Kansas MileSplit reporter Pat Melgares joined the throngs of spectators at the class 3A/5A/6A Kansas State Cross Country Championships who ran from point to point watching each race unfold.
Today, we'll take a look at how the race for the class 5A girls individual state title shaped up, through Pat's camera lens.
Just as Expected: The top three contenders quickly emerge in this race -- two-time defending champion Olivia Sovereign of St. Thomas Aquinas; St. James Academy's Sarah Murrow; and Blue Valley Southwest's Gigi Loffredo (partially hidden). This is just past 3/4 mile into the race.
First Break: Coming out of Oak Holler Bridge, at about 1 1/4 miles into the race, Murrow and Loffredo have broken away from Sovereign.
Still a battle: Entering King's Bridge, with 1000 meters to go, Murrow holds a slight lead over Loffredo.
State Champ: Murrow lengthened her lead over the Jim Ryun Skyline and won in 18:46.3.
Runner-up: Loffredo, a sophomore, fought the good fight and earned the runner-up spot in 18:53.7.
Two-time champ: Sovereign overcame health issues during the season to finish third at state. She finishes her high school career as the only two-time girls state champion ever from St. Thomas Aquinas. In four years, she has two firsts, one second, and one third at the state cross country meet.