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Lady Panthers advance to state
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NEWTON — The Great Bend High School Lady Panthers cross country team took first place at the Class 5A regional meet on Saturday, qualifying for the state meet.
“It was a pretty darn good meet for the girls,” Great Bend head coach Todd Kaiser said. “To have your top seven finish in the top 15 at regionals is a really great accomplishment.”
Leading the pack was Rubi Torres, who won her second straight individual regional championship at Newton. Her winning time was 15 minutes, 50 seconds.
“I’m happy to see Rubi take home her second regional championship,” Kaiser said. “She ran really well. They all ran really well.”
All five of the Lady Panthers’ scoring runners — Kaitlynn Tuey, Hanna Wondra, Ali Heilman and Morgan Harwood — finished in the top 10 to medal at the meet.
The Great Bend Panthers took fifth place at the meet and had two runners qualify for the state meet. Chon Chavez took fifth place (17:38) and Kile Stiner finished ninth, crossing the finish line at 18:11.
“I am pleased with Kole and Chon, and happy that they made it to state,” Kaiser said, “but I am disappointed for the rest of the boys. If they could have run up to their standards, they could have all made it.
“(Going to state) will be a great experience for Kole and Chon. Hopefully, we get back the whole team next year.”
The state meet will be held Saturday at Rim Rock Farm, which is located outside of Lawrence. The girls’ race starts at 10 a.m.

Class 5A regional meet
at Newton
Saturday’s results
Girls’ teams results
1. Great Bend,  24; 2. Hays, 71; 3. Newton, 72; 4. McPherson, 102; 5. Emporia, 126; 6. Salina South, 171; 7. Salina Central, 180; 8. Topeka West, 203.

Lady Panthers’ results
1. Rubi Torres, 15:50; 4. Kaitlynn Tuey, 16:38; 5. Hannah Wondra, 16:45; 6. Ali Heilman, 16:51; 8. Morgan Harwood, 17:15; 12. Erin Sullivan, 17:42; 13. Lakin Hulse, 17:52

Boys’ teams results
1. Topeka West, 60; 2. Newton, 64; 3. McPherson, 91; 4. Hays, 99; 5. Great Bend, 107; 6. Emporia, 110; 7. Salina South, 184; 8. Salina Central, 193.

Panthers’ results
5. Chon Chavez, 17:38; 9. Kole Stiner, 18:11; 21. Cristian Garcia, 18:49; 27. Ky Heeke, 19:03; 45. Michael Sullivan, 20:06; 48. Christian Graham, 20:46; 49. Lance, Popp, 20:58.