Looking ahead: SEC boys cross-country

The 2024 Southeast Conference cross-country season is almost upon us, and once again the area teams are trying to knock Washington off its championship pedestal.

The Demons had a dominant year in boys’ cross-country last season. Washington won the SEC championship with 29 points, beating second-place Fort Madison by 51 points.

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Mt. Pleasant was right behind the leaders last season, finishing just 11 points behind Fort Madison for second place. Fairfield took fifth.

Conference champion Micah Rees was lost to graduation, but the Demons should still be among the favorites in 2024. He and Mt. Pleasant’s Ben Carthey were the only seniors in the Top-10 at last fall’s SEC meet.

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Without Rees in the front, Washington senior Tyler Alderton should be competing for the conference’s individual title, as will Washington junior Andrew Rees and Mt. Pleasant junior Jude Dykstra.

Listed below are last year’s SEC boys cross-country standings, with potential returners in bold.

VARSITY BOYS’ STANDINGS

1. Washington 29

2. Fort Madison 51

3. Mt. Pleasant 62

4. Burlington 97

5. Fairfield 131

6. Keokuk 180

TOP-10 INDIVIDUALLY: 1. Micah Rees (12), Washington 16:40.0; 2. Tyler Alderton (11), Washington 17:13.6; 3. Andrew Rees (10), Washington 17:20.0; 4. Jude Dykstra (10), Mt. Pleasant 17:22.8; 5. Ben Carthey (12), Mt. Pleasant 17:30.1; 6. Nolan Guzman (10), Fort Madison 17:32.8; 7. Jacob Shottenkirk (11), Fort Madison 17:33.2; 8. Locken Henderson (10), Mt. Pleasant 17:33.5; 9. Mason McLey (10), Fort Madison 17:33.5; 10. Joey Jolin (12), Burlington 17:39.6.