For the first time in several years, uncertainty abounds in
Kansas class 5A state cross country.
St. Thomas Aquinas had made the division its personal
stomping ground, having won the past five girls and past three boys state
championships. It seems like most 5A schools simply thought of late October as
an opportunity to get second place.
That is most certainly not the case anymore. We have a
full-fledged battle for the 5A state titles in Kansas.
Let's start with the boys' individual race where 10 runners
have posted a 5K time of 16:04 or better this season. Interestingly, half of
those 10 have never previously earned a state meet medal.
Greg Haynes of Mill Valley has the best time among class 5A
runners this season, clocking 15:40 at his team's home meet. But juniors Ethan Marshall and Reece Jones of St. Thomas Aquinas both beat Haynes at the Eastern
Kansas League championships two weeks ago and at the...
