4 Underdog Boys Teams That Could Make An Impact In 2019

American Fork after the Westlake Grass Relays. 
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1. American Fork (UT)
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The guys from American Fork looked to be a long shot at chasing after another NXN berth in 2019 after making the national meet the last several years. The team returned only one guy from its 2018 squad that finished 13th at NXN, but this team looks like a group of veterans.

Producing some top-ranked teams over the years is something Coach Mostert has done well and this 2019 team is shaping up to be no different. They are led by senior Ashton Hysell who's the only one with NXN-level experience. In an interview after the Westlake Grass Relays, Hysell talked about trusting the team and the process. "I know that really we have a fast state and a fast region and our JV was really fast last year anyway and these boys are incredible," Hysell said.

"I don't really have to do much. I just do what I do and I know that they'll do the best that they're going to do and they're not gonna be far behind me if not at all," Hysell continued. 

The team's 1-5 spread over its first two meets were both under 50 seconds, and its speed ratings were all above 162 at the Pre Region 4 Meet. At the Pre Region 4 Meet American Fork faced off against some of the state's best teams in MileSplit50 No. 24 ranked Lone Peak (UT), No.8 ranked Corner Canyon (UT), and Skyridge (UT). They beat all three, scoring 29 points. Corner Canyon was without their top guy in Mark Boyle, but even adding him in it would appear that the Cavemen would still come out on top.  

Check out a breakdown of their early season meets below.

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Recent Meet Performance:

Pre Region 4 Meet: Aug. 28, 2019, Pleasant Grove, UT

Speed Ratings At Pre Region 4:

Boys Results - Top Teams
2     Nate Jaster          10  American Fork      15:55.91   171.36   171
3     Ashton Hysell        12  American Fork      15:59.66   170.11   170
4     Ben McBride          12  American Fork      16:01.88   169.37   169
9     Kooper Dibb          11  American Fork      16:17.69   164.10   164
11    Samuel Nelson        11  American Fork      16:20.09   163.30   163
12    Dylan Rawlings       12  American Fork      16:20.72   163.09   163
14    Nate Hess            11  American Fork      16:23.43   162.19   162

Wasatch XC Invitational: Sept. 7, 2019 Wasatch XC Course Soldier Hollow, UT