The Class 1A Kansas cross country championships were a time to
bid a fond farewell to one of the state's all-time greats, and launch what may
be a historic run for another.
Olpe's Kyler True won his third Kansas cross country state
championship, taking the 1A title in a good matchup with Beloit-St. John's
David Lutgen. True jumped to an early 40 meter lead over Lutgen that he managed
to hold, winning in 16:18. Lutgen was a solid second in 16:26.
True previously won state titles in Class 2A in 2014 and
2015. He becomes the eighth male runner in Kansas to win three individual state
titles, an accomplishment first achieved by Olympic gold medalist Billy Mills
from 1954-1956. There has never been a Kansas male runner who has won four
state titles.
Lucas Skinner of South Gray, runner-up to True last year in
Class 2A, was third this year in a time of 17:25. Adam Bates of Beloit-St.
John's (17:41) and Quanah Gardiner of Ashland (17:42) rounded out the top five.
The ...