5 boys' cross country runners to watch

The boys' cross country season is fast approaching.

While much of the two-month season is done on the road, many local schools have at least one home meet.

The past year proved that this is a sport where the small schools shine the brightest. Many of the area's most promising stars earned Semoball Awards nominations as juniors and are coming back for more as seniors.

Here are five boys cross country runners to watch this fall:

__Reed Layton, Woodland__

Reed Layton finished fourth in Class 2 with a time of 16:58.1 to win the Semoball Boys Cross Country Athlete of the Year award. He, along with his younger brother, Calvin Reed, led the way for Woodland. The Cardinals host the Woodland Invitational on October 5.

__Bryce Gentry, Jackson__

Bryce Gentry was Jackson's only All-State runner after finishing 17th in Class 5 with a time of 16:00. His performance was key in the Indians finishing the Class 5 state meet in fourth place. The Indians will get the cross country season started for many schools when they host the Jackson Invitational on August 26.

__Jackson Unterreiner, St Vincent__

Jackson Unterreiner finished 17th in Class 2 with a time of 17:26.3. He was a key member of the St. Vincent Indians’ squad last year as a junior, and he looks to bring the same impact this fall. The Indians will host their home meet on August 30.

__Brock Hobeck, Oak Ridge__

Brock Hobeck finished 15th in Class 1 with a time of 17:46.7 to take home an All-State medal. He was the only All-State member for Oak Ridge, who finished third in the Class 1 state meet. The Blue Jays will host the Oak Ridge XC Invitational on September 19.

__Jaxon Houf, Van Buren__

Jaxon Houf helped Van Buren finish second in Class 1 last season by finishing 12th with a time of 17:36.7. He and senior Caleb Ricker formed a solid 1-2 punch for the Bulldogs last year. With Ricker moving on, it falls on Houf to lead the pack. Van Buren host the Scenic River Run on September 20.