Runners grind through the heat

A few area veteran distance runners set their benchmarks for the upcoming season while a few freshmen made a splash in their first varsity competition.

GARNETT — The Iola Mustangs, Crest Lancers and Humboldt Cubs made their 2026 cross country debut while competing in the sweltering heat Thursday morning at the Coach Howarter Invitational.

Keegan Hill, Iola senior, seemed undeterred by the warm weather as he took fourth place while Crest freshman Lynnex Allen made quite a splash in her first high school contest by  taking ninth place.

“We had lots of practices like this, so it was all about going out, training and being dedicated in the heat,” said Hill, who returns from taking 24th at last year’s state meet. 

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