LAWRENCE – Great Bend’s teamwork paid off with three consecutive runners crossing the final line to help the Panthers place sixth in the 5A state cross country meet with 150 points in ideal weather conditions at the rugged Rim Rock Course.
Panther Joshua Tomlin (16:53.9) placed 26th followed by Sage Cauley (16:55.4), 27th; and Collin Hammond (16:55.8), 28th to give the Panthers three consecutive finishers.
Others competing for the Panthers were Ryan Nicholson (17:24.6), 49th; Evan Hammond (17:28.6), 55th; Alex Smith (17:50.7), 66th; and Malachi Wasson (19:00.9), 98th.
St. Thomas Aquinas won the team title and Aquinas runner Ethan Marshall (15:33.9) earned medalist honors.
Panther Emilia Diaz (20:48.9) placed 32nd and teammate McKenna Esfeld (21:44.4) finished 63rd in the 5A girls division. St. Thomas Aquinas earned the team title and Lenexa St. James runner Sarah Murrow (18:46.8) earned medalist honors.
3A BOYS – Larned High’s Brayden Lothman (17:17.8) earned a 3A state medal with a 13th-place finish with his finest race of the season.
Hoisington’s Dayne Yott (18:13.8) placed 40th in 3A. Southeast of Saline won the team title. Galena’s Matt Oglesby (15:59.5) earned medalist honors.
3A GIRLS – Larned’s Cierra Nord (22:10.9) finished 40th in the girls division. Scott City won the team title. Norton’s Lexi Kats (19:26.6) earned 3A medalist honors.
