We talking bout' practice👟
the future of the Kansas Relays, a preview of 4A boys and 3A girls, a very subtle nod to a 76er's legend
Only four-tenths of a second separated Tonganoxie’s Eli Gilmore and Eudora’s Zach Arnold at the Pleasant Ridge Invitational last fall. Gilmore stayed unbeaten against Arnold, setting a new PR of 16:06.40, to Arnold’s 16:06.80. In their head-to-head history, Gilmore has won all nineteen matchups, from the 1600m and 3200m and in cross country. I will say, Arnold severely closed the gap on Gilmore in 2021, nearly taking him down twice, losing both by less than half of a second. Though Arnold seems to be right on Gilmore’s shoulder every time the pair toe the line together, Gilmore finds enough to hold him off. With Gilmore entering his senior year, and Arnold only a junior, it will be the last preparatory cross country season where we’ll get to see this matchup.
Eli Gilmore is fresh off his highest ever finish in any state competition, taking 3rd in both the 1600m and the 800m behind two 4A legends, Tanner Newkirk and Sawyer Schmidt. As I mentioned last week, both of them are on to collegiate competition, along with Tanner Lindahl of Buhler. This leaves the door open for Gilmore, making him one of only four returners from the state’s top ten finishers last fall in Wamego. An advantage that the Tonganoxie stud has over the field is his experience, with him being the fastest returning senior in the field. He also has plenty of expertise when it comes to racing at the Wamego Country Club, and in state competition. The lead Chieftain has raced on the course six times throughout his career, and has never let more than eight people beat him in a race there. It also helps that as of now, he’s perfect when it comes to state medals. Out of the six state championships he has qualified for, he’s earned a medal in each one, with five of those being in a top five finish. In my eyes, Gilmore is the favorite in 4A for the individual title, but a strong chase pack is right behind him.
Hey (Zach) Arnold!
You could make a strong argument in favor of Arnold on how he could be considered the favorite to win it all this year, and believe me, I considered it. I made a spreadsheet and everything. There are a lot of factors in favor of the Eudora junior. He was coming on strong late in the track season, collecting PR’s of 4:38.41 in the 1600m and 9:52.42 in the 3200m, which helped him to a sixth place finish at state. Heck, he ran nearly the exact same time as Gilmore and almost edged him out in a sprint finish on two separate occasions. Even if it’s not this year (which it could be, I’m not a psychic!), I don’t believe for a minute that he’ll graduate without a state title, especially considering he’s still got two years left.
The Three Musketeers of Smith, Elliott, & Stegman
The next closest runner to Gilmore and Arnold is Clay Center senior Grant Smith. For a guy who ran 16:10.56 last year at regionals, he sure didn’t get a lot of recognition for it. He followed that up with a sub-seventeen on a tough course at state, where he got 8th in the field. He’s out there running a 16:10, and we’re in here, talking about practice. Keep in mind, Smith was the 5th place finisher at regionals in track in both the 1600m and 3200m, and I bet he’s got some sort of fire under him and is ready to roll.
In his first year of high school, Chapman’s Drew Elliott didn’t wait long to introduce himself to 4A. Though he never won a meet, he only finished out of the top ten twice, and took 13th at state to snag his first medal. Just like Smith, his PR came from the regional in Topeka at the Stateland Course, but a 16:25.52 is a 16:25.52, I don’t care what you say. He had already broken seventeen twice before that, and only ran in the 18’s once all year. With a year under his belt, Elliott is in the mix for a top five finish, so when he has a great year, expect a letter in your mail the first week of November that reads “I told you so.”
Wamego senior Brady Stegman is leading the way for a team that only lost one runner out of its top seven. Yes, it was their number one Noah Morenz, but they’re still in good shape despite the loss. Stegman sports a 16:27.12 from last fall, and was fairly consistent throughout the year. He closed out the medalists last year after finishing 20th, and would love to work his way up. Coming off of a state medal in the 3200m and a shiny new PR, expect Stegman to be in the front pack as well, hoping to put Wamego in a position to prevent Buhler from winning their 5th straight state title.
Speaking of Buhler, is this the year they get dethroned? I don’t know, I’m not one to make bold statements like that. I will say, this will be another year that the Crusaders are tested by the Red Raiders. It will definitely be a tight battle for both squads, let me tell you that. Buhler lost their leading man Tanner Lindahl to graduation, along with their number two in Hayden Keller, just as Wamego lost Morenz. However, each team returns the rest of their state teams, and are ready to roll. Buhler is aided by six of the top twenty 4A returners, led by Kaden Lohrentz (16:34.30) who took 11th last fall. Austin Lindahl (16:53.20, Wyatt Bunce (17:05.00), Henry Trumpp (17:17.80) and Cody Bunce (17:22.70) all placed in the top twenty-five in 2021, and are slated to move inside the top twenty if all goes well. This list does not include Spencer Hines, who ran 17:26.60 and didn’t race past October 14th. He is back for another time around, adding even more depth to the defending champs.
Joining Stegman in their chase for their first title since 2012 is Emery Wolfe, who brings a 16:37.77 into the season, as Harrison Cutting follows with a 17:05.30. Rounding out Wamego’s top five are Hayes Rickstrew and Alec Hupe, both running 17:31.23 and 17:31.30. Buhler owns a quicker pack time, but Wamego nearly has two in front of their one. It’s going to be close for sure, and it’ll make for some good racing over the next two months.
Abilene, Hayden and Eudora are playing for third right now, but all have what it takes. Each squad has something different in their favor that has the chance to be the “it” factor. Abilene has the pack time along with a very strong front three (Tristin Cottone, Grant Walte, Dayton Wuthnow) who could be enough to stay in front of the rest of the field. Hayden just lost their greatest runner in school history and two others to graduation, but return four boys under 17:50, and are led by junior Aiden Amis (17:10.41). Their fifth runner is farther back than they might like, but the shorter that gap gets, the closer the Wildcats get to the podium. For the Eudora Cardinals, obviously Zach Arnold is a huge advantage and is a great runner for the rest of the top five to chase. Ranging from 17:48.50-18:54.40, that group could turn into more of a tight-knit pack and start working their way closer to Arnold, sheesh. It’ll be scary to see what they can do over the course of their season.
Perhaps a changing of the guard?⚔️
Jentrie Alderson leaves Southeast of Saline with six individual state titles and two cross country team titles to her name. Winning on the grass in 2019 and 2021, she won double gold in the 1600m and 3200m in both 2021 and most recently in 2022. She was undefeated this spring on the track, winning all fifteen races. She also won all nine of her races during the cross country season last fall, making her a perfect 24/24 during her senior campaign. As she moves on to Pittsburg State where she’s sure to become a star, a sophomore from Prairie View High School is ready take her spot on the 3A throne, that has been occupied primarily by Alderson since 2019.
Bree Allen shot onto the scene last September, winning her first high school cross country race at the Fort Scott Invitational. The lowest she finished last year was 2nd place, winning four races and finishing as the runner-up at the Wellsville Invitational and the state championship. In the spring, she raced twenty-one times, in either the 800m, 1600m or the 3200m. She took 3rd, 3rd, and 2nd in the distance trifecta at the state championships, giving her three more state medals in her first year of high school.
During her freshman campaign, there were only five athletes who ever beat Allen, and three of them graduated, leaving Columbus’ Montana Ohmart and Heritage Christian’s Hannah Thong in contention. She returns as the fastest individual, having a 19:15.91 PR to her name, sixteen seconds faster than Thong. Her 19:15.91 wasn’t a fluke either, as she still ran 19:30 at the challenging Wamego Country Club. With Thong not competing in track during the spring due to her starring for Heritage Christian’s soccer team, I’d argue Allen is the favorite to take advantage of Alderson graduating.
Granted, Hannah Thong, Campbell Odell (Fredonia) and Alayna Cossaart (Minneapolis) don’t plan on going down easily. Out of the three, Thong is the only one to beat Allen head-to-head, and is sporting the second fastest time out of all returners, running 19:27.10 at the 2021 Maranatha Invitational. She’s qualified as an individual twice in her two years at Heritage, going on to finish 16th her freshman year, and 3rd last year as a sophomore. Like I mentioned earlier, Thong didn’t run track this spring and played soccer instead, which is exactly what she did prior to her 2021 season, when she was the third fastest girl in 3A. This year I’m not sure what to expect, but I’m sure she’ll be ready to go when it matters.
Odell and Cossaart both had opposite endings last fall, as Odell finished 5th at state, and Cossaart didn’t race after finishing 2nd at regionals the week before. Personally, I don’t know what kept her from racing, and I’m not going to make any assumptions. Nonetheless, both girls are back for another time around this fall, and are the third and fourth fastest returners as a junior and senior. Odell ran 19:38.00 in the first meet of the season last year in Girard, while Cossaart’s PR came in Hesston in her second race of her junior year. With both girls being consistent all fall, they have what it takes to close the gap on Allen and Thong, though it won’t be a walk in the park.
No, Jentrie Alderson, no problem. Well, scratch that. Let me re-phrase that. Even though the Trojans are losing their six-time state champion to graduation, a top five core with zero seniors and only one in their top seven, returns in 2022 planning for business as usual. Leading the way is junior Ashley Prochazka, one of only six returners with a PR below twenty minutes. A year ago she finished 11th in Wamego, helping her teammates put three in the top twenty and six in the top thirty-three. Helping Prochazka on the quest for a three-peat is sophomore Abby Commerford, who took 6th in her first state meet. The front two for Southeast of Saline are about a minute ahead of the team’s third runner, but their 3-5 are only thirteen seconds apart from one another, still giving the squad an eighty-two second pack time, the fastest split among the top four teams. Cali Augustine (21:05.80), Brookelyn Adams (21:17.40), and Sadie Franklin (21:18.40) round out Wade Casselman’s top five. Their six and seven are only a minute back from the second pack, but the closer they get the more comfortable their wins should be.
I don’t think to anyone’s surprise, but the back-to-back champs seem to currently be in a league of their own, and, no, I don’t mean that movie with Madonna. However, Cheney and Sabetha, who were both left off of the podium a year ago, and Prairie View (3rd in 2021 are jockeying for the next two spots on the podium.
Cheney and Sabetha are almost in identical scenarios in terms of where their returners rank and all of that good stuff. Don’t believe me? Then check this out!
The Cheney Cardinals
Abbye Hudson — 20:26.00
Kinslee Ingram — 21:18.20
Taelyn Hoch —21:29.60
Tatum Ingram — 22:22.00
Lakin Green — 22:52.70
Brynne Hoeme — 24:28.00
Ada Meyer — 25:59.50
The Sabetha Bluejays
Mary Lukert — 20:43.90
Leah Lukert — 21:18.18
Laura Metzger — 21:40.30
Elly Clinton — 22:15.47
Lauren Bowles— 22:54.25
Emerson Montgomery— 25:01.77
If that looks like pure nonsense to you, don’t worry! It looked like nonsense to me for the first few minutes I was looking at it!
Now that I’ve come to terms with it, let me try and explain what it all means. Each team has their clear front runner who are the 9th and 12th fastest returners from a year ago. Their number two runners both ran 21:18, and only differed in the decimal by two-hundredths of a second. Their number three is a little farther back, but still well under the twenty-two minute barrier. Their fourth runner is both under 22:25, and is followed by a teammate in the low 22:50’s. It’s crazy! Whatever advantage Cheney has, Sabetha would make up for it throughout their scorers, and vice versa! I just love cross country!
It will be interesting to see how this team matchup plays out over the course of the season, and then on the beautiful course that is Rim Rock Farm.
Don’t leave Prairie View out of the fun though! All top six runners from state a year ago are back, and none of them are seniors, meaning they’ve got time. With the state runner-up leading the way for them, I’d say that the Buffaloes are a dark horse for an upset on the podium. I mean come on, they took third a year ago, why not again? #SkoBuffs
I think this race is going to have a lot of action, and I, for one, am pretty excited.
The Future of the Kansas Relays
A few weeks ago, it was announced that Baker University’s Director of Cross Country and Track & Field, Tim Byers had stepped down from his role to take on a new role at the University of Kansas where he was named the new Meet Director for the program. During his time in Baldwin, he led the men’s cross country team to three conference championships, including back-to-back titles in 2019 and 2020. ← That’s my subtle flex for the newsletter #GrandWho? He also helped lead the track & field programs to four men’s conference titles and two women’s titles. He’s coached conference champions, national qualifiers, and national champions, using his knowledge on the track and in the field. He was also six-time Heart of America coach of the year, and was nominated for National Coach of the Year on several occasions. Needless to say, he’s got some street cred.
Seriously though, Tim Byers is one of the greatest men that I know and I can’t thank him enough for what he did for me during my four years I had him as a coach. He was a great role model, a great coach, and had some of the best calves that humanity has to offer. That may sound like a weird note, but he prided himself in keeping those calves in tip-top shape. Fine, I’ll drop the calves, but if you ask around Baker’s campus, I’d say 1 out of 5 people would tell you about them.
With the Kansas Relays taking a leave of absence the last two years, they’re finally making their long-awaited return this April for their 100th anniversary. Lucky for you, we get an inside look at the future of the historic meet, and the rest of the meets hosted by the Jayhawks.
1. A couple of weeks ago, you were entering your 28th year of coaching collegiately, and then all of a sudden you were finally offered your dream job as the Meet Director for the Jayhawks. How difficult was it to decide it was time to take on a new role in the sport and step down from your job as the Director of Cross Country and Track & Field at Baker University?
I am a born and raised Lawrence kid. I was brought into this world at LMH, went to West Jr High and graduated from Lawrence High School in 1986. I have been going to the Kansas Relays since grade school. So when I got the call from KU Associate Athletic Director Paul Pierce offering me the job, it was almost surreal. I loved coaching at Baker and the people I worked with. It was very much a second home to me, but after 28 years in coaching and the past eight years at Baker, I felt this new role was the next step in my career for me and my family.
2. During your coaching career, you collected a long list of accolades, from your nineteen conference championships, to coaching individual national champions both on the track and in the field. If you had to choose your favorite achievement or memory from your decorated career, what would it be and what puts it above the rest?
Winning a NCAA trophy at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse as a GA was just what I needed to hook me into coaching. Holding that trophy was incredible, but in 2014 our men won the Heart of America Conference Cross Country Championship and the women were runner-up after a very rough start to the season. Those teams brought home 5/6 conference championships that year. They persevered over some huge obstacles and kept their focus the entire season. We were so proud of them.
3. You've coached at nearly every collegiate level there is, from all three levels of the NCAA, to your most recent stint in the NAIA. Obviously, you've faced a lot of different challenges as a coach, from unexpectedly taking over the reins of a program, to coaching during a global pandemic. How are you going to take your experiences as a coach and use them to your advantage as a meet director?
Well, I have met a lot of great athletes and competed against great programs at all levels. I feel this gives me the know how to communicate to the coaches at all levels. The COVID pandemic was a challenge for everybody, probably because of the uncertainties of what to expect and how to move forward. We had a great men’s track & field team set up for the national outdoor season that was very senior heavy. Unfortunately that season was not completed, and most of those seniors graduated. As a meet director you put a perfect world schedule together and plan for any possible challenges that may arise. Weather being the biggest challenge. Mother Nature always wins. I choose not to see them as problems but more as an opportunity to make things work. One of the great things I learned as a military Desert Storm Veteran is to always hope for the best and prepare and train for the worst, but I do plan for rainbows, unicorns and great weather every time!
4. The last time the Kansas Relays were held was 2019, and the historic meet is finally making its return for its 100th anniversary next spring. What would you like to see in your first year at the university's meet director? Are there any long term goals you have for your position?
I have had discussions with our athletic directors, coaching staff and Head Coach Redwine. Our main focus is bringing the high schools back to the relays this year. I want them to have the confidence we are going to put on a great event for the athletes and spectators. 100 years is a big deal. It only happens once, and we want to get it right with the alumni, community, and participants. Although the meet is several months away, I feel it’s right around the corner. The great thing I absolutely love about this meet is the support and the fact that everyone wants to see this meet held again. Everyone has been positive, from the facilities crew, AD’s, coaches from other sports, athletic trainers, academic support staff and the city of Lawrence. The Kansas Relays are a big deal and they all want to see it succeed for the community and Kansas Athletics.
5. What are you looking forward to most in your new role in Lawrence, and what will you miss most about your last role as the head coach at Baker?
I’m looking forward to being a small part of Kansas Relays history. I want the stands full rain or shine and this to be a non-miss meet for Kansans everywhere every year. I want athletes, coaches and fans to circle the KU Relays dates on their calendars for years to come. We want this once again, one the best historic relay meets in the nation.
I miss my friends and athletes from Baker. I know it’s only 20 minutes away, but when they are basically family, it’s tough not to see them every day. My son Will Byers is a senior on the track team this year, and he was my cross country student assistant for the past 3 years, and it was tough knowing I would not have the opportunity to see him every day of his last year in college. I really miss the athletes coming to my office everyday to just talk about life. That always meant a lot to me.
6. As a coach, who have you looked up to the most during your career? Are there certain coaches that inspired you and ones that you modeled your coaching style after?
So many coaches that have mentored me. I feel I am a bundled up role of them all. Brian Renshaw at Park University gave me my first opportunity to be a student coach and throw javelin. Mark Guthrie of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse gave me a graduate assistant position and set me up with my championship focus. Marcus Newsome and Steve Johnson at Wartburg College gave a young coach an opportunity to prove himself. Don Larson and Ryun Godfrey at North Dakota State welcomed me to the NCAA, and really reinforced what a great job we were blessed with to do for a career. Kirk Wren at Ottawa University showed me to pay attention to the small things and appreciate everyone around you. Zach Kindler of Baker University, gave me the opportunity to come home and be a part of the Baker family. Now Coach Redwine, and while it’s only been a few weeks, it is easy to see he is a man of integrity and greatly cares for his athletes, staff and coaches. I hope I can make them all proud and I can’t thank them enough for giving me an opportunity to coach and direct.
7. Finally, I'll end this with probably the most important question of this interview. What was your favorite senior class you've ever had and why was it the class of 2022?
That 2022 class was special. Back to back mens cross country conference champs and four women’s runner-up trophies. Way more memories than I can ever list!! (← I rest my case 🤷)
Just a heads up, this interview was condensed a little bit to get me inside the email length limit that Substack has in place.
Overall, I’d say that the future of both the Kansas Relays and the home meets for the University of Kansas are in good hands!
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