LAWRENCE — Chon Chavez led the Great Bend High School cross country team on Saturday at the Rim Rock Farm Classic on Saturday.
Chavez raced to a time of 17 minutes, three seconds to take 17th place overall, earning him a medal.
The boys’ team took 18th place out of 32 teams in its division.
Cristian Graham was the next finisher for the Panthers at 63rd place with a time of 17:42.
“Overall, I think it wasn’t bad,” GBHS head coach Todd Kaiser said. “Of course, at Rim Rock there is a lot of tough competition with a large number of good programs from all of the Midwest.
“The boys showed significant improvement on their times from last year, and I was pleased with Chon’s 17th-place finish.”
The girls’ team was led by Kaitlyn Tuey, who took 52nd place with a time of 16:52.
Mariah Stein finished eight places behind her with a time of 16:55.
“We’re still not at full strength,” Kaiser said of the girls. “We still don’t have Ali (Heilman) back. A lot of them did improve on their times from last year. I think the girls a little disappointed in their team finish, but we’ll continue to improve.”
GBHS is back in action on Saturday, when they travel to Junction City. The meet begins at 10 a.m.

HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY
At Rim Rock
Lawrence
Saturday
Great Bend results
GIRLS
52. Kaitlyn Tuey, 16 minutes, 52 seconds; 60. Mariah Stein, 16:55; 79. Hannah Wondra, 17:17; 93. Lakin Hulse, 17:29; 149. Morgan Harwood, 18:06; 179. Sarah Niederee, 18:33; 224. Summer Bates, 20:45.

BOYS
17. Chon Chavez, 17:03; 63. Cristian Garcia, 17:42; 87. Kole Stiner, 18:04; 159. Ky Heeke, 18:53; 174. Cole Mulch, 19:08; 188. Chrstian Graham, 19:19; 225. Daniel Banda, 22:46.

                                                                                                                           — Kevin Price