2023 KSHSAA 5A State Cross Country Preview

Class 5A teams will converge upon Rim Rock once again for State this Saturday, with plenty to compete for. Salina Central's Katelyn Rupe, the face of Kansas girls' running, will be the heavy favorite. In fact, the real question is can the Mustangs go 1-2 with Kaylie Shultz? Right now, that's a real possibility, with the Salina Central duo decimating everything in their path this season, including the Rim Rock Gold race. The only thing standing in their way is Seaman's Ryin Miller. The standout sophomore won the Rim Rock Crimson race and hasn't lost since. Although it may be worth noting that Seaman hasn't left the Capitol city since that Rim Rock escapade in September, so home field advantage has certainly been a factor in the win streak.

Andover's Madelyn Wallace and Sophia Spinello of Aquinas were also regional champions, so look for them to be leading the chase pack on Saturday.

5A Team Computer Rankings    |    5A Individual Computer Rankings

In the team standings, this one will be close between Great Bend and St. James Academy. The two have met twice this season, with St. James coming out ahead at Olathe Twilight and Great Bend having the upper hand at Rim Rock. This next one is for all the marbles, though, as the two will clash once more for the 5A Title. Both teams pack well, and the team that does it better has won in each of their two meetings. It's so close, if anybody drops off their pack, it's likely game-over.

For the final podium spot, look for St. Thomas Aquinas and Kapaun Mt. Carmel, the other two regional champs, to make a move. Don't count out DeSoto or Seaman, either, though. Seaman brings their low-stick in Miller, while DeSoto looks to have the best #5 of anyone not named Great Bend or St. James.

In the boys' race, defending champions Blue Valley Southwest is the favorite to win again. They have not lost to a 5A team all year, and have wins over nearly all the other contenders.

The only team they haven't faced yet? Bishop Carroll. The Golden Eagles have done a good job of holding off rival and fellow 5A contender Kapaun Mt. Carmel this year, and won their home regional. Both Carroll and Kapaun bring low sticks to state in Dustin Stephenson and Daniel Enriquez that will certainly help their scoring.

Spring Hill is probably next in line, with solid wins over De Soto, St. Thomas Aquinas, and St. James, but lost to both Carroll & Kapaun at Emporia early in the season.

For the individuals, Enriquez and Stephenson are certainly in the mix, with the two going back and forth this year. Both will have trouble holding on to Jackson Esquibel of Shawnee Heights, though. The Thunderbird Senior has been a terror on the course this year, losing only once to 6A favorite Micah Blomker. He has broken 16:00 on five different courses this year, and has a head-to-head victory over Stephenson.

Calen George has had a solid season for Spring Hill, winning their league & regional races. Brock Moses of Valley Center was the fourth regional champion. Keep an eye on those two to do well in the chase pack.