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Area runners earn top 20 medals at state cross country
HHS CC
Hoisington state cross qualifiers Brody Rossman, Kamden Tarlton, Tianna Lutters.

Area runners captured top 20 state cross country medals at Lawrence and Wamego

3A STATE, LAWRENCE — Hoisington enjoyed a perfect morning with three state medalists. Four-time state qualifier Kamden Tarlton (16:28:18) finished ninth and improved his state time by 15 seconds in muddy conditions. Tarlton also placed 20th, 22nd and 43rd at the 3A state meet. Cardinal Brody Rossman (16:50.57) placed 14th after placing 75th last year.

Hoisington's Tianna Lutters (20:25.34) earned 14th medalist honors.

2A STATE, WAMEGO — First-time state qualifier Eleanor Joiner (21:36.86) earned 15th medalist honors and teammate Jenna Borror (21:45.22) finished 18th. Ellinwood (150 points) placed seventh. Other competing were 45th Kyla McCormick, 23:06.26; 57th Ali Gonzalez, 23:48.76; 77th Madison Dombroski, 25:01.85; 81st Heidi Brauer, 25:19.75; and 101st Kynlee Wesner, 34:43.97.

The 7th-place Eagles exceeded meet projections with 150 points, 18 points behind third-place Hoxie (132). 

"The attack was led by freshman 15th Eleanor Joiner, leading the Eagles and earning All-State honors," said Ellinwood coach Jeff Zook. "Freshman Jenna Borror (18th), was projected to finish in the mid-40s, but had a great race to earn herself All-State honors. It was an excellent ending. I'm excited to see what this young group can do over the next few years." 

The other Eagles exceeded projections on a muddy Wamego Country club course.  Another freshman duo came through projected to finish in the 70s, were 45th Kyla McCormick and 57th Ali Gonzalez (57). 

"Sophomore Madison Dombroski (77th) had a breakout year and ran well again," Zook said. "Our lone upperclassman and director of this crew was senior Heidi Brauer (81st). Heidi finished fast with an all-time PR last week. She covering the Wamego course faster than she ever has, despite the mud. Freshman Kynlee Wesner (101st), jumped in after a few weeks of training. Having that 7th runner helps us race aggressively when everyone is trying to finish.

1A STATE, WAMEGO — Stafford Trojan Joel Valadez (17:37.0) earned seventh medalist honors after placing 16th last year.

Four-time state qualifier Quade Smith (17:20.31) placed 16th to lead St. John (103) to seventh place. Smith improved his state time by 45 seconds after placing 13th, 14th and 49th the past three years.

Also competing for the Tigers were 32nd Emmett Delp, 18:49.67; 34th Aaden Gonzalez, 18:53.76; 58th Garrett Dunn, 20:19.45; 72nd Liam Knight, 21:17.1; 81st Jayce Feril, 21:43.16; and 84th Kaden Foote, 23:08.7.

"We had a true cross country race with rain and muddy, slick conditions," said St. John coach Joel Delp. "Our team ran well despite the challenging course conditions. Quade Smith ran well against a tough 1A field. Emmett Delp had one of his best races of the year.  He was 14 seconds off of his PR, well ahead of where he was projected. Aaden Gonzalez ran a good race.  Garrett Dunn was the last scoring runner. We'll miss Quade's leadership. Our younger runners gained valuable experience on the state course."

In 1A girls, Macksville's Kennedy Butler (23:02.78) placed 31st. Otis-Bison's Destiny Mitchell (23:12.85) finished 33rd.