 3-mile personal record of 17:21.
Gabe Falting
Parkway, Jr.
Why selected: With personal bests of 4:31 (1,600), 9:51 (3,200) and 15:50 (3-mile), Falting is the Panthers’ top runner. He qualified for state in both the indoor and outdoor meets and was an All-District and All-Region selection.
Lincoln Gines
Airline, Sr.
Why selected: After dealing with some injuries last season, Gines is back to lead Airline and build off his personal records of 4:54 (1,600) and 17:12 (3-mile). Expect big things after a strong summer of training.
22 IN 22:Here are 22 Shreveport-area athletes to watch in 2022
Brody Hutchinson
Benton, Fr.
Why selected: Hutchinson was undefeated last year in middle school with a strong 5:00 time in the 1,600. He was All-District and should continue his success as he moves up to the 3-mile distance.
Evan Johnson
Captain Shreve, Sr.
Why selected: Shreve’s top runner has already started this season with a bang, finishing second in the Sportspectrum Firecracker 5K out of 2,000-plus runners. Johnson has been an All-District and All-Region performer.
Bryar Madden
Ruston, Sr.
Why selected: Known for his middle-distance speed, Madden is the fastest miler on this list with a time of 4:26. Bryar also led Ruston’s 4x800 relay to podium finishes at both the LHSAA indoor and outdoor state meets.
Bernebe Mancilla
Benton, Sr.
Why selected: Bernebe is Benton’s fastest returning runner. Although he has found success on the local level in cross country for both middle school and high school, Mancilla ran 56 seconds for the 400 in the 2022 outdoor track season.
Franklin “Tripp” Roemer
Loyola, Jr.
Why selected: Fresh off his second-place medal in the 3,200 at the LHSAA outdoor track meet, Roemer should make an immediate impact on the North Louisiana cross country scene. Expect his 3-mile personal record of 16:42 to drop at his first meet of the season.
Thomas Rogers
Ruston, Jr.
Why selected: Rogers is the area’s fastest returning cross country athlete with a 3-mile time of 15:18. He’s won multiple All-District and All-Region awards, and is expected to be one of the top runners in Louisiana.
Gary Smith
Parkway, Jr.
Why selected: Parkway’s No. 2 runner began making a name for himself as a sophomore as he led Parkway’s 4x800 relay team to the indoor and outdoor state meets while also recording personal records of 4:55 (1,600) and 16:38 (3-mile).
Jimmy Watson covers Shreveport-Bossier area sports. Email him at jwatson@shreveporttimes.com and follow him on Twitter @JimmyWatson6.
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Shreveport high school boys cross country runners to watch in 2022
