What's On Tap? A Big Fourth Weekend of Racing Awaits

Kyle Deeken

Many eyes will be on the historic Rim Rock Farm course in Lawrence this weekend for the annual Rim Rock Classic. A state preview for some and for others an opportunity to run on one of the most famous and iconic cross country courses in the nation, the 2024 edition of the Classic should bring plenty of fireworks once again. 

Featured KS teams to watch in the Gold Division include: Blue Valley Southwest, Blue Valley West, Topeka Seaman, Salina Central, Kapaun Mt. Carmel, St. Thomas Aquinas, Washburn Rural, Bishop Carroll, Mill Valley, and St. James Academy (girls). We are looking forward to a battle between Ryin Miller, Katelyn Rupe, and Kaylie Shultz on the girls side, with Missouri superstars Kayleigh Norris (Harrisonville) and Elyse Wilmes (Father Tolton Regional Catholic), as well as Ames (IA)'s Marley Turk and Bishop Kelley (OK)'s Gwyneth Meyers upping the competition level quite a bit. Out-of-state schools Father Tolton, Bishop Kelley, Ames, West Plains (MO), and Denver East (CO) will be battling it out for a win against Kansas's best. 

On the boys side, plenty of the top ranked individuals in the state will be battling it out for a win on the Jayhawks' home course. Carter Cline, Daniel Enriquez, Logan Beckman, Brody Anderson, and the Blue Valley Southwest duo of Canyon Buehler and Elijah Chavez are the top ranked Kansans in the Gold Division. Add in Park Hill South (MO)'s Thomas Garrett, two Colorado studs in Cadel Ruthven and Jonas Scudamore, Oklahoman Charlie Ritchie, and Iowa standouts Brennen Bhave, Zack Janulewicz, and Kellen Tuyls, and you've got yourself a star-studded race. For the team title, it should be a battle between Blue Valley Southwest, Kapaul Mt. Carmel, Spring Hill, Mill Valley, and Bishop Carroll. Out-of-state squads looking poised to make noise include West Plains (MO), Fort Collins (CO), and Bishop Kelley (OK).