Not that long ago, Benton's John Beamon provided plenty of potential as a freshman phenom. Now a junior, Beamon is playing the mentor role to the Cardinals' next rising star.

Benton freshman Kain Ellis makes his first state appearance during today's Missouri Cross Country Championships in Jefferson City, Mo. The Cardinals' heralded rookie distance runner hopes to make an impact in his first trip to the rolling hills of Oak Hills Golf Course.

Despite his immense, natural talent, Ellis likely wouldn't be the runner he is today without Beamon's guidance.

"I think Kain has learned a lot this season from the things John has done," Benton coach Duane Kimble said. "He has been very good for Kain, and I think they've been good for each other."

Beamon's own history in the Class 3 state meet has not lived up to his own expectations. He led the team in 2007 but couldn't crack the top 100 because of a severe illness that sapped his energy. Despite a jump to 72nd a year ago, Beamon still didn't match the pace he believes he's capable of running.

Enter Ellis. The pair of talented Cardinals proved an effective complement to each other thanks to their mutually competitive nature.

When Ellis surged ahead of his teammate during the final straightaway at last week's district race, Beamon retook the lead with a tremendous finishing kick that earned a top-10 finish for the third straight season.

"It used to be if that started happening, (Beamon) would just keep fading, and he doesn't do that anymore," Kimble said. "They're both the same kind of kid. They love doing what they're doing. They just feed off each other, and they do that every day at practice.

"It's good to see both of them have success like that."

Benton's girls also send a solid, 1-2 punch to the Class 3 meet in seniors Taylor Woodruff and Blayr Bolton. Woodruff also struggled during her previous three trips to Jefferson City but has avoided the nagging injuries that haunted her throughout her career in her most consistent season to date. Another solid performance would give her a first all-state honor in four tries after finishes of 36th, 62nd and 72nd.

Bolton, meanwhile, has previous state experience but hasn't competed at Oak Hills since her freshman season - when she qualified individually and came in 101st.

Hamilton's girls will need another clutch showing in the Class 1 race to extend their state title run to six in a row. Led by sophomores Kathleen Clevenger and Makayla Moon, the Hornets expect Cass-Midway to challenge their streak but are familiar with narrow margins of victory. Hamilton beat College Heights Christian for the team title in 2005 on a sixth-place runner tiebreaker.

West Platte's boys - also perennial trophy contenders - reach the end of an area as longtime coach Charles Yaw leads the time for the last time before his retirement. The Blue Jays have earned Class 1 team trophies in eight of the past nine season, including three championships and three runner-up showings.

Other area teams competing for a trophy include Rock Port's girls (Class 1), Hamilton's boys (Class 1) and both teams from Smithville in Class 3.

Among city competitors, St. Joseph Christian's Hannah Olson hopes to reprise her top-five finish from last season, while Rachel Pankau of Central races for the first time at the Class 4 meet. Princeton's Blake Goodin also could be in the Class 1 mix as Princeton's first representative in the state meet.