If not for the weather, much of what took place during Kansas
regionals week served as little more than a sleepy setup to the state track and field
championships. The teams and athletes that were supposed to do well and advance
to this week's championships did just that.
Ho-hum…which in many cases, is a good thing.
However, it was anything but business as usual at the Shawnee Mission
Northwest regional, where class 6A girls distance running felt a
shockwave. Shawnee Mission Northwest distance ace Molly Born did not compete in
the meet, reportedly due to a stress fracture.
Born, a junior, won the 1600 and 3200 meter runs in 6A as a
freshman and sophomore. She was the odds-on favorite to win again this year.
Her absence at state will make Lawrence Free State's Emily Venters -- state champ
in those events three years ago -- as the favorite this week.
Lakeside's girls track and field team set themselves up
nicely for a shot at the 1A team title. Star hurdler and defe...