Closing time 🔒
time for some cross country I guess
Don’t worry! It’s still not too late to sign up for the second Kansas City Metro Mile this Thursday June 8th at Rockhurst High School! Whether you are just looking to race and see what you are capable of, or whether you are trying to break four, the Metro Mile has races for all age groups and levels of talent! Registration is $20 per entry, UNLESS you are a girl with a PR of 5:25 or faster, because in your case it’s FREE! Come out and join the KC Running Company in a night of racing! You can register online and we’ll see you Thursday!
Some days a three-day weekend is good for more than just the chance to sleep-in an extra day, but when timed perfectly, it’s just what you need for a hangover! Whoa, I’m talking about my State Track hangover, what did you think I meant?
The biggest high school state championship in high school track & field came and went a weekend ago, with champions being crowned from 1A up to 6A. Legends were made, with seniors ending their high school careers on a high note, as underclassmen began making a name for themselves in their young careers. All-in-all, it was a historic and memorable weekend for Kansas track & field, and a bright blinding spot for the future of the sport throughout the state.
Here are thirty athletes who left their mark on the last state track & field meet at the Cessna Stadium we’ve known and loved for years.
Top Athletes
6A
Wyatt Haughton — Shawnee Mission East
The Brigham Young bound senior capped off his stellar high school career with three more state titles, ending his Lancer career with seven, which have all come since last May. Haughton completed the highly sought-after ‘distance triple crown’, with 6A state meet records in all three. Haughton began the weekend with the fifth fastest 3200m in state history, clocking 8:56.66, joining a small list of boys to go sub-nine in state history. Haughton won the 1600m and 800m also in state record times, running 4:12.93 and 1:51.92 to complete the trifecta.
Harli Omli — Manhattan
The Manhattan sophomore had herself a weekend to remember, winning 400m gold as well as finishing runner-up in the 200m and 5th in the 100m. For Omli’s first year in 6A, she seems to be adjusting quite nicely, scoring twenty-five points, the second most on the girls’ side in 6A over the weekend. Omli was also part of the runner-up 4x100m as well, notching four medals total in just her second state meet.
Val Galligan — Olathe Northwest
The junior thrower won double-gold over the weekend, while placing in the top-three in each throwing event. Galligan successfully defended her javelin gold from 2022, but wanted to add discus to her repertoire. With marks of 137-3 and 146-7, Galligan was able to hold off strong fields to win both the discus and javelin, increasing her career total to three. I can imagine Galligan will be back again next year with aspirations for triple-gold!
Josh & Jason Parrish — Olathe North
After simply dominating the state the past two years, the Parrish brothers will be absent from the high school track & field scene next year. Luckily for them and unlucky for the rest of the state, they went out on a high note, helping Olathe North defend their team title from 2022. Josh won the 110mH, long jump and triple jump, while taking second behind his brother Jason in the 300mH. Jason also ran both the 4x100m and 4x400m, taking silver and gold in the two relays. Jason also finished runner-up in the 100mH, as the twins combined for 60.5 points, which also would have won the team title. Josh ends his career as an Eagle with five state titles and nine total state medals, with Jason leaving with a pair of titles and four overall.
Olathe West Distance
I don’t think I could have gotten away with writing about just one or two of the Owls from the weekend. As a unit, these girls totaled 66 points from the distance races alone, including the 4x800m. If you wanted to throw in the 4x400m, you could! All-around, it was a dream weekend for the Owls as they were one of just two programs to win cross country in the fall and track & field this past weekend, along with St. James. Charis Robinson led the charge, as the senior won her first individual title, winning the 1600m in 4:55.52, with Bree Newport and Kate Miller finishing 3-4 in 5:03.82 and 5:08.71. That same trio also went 2-4-6 in the 800m, running 2:13.69, 2:16.93 and 2:18.86. In the 3200m, Kalyn Willingham, Newport and Baker went 2-3-4, running 10:54.86, 10:54.86 and 10:56.49, all PR’s. The 4x800m, made up of Liz Browning, Laynie Clements, Baker and Willingham, went 9:26.43, the third fastest time in the state this year. Browning, Miller, Newport and Robinson also finished runner-up in the 4x400m, concluding an incredibly busy yet successful weekend in Wichita!
5A
Tre Richardson — Highland Park
What a send off it was for the Scots super-athlete, as the Hutchinson bound football star racked two state titles, winning the 100m and long jump, along with a runner-up finish in the triple jump, and a fourth place finish in the 200m to total thirty-three points, which placed him 9th in the team scores. Richardson, known all season for being one of the most explosive athletes in the state, used his athleticism to dominate both on the track and in the sand.
Lillian Harris — Kapaun Mt. Carmel
The Washburn bound senior pulled off the coveted ‘Triple Crown’ in the sprints, winning the 100m, 200m and 400m in flying colors. Her 12.00 gave her plenty of breathing room in the straight-away sprint, and her 25.23 also was done in a relatively comfortable fashion. The 400m was far from comfortable, as she held off 5A favorite Ala’jah Brooks, winning 57.70-57.77. Harris’ thirty points helped propel the Crusaders to the podium, edging out Great Bend 52-51 for second place.
Isaac Ativie — Leavenworth
Though he didn’t leave Wichita with a state title, Ativie still left with four medals, including two runner-up finishes in the 100m (10.80) and 200m (22.33) , along with a 6th place finish in long jump (21-5.5) , and an anchor leg in the 4x100m (43.29) that saw the Pioneers finish 6th. Ativie’s performance on the track nearly helped Leavenworth to a top-ten team finish, but they finished just half of a point outside of it.
Bryce Barkdull — Andover Central
Another day, another 17-foot clearance for the best vaulter in state history. Just a junior, Barkdull cleared 17-1 to win his first 5A title, a whopping two-feet higher than his clearance from last year when he was runner-up to his older brother. Speaking of his brother, Bryce also broke Ashton’s state meet record from 2022, raising it to 17-1. Barkdull went for the national lead of 17-8, but came up just short in all three attempts.
Izzy Ross — Blue Valley Southwest
What a weekend for the now two-time state champion! Just a sophomore, Ross went into each of her two individual races and upset two juggernauts and defending state champions. Starting with the 1600m, Ross was squaring up with four-time state champion Katelyn Rupe, who was coming off of an all-out 3200m from the night before. Nonetheless, the pair battled for the majority of the race, until Ross took off and distanced herself, winning in 5:00.81. Just a few hours later, Ross came back and took down Bethany Druse, the defending champion, crossing in 2:15.77, a new PR. Ross also anchored the 4x400m to a fifth place finish in 59.58.
4A
Eli Gilmore — Tonganoxie
Clearwater’s two superstars helped land their squad in second behind powerhouse Andale, thanks to the four state titles the pair claimed. Trotter, who ends her high school career with seven state titles, defended both her 1600m and 800m wins from a year ago, running 5:12.63 and 2:17.98 to repeat, with Williams winning both the 100mH and 300mH in 14.87 and 45.13. Williams also took third in the 200m in 26.35. An interesting fact about Williams is she lost just once in her hurdle races this season, going 21-1 on the year. In addition to their individual titles, the pair also led and anchored the runner-up 4x400m.
Madison Williams & Hayley Trotter — Clearwater
Clearwater’s two superstars helped land their squad in second behind powerhouse Andale, thanks to the four state titles the pair claimed. Trotter, who ends her high school career with seven state titles, defended both her 1600m and 800m wins from a year ago, running 5:12.63 and 2:17.98 to repeat, with Williams winning both the 100mH and 300mH in 14.87 and 45.13. Williams also took third in the 200m in 26.35. An interesting fact about Williams is she lost just once in her hurdle races this season, going 21-1 on the year. In addition to their individual titles, the pair also led and anchored the runner-up 4x400m.
Mckenzie Fairchild — Andale
Dominance. Pure dominance from one of the best throwers in recent memory. The soon-to-be Aggie (Texas A&M) ended her Andale career with a back-to-back three-peat, once again winning the javelin, shot put and discus, with final marks of 157-3, 42-4 and 138-1. As she walks away from a career that had just three outdoor seasons, Fairchild leaves with nine top-two finishes at state, with seven of those being gold. Fairchild also etched her name in the state record books, sitting in 5th all-time in the javelin. Fairchild and company won the state title as a team as well, winning by a comfortable sixty-five points.
Andale Boy’s Throws
Just like the Olathe West distance squad, there were just too many names to mention for Andale throws! We’ll start off with the discus, where Riley Marx, Cooper Marx and Jackson Kraus finished 2-4-6, with tosses of 166-9, 149-8 and 149-0. They followed that up with a late night javelin competition, where Riley, Jonah Meyer and Cooper went 1-2-4, throwing 206-11, 202-6 and 186-4. Riley and Jonah sit in 9th and 12th in the nation with their throws from state, which if you didn’t know, is pretty good. In the shot put, Kraus decided he’d like a state title too, winning with a season best throw of 56-3.5, while Cooper took 7th with a heave of 48-6.25. Together, the four throwers tallied 51 points across three events, which was a key reason Andale held on for their 9th state title since 2007, and their second consecutive victory.
Mason Dobbins — Louisburg
Dobbins truly left everything out there this past weekend, nearly leading Louisburg to a team title, narrowly missing it by half of a point. Dobbins was everywhere, doing a little bit of everything. In the 200m, he finished 3rd in 23.07, as well as runner-up in the 100mH in 14.70. He won gold in the high jump with a clearance of 6-6, as well as helping the 4x100m place third in 43.38. Dobbins is taking his talents to Marysville, MO this fall, where he’ll join the Bearcats!
3A
Bree Allen — Prairie View
We knew Allen was going to have a great track season after a breakout sophomore campaign on the grass, but she exceeded expectations this weekend, distancing herself from the rest of 3A. Winning three distance state titles, all in exciting fashion, Allen now sits atop the class that was run by Jentrie Alderson (SE of Saline) just a year ago. Beginning with her 3200m, which she won in 10:55.92 (PR), was a twenty-nine second improvement from her previous best. In the 1600m and 800m, Allen set new PR’s in both events as well, winning in 5:09.17 and 2:19.37. Allen was expected to come out victorious in the further of the two distances, but a charge down the homestretch erased any doubt that Allen was the top dog in 3A, and isn’t going anywhere. Her efforts also helped Prairie View win the team title over Smoky Valley and Phillipsburg by half of a point.
Breanne Peters — Smoky Valley
Two state titles, two runner-up finishes, one more year to do even more. Peters had a heck of a state meet, winning gold in 100m (12.19) and 200m (25.44), as well as second-place in the triple jump (35-11) and pole vault (11-0). Peters truly has the skill set to be a top-tier multi-athlete.
Rachel Van Gorp — Olathe-Heritage Christian
In addition to having a fun last name to say, Van Gorp is something of a multi-athlete herself, thanks to her double gold in the horizontal jumps and all-state finishes in the 200m and 400m. Van Gorp out-jumped the field in the long jump with a leap of 17-9.5, and did it again in the triple with a 36-3.5. In the 200m, the junior took 4th in 26.20, and placed 3rd in the 400m with a 58.96. Just like Peters, Van Gorp will be back again next year with aspirations of more state titles.
Ashley Lehman — Hesston
A state title and three additional top-four finishes in your first-ever state track and meet isn’t good, it’s great! Lehman competed in the 100m, 200m and 400m, finishing 4th and 2nd in the shorter of the three, while running 56.53 to win the 400m in nearly a half-second PR. She also placed third in the pole vault, clearing 11-0, which matched her PR! Lehman totaled twenty-nine points as the Swathers placed 10th. The world is Lehman’s oyster, as she has three more years to get even better, and maybe even try out more events!
Trinity Academy Distance
If you didn’t know, Trinity Academy was really good at distance running, and it was more of the same for the Knights who won all three distance titles at Cessna. Sam Ferguson got it started off for the 3A cross country champs, outlasting Silas Miller and Will Meyer 9:20.23-9:20.90-9:21.59 in a race where it really came down to the last fifty or so meters. Clay Shively was out for a stroll, winning in 4:12.60, breaking the 3A state meet record from a year ago, with Ferguson (4:18.70) and Caleb Tofteland (4:23.35) taking second and fourth, putting up twenty-three points among the three. Shively made it a double-gold kind of day in the 800m, winning in 1:54.50, with teammate Ian Carroll taking 8th in 2:00.35. Overall, the Knights put up forty-four points across the three distance events, pushing the team on the podium in third.
2A
Haidyn Thompson — Garden Plain
Thompson had herself a BUSY weekend, and an even busier season, as it finally drew to an end with two state titles to her name. The junior won her first and second career state titles in the 100m (12.61) and long jump (16-8.75), which both paired nicely with a third place finish in the 200m (27.03). Thompson’s thirty-two race season finally reaches its conclusion, and now the state champ is rewarded with a much needed break.
Chesney Peterson — Stanton County
What. A. Career. During her time at Stanton County, Peterson lost just five times, with four of those coming during her freshman cross country season. Her last loss came 758 days ago, as she’s won her last 75 races. Her last three wins defined her distance legacy, as she won her 12th, 13th and 14th individual state title, all three with a complimentary 2A state record. She started her Friday morning with a 10:29.53, just two seconds shy of her lifetime best. The next day in the 1600m, Peterson ran another meet record of 4:50.13, followed by a 2:11.05, yes, also a meet record.
Lily Brown — Pittsburg-St. Mary’s Colgan
How many state titles does she need?!? Brown won a triplet of three state titles, winning the triple jump (38-4.75), high jump (5-4) and 100mH (15.34), complimented by a 3rd place finish in the 300mH (47.02). On her own, Brown scored thirty-six points, which helped St. Mary’s Colgan claim the last spot on the podium in 3rd. Brown will enter her senior year as the top returner in the three events she won titles in this season, and will be the second fastest coming back in the 300mH.
Payton Wurtz — Wabaunsee
Just a sophomore, Wurtz has already collected ten state medals, with eight of those being runner-up performances behind Peterson. With two years to go, Wurtz has paid her dues and will be undoubtedly the top dog in 2A. At the state meet this time around, Wurtz again ran the 400m, 800m, 1600m and 3200m, finishing runner-up in all but the 800m, with times of 59.69, 2:22.36, 5:17.53 and 11:33.29. Wurtz is on pace for twenty medals throughout her high school, which is incredibly impressive, especially considering a few of those have a great chance to be state titles!
Tanner Heckel — Inman
Despite the fact that he won’t be representing Inman next year, he left the Teutons with a pretty good consolation prize, as he led them to a state title in Wichita. He won a pair of titles in the long and triple jump, with marks of 22-11.5 and 45-2.75 to sweep the horizontal jumps that paired nicely with a runner-up 10.96 in the 100m and a 3rd place finish in javelin (178-4). Heckel accounted for 34 of the 51 Teuton points, and carried the team to their first-ever state title.
1A
Bryson Turner — Madison
The Madison senior had a historic season and an even more historic career as a Bulldog. A 24-1 record across his four trademark events and a trifecta of state titles, Turner did it all this outdoor season, showcasing his speed and pure athleticism. Turner won both the 100m and 200m, defending both titles from a year ago, in 10.94 and 22.79. He also added the long jump (22-2) silver and a triple jump (45-3.5) gold, totaling thirty-eight points over two days. Turner ends his Madison career with eleven state medals, six of those being state titles.
Evan Pearce — Wallace County
It was a pretty fun weekend for the junior, as he left Cessna with three new PR’s, and three top-three finishes. Pearce got his weekend started with a state title in the 3200m, winning in 9:58.07 in a race that went down to the very end. He followed that up with a runner-up finish in the 1600m (4:32.52), and a 3rd place finish in the 800m (2:01.35). Pearce will be a contender on the grass this fall, so he is definitely a name to keep in mind.
Bradley Bogert — Quinter
An all-around athlete, Bogert ended his season with state medals in the 110mH, 400m, and 200m. Bogert won gold in the 400m, and finished 2nd and 4th in the 110mH (15.16) and 200m (23.09). Bogert split a 48.90 in a controversial 4x400m that saw Quinter get DQ’d for what officials identified as interference. Regardless, Bogert had an exceptional state meet and will surely be back in a year with some vengeance.
Alec Carlson — Pawnee Heights
The senior was doing it all in Wichita, competing in four events, and finishing in the top four in each one! In the high jump, Carlson cleared 6-2 for runner-up, jumped 44-9.25 in the triple jump for another runner-up finish, and won the long jump with a new PR of 22-6.75. He also finished 4th in the javelin, with his best throw 160-5 earning him a medal. Carlson tallied 31 points on his own, helping his team to a 6th place finish! He’ll take his talents to Colby Community College in the fall where he’ll play basketball.
Anna Jueneman — Hanover
A state title, runner-up finish and a 4th place finish highlighted her sophomore season, setting PR’s in two of her state events. In the 100m (12.68), Jueneman ran a PR to keep her same position from prelims, followed by a runner-up finish in the 200m (26.80). In the 400m, the sophomore won her first state title, with a new PR of 58.88. It also caps off her undefeated season in the event, which saw her win all ten showings in the quarter-mile.
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