Boys 3200

 Below I will review some of the top 3200m performances in week 1. There were just five sub 10 minute performances, times in this event will get significantly quicker in the coming weeks.

     Leading the state is K-State commit Jackson Esquibel, he crossed the finish line in 9.44.51 at Free State Early Bird Invite. Esquibel is one of the top returners in the state, keep an eye out for quick times from him this season.

     Second in the state is Dustin Stephenson of Bishop Carroll High School. He clocked in a 9:46.50 and brought home a win at Free State Early Bird Invite. Stephenson has made extreme progress since last year, cross country for example, his pr last year was a 17:05.50 and this year he was runner up at the 5A  State Championship.                                                                                                 

     Sitting third in the state through week one is Blake Wohler of Free State High School. He finished second at Free State Early Bird invite with a time of 9:48.90.

     Fourth in the state is Washburn Commit, Layne Whisler. Whisler came in second at the Newton invitational with a time of 9:55.97. Whisler has consistently improved throughout his high school career, exciting to see what this year holds for him. 

     The final athlete to break ten minutes in the 3200 through week one is Dylan Hunter of Circle High School with a time of 9:59.80. Hunter brought home a gold medal at El Dorado Early Bird Quad.                                         

Girls 3200

The Newton Invitational held four of the five fastest girls times this season.

     Leading the state is Katelyn Rupe of Salina Central in 10:42, already nearing her pr. Rupe has actually won the 5A State Championship 2 years in a row in this event, will there be a three-peat this year?

     The second fastest time in the state took place at El Dorado Early Bird Quad by Brett Jacobson of Circle High School in a time of 11:42. Although there was just one other person in her race she still clocked in a solid season opener. Watch out for Jacobson as she progresses through her season!

     Third in the state rankings through week one is Brooke Martin of Bishop Caroll High School, clocking in a time of 12:09.80. Behind her and also fourth in the state is teammate Sophia Thome with a time of 12:32.10. Fifth in Kansas is Nelly Puente of Wichita North High School in a time of 12:34.08.

Boys 1600

Olathe North Preseason Spectacular hosted the top four 1600m boys times in week one.

     This includes Palmer O'Connor of DeSoto High School, in a time of 4:17.32. Read more below about the first sub 4:20 mile in Kansas this outdoor season.

     Landing in second through week one was Carter Cline of Mill Valley in 4:23.85. His mile strength and speedy 800 pr is a recipe for a sub 4:20 this season, keep an eye on Clines progression through this outdoor season. 

     Right behind Cline was teammate Yazid Vasquez with a time of 4:25.79. Vasquez has made extreme progress in this event from last outdoor season where his pr was 4:46.88.

     Fourth in the state through week one is Luke Swarts of DeSoto High School in a time of 4:27.07. Swarts is one to keep your eye on, he holds a pr of 4:21.73 and there are still several opportunities for him to improve off that.

Exclusive Interview with Palmer O'Connor

1. What do you contribute your already huge improvement from last years to this years track season to be?

     "After my injuries last year that ended both cross and track seasons, my training has been adjusted and very consistent on the comeback. Coach Sachse has been great with the adjustments to my training which has allowed me to get stronger and healthy." O'Connor also stated that, "I give all credit to god for allowing me to run again and pursue my dreams. "

2. What are your goals this outdoor season?

     "The goal is to win state and help my team score the most points possible, plain and simple."

Girls 1600

 In just the first week of Kansas outdoor track, 10 girls have dipped under 5:20 in the 1600m.

     Leading the state is Anjali Hocker Singh of Olathe North High School in a time of 5:12.16. She starts her season off strong with this pr along with a win. Singh is one to look out for this season, she's coming off a strong cross country season where she won the 6a State Meet by 42 seconds!

     Second in the state after week one is Kayla Shultz of Salina Central High School clocking in a time of 5:14. This is not quite a pr as just last year in middle school she ran a 5:12.77! Although it was not a pr she did bring home double gold, winning the 1600m and 800m.

     Standing at third in the state through week one is Katie Price of St. James Academy with a time of 5:14.60. She earned a gold medal along with a 7 second pr at BV West All-Comers Quad.

     The other 7 girls that dipped under 5:20 include Rachel Harpt in 5:16.94, Kate Miller in 5:17.23, Shea Johnson in 5:17.50, Bree Newport in 5:18.80, Liz Browning in 5:19.04, Isabella Ross in 5:19.46, and Brooke Bundt in 5:19.74.

Boys 800

There has yet to be a sub two minute performance in this event, nevertheless there were still great season openers all across the state.

     Leading the state is Connor Jacober of DeSoto High School in a time of 2:00.84. Jacober brought home a victory of slightly more than 5 seconds, even with a large gap between him and second place he still came within one second of his pr. Great performance by Jacober.

     Standing second in the state is Brody Anderson of Seaman High School with a time of 2:01.23. Anderson starts his season off strong with a win at Topeka West Invitational. Anderson is one to look out for this season, his consistent improvement in the 800m is a recipe for great performances to come.

     Gathering a win at El Dorado Early Bird Quad is Blake Logan of Circle High School. He starts his season off strong with a dominating performance over the field, winning by 12 seconds in a time of 2:02. Logan holds a pr of 1:57.74, look out for Logans progression throughout this outdoor season.

     6 more athletes broke 2:05 in this event, including Canyon Buehler in 2:02.22, Jack Broghammer in 2:03.03, Ryan Hoverson in 2:03.20, Logan Prichard in 2:04.12, Cooper Sturm in 2:04.31, and James Fouts in 2:04.86.

Girls 800

There were some great performances in week one of the girls 800. A total of 10 girls broke 2:30 in this event!

     Liz Browning of Olathe West is leading the state with a time of 2:25.17. She started the season off strong, bringing home an outdoor pr in the 800m and 1600m at Four Birds and a Horse. 

     Second in the state is Jordyn Cleary of Andover High School. She came in first at Mulvan Early Bird Meet with a time of 2:26.12. She holds a pr of 2:20.97 in this event which puts her #2 all time in her programs history.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

     Third in the state through week one is Kate Miller of Olathe West. She came in second at the Four Birds and a Horse meet with a time of 2:26.54. This is her second time being mentioned on this list as she doubled with a gold medal in the 1600m.

     The other seven that broke 2:30 in this event are Bree Newport in 2:26.74, Amy Gotfredson in 2:27.23, Madelyn Wallace in 2:27.98, Sophia Spinello in 2:28.02, Kalyn Willingham in 2:28.23, Anna Joyce in 2:29.46, and Lorna Rae Pierce in 2:29.77.