It's good to be back👟🎽
couldn't think of a clever title this time around, so I'm open to criticism
Greg Wilson Classic
Last Thursday I posted up at Shawnee Mission Park for the latest edition of the Greg Wilson Classic, and boy did it live up to the hype I’ve been hearing.
First things first, the ladies of Olathe West are potentially more dangerous than they have been in years past. Starting with the individual winner and senior leader Charis Robinson, who battled it out with Shawnee Mission East junior Lida Padgett for the bulk of the 5000m, pulling away during the latter half of the race. Robinson crossed in 19:10.90, with Padgett ten seconds back in 19:20.40, lowering her PR by twelve seconds, which she set on the same course a year ago. While it was a battle between the Owls and Lancers for the individual title, it was the same back in the pack, as two 6A powers clashed in the one of the inaugural races of the year. After the dust settled and the scores came through, Olathe West won commandingly, as they put four in the top five, and six in the top fifteen. Even with a runner-up team finish, the Lancers put their name in the hat for the podium, starting their season with a 20:26.32 average for their top five, and a scoring split of just over two minutes, at 2:06.70.
Top 5 Finishers
Charis Robinson (Olathe West) — 19:10.90
Lida Padgett (SM East) — 19:20.40
Sydney All (Olathe West) — 19:38.21
Kate Miller (Olathe West) — 19:45.80
Bree Newport (Olathe West) — 19:50.30
Top 3 Teams
Olathe West — 24
SM East — 57
St. Thomas Aquinas — 79
On the boys’ side, we learned that Wyatt Haughton is still in the shape of his life, and isn’t showing signs of slowing down. After an outdoor season that saw Haughton run 1:54.64, 4:12.78, and 9:17.83 from 800m-3200m, he showed that he can still run a nasty 5k. In a battle that I’m sure we will see plenty more of, one of only two guys that beat state record holder Micah Blomker in 2021, did it again, this time by a larger margin than before. Last year at the Sunflower League meet, Haughton just edged out the Bison by a second and a half. This go-around, Haughton put eleven seconds between him and Blomker, leading Shawnee Mission East to the team title over Rockhurst and DeSoto, 57-67-88. The Lancers put two under sixteen, and two more under seventeen, and three more under eighteen. Haughton and co. are making their 6A competition aware of their presence, and what they are bringing to the table.
Top 5 Finishers
Wyatt Haughton (SM East) — 15:27.10
Micah Blomker (SM North) — 15:38.21
Sam Hurley (BVNW) — 15:41.30
Caden Peters (SM East) — 15:42.60
Palmer O’Connor (DeSoto) — 15:52.70
Top 3 Teams
Shawnee Mission East — 57
Rockhurst (Missouri) — 67
DeSoto — 88
Bobcat Invitational
As she enters her senior campaign, Kansas City-Piper senior Grace Hanson opened it up with a win, taking down a mixture of 4A and 5A competition to win by seventy-three seconds. Following a pair of state medals in the spring, one of which was a runner-up finish in the 1600m, Hanson kept up her momentum for a 5000m, clocking 19:47.50, the third fastest time from opening weekend in 5A. As Hanson took care of business for the win, it was the same mindset for the defending 4A state champions Eudora. Led by 2021 state runner-up Hanna Keltner (21:00.80), the Cardinals put three in the top five and four in the top eight, more than enough to take down some 5A competition.
Top 5 Finishers
Grace Hanson (KC-Piper) — 19:47.50
Hanna Keltner (Eudora) — 21:00.80
Sydney Owens (Eudora) — 21:35.10
Kate Penhallow (Spring Hill) — 21:41.60
Phoebe Fletcher (Eudora) — 21:44.80
Top 3 Teams
Eudora — 35
Spring Hill — 48
Basehor-Linwood — 67
*Logan Beckman enters the scene*
What better way to win your first high school cross country race than by doing it against some of the fastest boys in the state! If the times are any indication of how the race played out, I would imagine it was a matter of “who can run the last straight the fastest?” Spoiler, it was Beckman. In a time of 16:45.00, the sophomore stepped up big time against some of the state’s big dogs. Joining Beckman for the fun was Kansas City Christian’s Spencer Mumford and Shawnee Heights’ Jackson Esquibel, the pair running 16:47.60 and 16:47.70 for 2nd and 3rd. Along with the individual win, Beckman and the Broncos took down Shawnee Heights, one of the top returning teams in 5A, 56-60.
Top 5 Finishers
Logan Beckman (Spring Hill) — 16:45.00
Spencer Mumford (KC-Christian) — 16:47.60
Jackson Esquibel (Shawnee Heights) — 16:47.70
Zach Arnold (Eudora) — 17:06.20
Calen George (Spring Hill) — 17:20.40
Top 3 Teams
Spring Hill — 56
Shawnee Heights — 60
Eudora — 88
Silver Lake Invite
I can’t stress this enough, and I’ve said this before but Wabaunsee’s Payton Wurtz deserves so much more credit for her accomplishments she’s already garnered in her short career. Now that I’m off of my short-lived yet necessary tangent, let’s talk about how she is 1-0 in her sophomore debut. Doing so in comfortable fashion, Wurtz crossed the line seventeen seconds ahead of Osage City freshman Emory Speece, who ran 20:12.91 in her high school debut. In the team race, Wabaunsee put two in the top eight, but West Franklin’s five in the top twenty, led by Emma Bailey (20:35.89) and her third place finish. As one of the heavy hitters in 3A, West Franklin opens up their year in a very strong position.
Top 5 Finishers
Payton Wurtz (Wabaunsee) — 19:55.89
Emory Speece (Osage City) — 20:12.91
Emma Bailey (West Franklin) — 20:35.89
Jaiton Bosse (Osage City) — 21:11.12
Cheyenne Hittle (Royal Valley) — 21:37.78
Top 3 Teams
West Franklin — 46
Wabaunsee — 56
Osage City — 57
It was a good day for the Bailey siblings of West Franklin, as Hunter Bailey picked up the win on the boys’ side to complement his sister’s third place finish. Just a sophomore, Bailey recorded his third fastest 5000m ever (17:25.68), giving him a fifteen second win over Hiawatha’s Camden Bachman, who crossed the line in 17:40.33. Roles were reversed in the team race, as Hiawatha came out on top with West Franklin as the runner-up in a narrow team battle that was ultimately won by the Red Hawks, 41-48. With Wichita-Trinity and Southeast of Saline currently in a league of their own, the fight for the third and final spot on the podium will be between (and not limited to) Hiawatha and West Franklin.
Top 5 Finishers
Hunter Bailey (West Franklin) — 17:25.68
Camden Bachman (Hiawatha) — 17:40.33
Kyle Haner (West Franklin) — 17:59.24
Felix McCartney (Hiawatha) — 18:02.80
Jaemon Smith (Royal Valley) — 18:14.66
Top 3 Teams
Hiawatha — 41
West Franklin — 48
Silver Lake — 87
Abilene Invitational
The Trojans of Southeast of Saline continue to succeed, even with the absence of their 2021 state champions Jentrie Alderson and Dylan Sprecker. Last Thursday in Abilene, the ladies put five in the top eleven, and all eight in the top eighteen. Not to be outdone, the boys put their five in the top eight.
Ashley Prochazka, the senior leader for the squad picked up her first win of the season, winning over sophomore teammate Abby Commerford, with the pair running 21:04.90 and 21:58.60. This could be the first of many 1-2 finishes for the duo as they look to lead their program to what would be their tenth state title, and a successful three-peat. Taking third in her home invitational was Abilene junior Eden Bathurst in 22:09.80.
In the team race, it was considerably close through the first four runners of Southeast of Saline and Salina-Sacred Heart. Following Prochazka and Commerford were Breckyn Alderson and Cali Augustine in 5th and 6th. The Knights matched that as well as I think they could, putting Gracy Dorzweiler, Libby Kierscht, Eva Matteucci and Caroline Stone in 4th, 6th, 7th, and 8th respectively. In the end, it was Brenna Felzien and her 11th place finish that sealed the deal for the Trojans, five spots ahead of Lauryn Mikkelson in 16th.
Top 5 Finishers
Ashley Prochazka (SE of Saline) — 21:04.90
Abby Commerford (SE of Saline) — 21:58.60
Eden Bathurst (Abilene) — 22:09.80
Gracy Dorzweiler (Sacred Heart) — 22:09.80
Breckyn Alderson (SE of Saline) — 23:17.20
Top 3 Teams
Southeast of Saline — 25
Salina-Sacred Heart — 43
Abilene — 85
Like I mentioned just a bit ago, the boys team is doing quite well for losing seniors to graduation. It’s always pretty helpful when a freshman begins his high school career with a sub-seventeen 5k already to his name. In Abilene, it was a 1-2-3 finish for the trio of Levi Allen (16:59.40), Brayden Walker (17:17.60) (the freshman) and Damion Jackson (17:21.30). A few months ago I was thinking that it would be a lot harder than this for Saline to close the gap this quickly with their 3A foes, but here they are. Drew Elliott of Chapman was the first finisher not wearing purple, finishing 4th in 17:34.70.
Winning by a whopping forty-three points, the Trojans took down Marion and Chapman, 19-62-80. You know it’s a good day on the course when 1/3 of the top thirty finishers are all wearing the same uniform.
Top 5 Finishers
Levi Allen (SE of Saline) — 16:59.40
Brayden Walker (SE of Saline) — 17:17.60
Damion Jackson (SE of Saline) — 17:21.30
Drew Elliott (Chapman) — 17:34.70
Cayden Walker (SE of Saline) — 17:55.40
Top 3 Teams
Southeast of Saline — 19
Marion — 62
Chapman — 80
Meade Invitational
Well, she would have finished 6th in the boys race, but I guess winning the girls race will have to suffice. Instead of the traditional 5000m, the lovely folks at Meade prefer a season opening 3200m, because why not? It’s fun to give the athletes different distances early in the year since they’ll be running the 5k nearly every other weekend.
In what will be her final season in a Stanton County uniform, Chesney Peterson did what we expected, and along the way ran the sixth fastest 3200m of her career, on any surface. It took her 11:21.20 to make her way through the 3200m course, winning by nearly ninety seconds over the field. Meade’s Madison Sutterfield took second, running 12:50.21. In third was Peterson’s teammate, the always reliable Suzanne Farnham, running 12:59.65 to take a comfortable third.
The team race was closer than Stanton County may have liked, taking down Southwestern Heights by five points, winning 54-59. Granted, the Mustangs are a class up in 3A, so I’m sure the Trojans are content with their narrow win.Top 5 Finishers
Chesney Peterson (Stanton County) — 11:21.20
Madison Sutterfield (Meade) — 12:50.21
Suzanne Farnham (Stanton County) — 12:59.65
Ozia Trujillo (Southwestern Heights) — 13:15.25
Kylie Stapleton (South Gray) — 13:28.94
Top 3 Teams
Stanton County — 54
Southwestern Heights — 59
Liberal — 67
It was a classic “Stanton County Sweep” (trademark pending), as Kamryn Golub picked up the win on the boys’ side, taking down 1A contender Logan Keith of Meade, 10:30.11-10:40.96. I’ll repeat the statistic again for these two, because I think it’s incredibly impressive. This was Golub’s 9th fastest 3200m of his career, and Keith’s 3rd fastest. I’d say that both are in tip-top shape heading into the long season, and both look to translate a strong 3200m to an even stronger 5000m. In third, just barely behind Keith was Liberal’s Cesar Pavia in 10:41.81.
Led by Pavia, Liberal put their five in the top thirteen, enough to beat Meade 34-44 in the team race.
Top 5 Finishers
Kamryn Golub (Stanton County) — 10:30.11
Logan Keith (Meade) — 10:40.96
Cesar Pavia (Liberal) — 10:41.81
M.J. Foster (Liberal) — 10:53.09
Samuel Martinez (Kiowa County) — 11:09.49
Top 3 Teams
Liberal — 34
Meade — 44
Stanton County — 80
Goodland High School Invitational
If you thought she was good with a broken leg, boy do I have some news for you. Golden Plains’ Emma Weiner is back for her junior year and is already in great form. A year ago, she won the state title with a broken fibula, and then she added another title in the 3200m in May. This fall, she’ll look to add some more to her collection, and is already on pace to do that and more. Last year, she opened the season with a 21:05.47 at the same meet, and this year she shaved fifty seconds off, running 20:15.10 to secure the win by eighty-eight seconds. Taking second and third were Holcomb sophomore Jenera Ardery and Norton Community senior Jaelyn Rumback, in 21:43.20 and 23:07.70, respectively.
The team victory went to Norton Community, putting four runners in the top nine. They were able to comfortably knock off Holcomb and Oakley, 35-62-64.
Top 5 Finishers
Emma Weiner (Golden Plains) — 20:15.10
Jenera Ardery (Holcomb) — 21:43.20
Jaelyn Rumback (Norton Community) — 23:07.70
Savana Rumback (Norton Community) — 23:11.80
Jaelle Johnson (Oakley) — 23:22.10
Top 3 Teams
Norton Community — 35
Holcomb — 62
Oakley — 64
It was all Alex Luce of Lakin at the Sugar Hills Country Club, winning the first race of the year in 17:42.00, distancing himself from runner-up Brody Deniston, who began his high school career in the seventeens, clocking 17:56.90. Behind Deniston was a trio of Holcomb teammates, as Eirik Ramos, Jeb Stoppel, and Landen Leonard went 3-4-5, in 18:18.30, 18:26.80 and 19:00.70. Averaging 18:55 across their top five, Holcomb won the team race over Scott Community and Norton Community, 32-46-77.
Top 5 Finishers
Alex Luce (Lakin) — 17:42.00
Brody Deniston (Holcomb) — 17:56.90
Eirik Ramos (Holcomb) — 18:18.30
Jeb Stoppel (Holcomb) — 18:26.80
Landen Leonard (Holcomb) — 19:00.70
Top 3 Teams
Holcomb — 32
Scott Community — 46
Norton Community — 77
What else did you miss?
Tim Nixon Invitational
Not too far past the state line at the Tim Nixon Invitational in Liberty, MO, a couple of Kansas schools went up against some of the best that our neighbor to the west has to offer. Washburn Rural sophomore Payton Fink came less than five seconds away from her first high school victory, running 19:01.8 in her sophomore debut. Also making her second-year debut was Mill Valley’s Charlotte Caldwell, who is now leading a Katie Schwartzkoph-less Jaguar team. Caldwell ran 19:13.6, enough for a fifth place finish. Olathe North junior Shea Johnson took 7th, running 19:36.6. Mill Valley was the top Kansas team, taking 3rd, with Washburn Rural and Olathe North taking 6th and 8th as each squad ran without their number one returners in Maddie Carter and Anjali Hocker-Singh. Olathe South broke up the two, taking 7th.
On the boys’ side, the defending champs Olathe South ran exceptionally well, despite being short-handed. Led by Bennett Meoli and Cole Burkholder who took 6th and 9th in 16:00.4 and 16:09.8, the Falcons took home second place behind a dominant Liberty North squad. Washburn Rural took 8th, as three of their top four returners broke seventeen for the first time. Watch out for Jr. Blues as it appears Matt Swedlund’s boys put in some summer miles.
St. Olaf High School Showcase
Blue Valley Southwest sent their varsity squads up to Northfield, MN, to the St. Olaf High School Showcase. The Timberwolves put four under seventeen on the boys’ side, taking 5th out of 45 teams. The ladies ran without sophomore Izzy Ross, still taking 17th out of 38 varsity programs.
Manhattan Invitational
Let me start with this. When Salina-Central sophomore Katelyn Rupe ran a 17:40 5000m on the roads in Abilene last month, I knew she would be in shape. I did not think she would open up her season with a 17:45.30. Granted, she clearly put in her fair share of summer mileage and is on the brink of A LOT of untapped potential. The 5A race got even more interesting than it was already slated to be.
On the boys’ side, Lenny Njoroge opened up the year in 16:00.80 on an unforgiving course, winning by forty-two seconds. After breaking his leg last year and having to miss his junior season, I’d say he is returning quickly to his sophomore year form where he ran 15:57.30. The team race was all Wamego, as the 4A state contenders put four in the top nine, going 2-4-7-9, totaling just 36 points. They had 71 points between them and the runner-up, and I’d say they just put the rest of 4A on notice.
JK Gold Classic
Down in Wichita, it was Kapaun Mt. Carmel who impressed, as the boys went 7-8-9-10-16, taking down competition from 4A-6A. They averaged 16:55 and had a blazing pack time of thirty-nine seconds, as the Crusaders took down defending 3A state champions Wichita-Trinity and Gardner-Edgerton 50-86-87. It was more of Kapaun Mt. Carmel in the girl’s team race as well, as they put three in the top eight, taking down Bishop Carroll and Maize South 74-85-86.
For the individual accolades, it was Maize’s Kaleb Glazier and Circle’s Brett Jacobson who crossed the line first, running 16:06.30 and 19:48.70 to outlast the field. Clay Shively (16:19.70) and Parker Walion (16:23.70 of Wichita-Trinity and Gardner-Edgerton took second and third behind Glazier. Isabella Ponce (20:01.20) and Taylor Barringer (20:01.50) rounded out the top three on the ladies’ side.
The Winner Board 🥇
Tescott Invitational
Carson Fouard — Ell-Saline
Kezi Bachman — Smoky Valley Home School
Smoky Valley Invitational
Timothy Parrish — Sterling
Avery Boydston — Ellis
Mission Valley Invite
Kodi Downes — Council Grove
Jordyn Picolet — Council Grove
Meade Invitational
Kamryn Golub — Stanton County
Chesney Peterson — Stanton County
Labette County XC Invitational
Drake Guymon — Cherokee Southeast
Anna Cantrell — Labette County
Greg Wilson Classic
Wyatt Haughton — Shawnee Mission East
Charis Robinson — Olathe West
Great Bend/Hoisington HS Invitational
Kaiden Esfeld — Great Bend
Addy Nicholson — Great Bend
Goodland HS Invitational
Alex Luce — Lakin
Emma Weiner — Golden Plains
Concordia Invitational
Grant Smith — Clay Center
Alayna Cossaart — Minneapolis
Clearwater Invitational
CJ Meyer — Wichita Collegiate
Hayley Trotter — Clearwater
Bobcat Invitational
Logan Beckman — Spring Hill
Grace Hanson — Kansas City-Piper
Jerry Howarter Invite
Bryce Roberts — Santa Fe Trail
Bree Allen — Prairie View
Abilene Invitational
Levi Allen — Southeast of Saline
Ashley Prochazka — Southeast of Saline
Wichita County Invitational
Brenden Ellis — Ingalls
Breanne Ricke — Wichita County
Thomas More Prep Monarch Invitational
Jonah Godina — Hutchinson-Trinity Catholic
Saige Betz — Quinter
Silver Lake Invite
Hunter Bailey — West Franklin
Payton Wurtz — Wabaunsee
Marysville XC Invite
John Langill — Nemaha Central
Hailey Nordhus — Nemaha Central
Manhattan HS Invitational
Lenny Njoroge — Topeka West
Katelyn Rupe — Salina Central
JK Gold Classic
Kaleb Glazier — Maize
Brett Jacobson — Circle
Jefferson West Invitational
Joshua Presley — Christ Preparatory
Adelaide Hydeman — Christ Preperatory
Wildcat Classic
Connor Burkdoll — Central Heights
Lilly Skalsky — Olpe
Olathe East Invitational
Carter Stewart — Olathe East
Quinn Hays — St. James Academy
Hello Rocky Top!
Chesney Peterson is exchanging her maroon and gold for the checkered orange! The ten-time state champion announced today that she has committed to the University of Tennsessee, joining a program that is now in the Sean Carlson era. For those unfamiliar with their new head coach, he built Notre Dame into a men’s national powerhouse, and also coached Yared Nuguse, a Tokyo 2020 Olympian in the 1500m. Congratulations Chesney, don’t forget about all of us when you’re famous!
Well folks, it’s late, but it’s in your inbox! I would’ve sent it out earlier, but my duties as an uncle came to the forefront! I tried to introduce a new format where I go a little in depth on a meet that was impactful or big for each of the six classifications. That’s not me saying that if I didn’t write about your meet, then it’s not important! It’s okay, put down the torches and pitchforks. If any of you have any suggestions or ideas, I would be more than happy to try out some different ideas to build the best cross country newsletter.
As we head into the weekend, we’re taking our talents to the Wamego Invitational in the morning, and then Olathe Twilight in the evening, and a K-State thrashing of Missouri in-between. Hopefully we some of you at either one, and if we don’t, hopefully you’re enjoying some cross country one way or another.
Thank you for reading and supporting this! If you aren’t already, follow us on Instagram and Twitter, and let any track & field fan know about this so they can stay up to date on Kansas athletics! If you have any questions, comments or concerns, feel free to reach out to us through our email ksxcountrytandf@gmail.com
