Virginia's Top Middle School Boys Distance Runners

The outdoor season has begun and that means it is time for a quick look into the Middle School Rankings and seeing who are our current leaders. Their season will culminate with the VA Middle School State Meet on May 23rd.

800m Run

Leading the way amongst 29 boys dipping under 2:30 and four boys under 2:20 is Louisa County's Bryce Whetzel. He is joined in this top five list by his teammate Noah Hilton who is also an 8th grader. These two definitely benefit from the established nature of both the Louisa MS program and there schedule that features quite a few meets. Their high school won the 4x8 just a few season ago so it is no surprise seeing two more half-milers on this list. 

Top 5 - 800m Run

1. Bryce Whetzel (Louisa County Middle) - 2:16.02 Henley MS Dual/Tri/Quad 4/3

2. Obadiah Crews (Altavista) - 2:19.00 Big Red Middle School Invite 3/28

3. Noah Hilton (Louisa County Middle) - 2:19.21 Henley MS Dual/Tri/Quad 4/3

4. Judah Groth (Southwest Virginia Academy) - 2:19.82 Greensboro Gladiators Invite 3/14

5.  Will Ditzel (Maury River) - 2:21.62 Henley MS Dual/Tri/Quar 4/3

1600m Run

Currently seven boys have broken 5:10 and four have dipped under 5:00. Leading the way here is 8th grader Franklin Fuller who has run 4:54.9 so far on the season. Fuller was on the victorious XC State champion team this past fall. 

Top 5 - 1600m Run

1. Franklin Fuller (Elizabeth Davis) - 4:54.90 PVMS vs Davis 3/11

2. Judah Groth (Southwest Virginia Academy) - 4:56.54 Andrew Lewis MS Meet #1 4/1 

3. Bryce Whetzel (Louisa County Middle) - 4:57.46 Henley MS Dual/Tri/Quad 4/3

4. Will Ditzel (Maury River) - 4:58.18 Henley MS Dual/Tri/Quad 4/3

5. Jaxson Kuzmich (Glenvar Middle) - 5:00.71 GMS Home Meet #2 4/7

32000m Run

In this eight-lap race, it is Noah Hilton leading the way. He leads just one other the 12:00 barrier and also ranks in the top five in the 800m run. His time is likely too drop too since he ran this fairly early on the season. 

Top 5 - 3200m Run 

1. Noah Hilton (Louisa Middle) - 11:47.11 Louisa Middle School Invite 3/21

2. Daniel Birch (Pacers Homeschool) - 11:49.13 Appomattox MS Invite 4/3

3. Connor King (Christian Heritage Academy) - 12:19.00 Big Red MS Invite 3/28

4. Reid Goodwin (Fluvanna County) - 12:21.29 Louisa Middle School Invite 3/21

5. Mekhai Smith (Locust Grove) - 12:30.1 1st Annual Warriors Showdown 3/14