RICHMOND — Multiple area runners are nearing their peak at just the right time following top ten finishes at Thursday’s Central Heights Invitational.
Crest senior Peyton Schmidt finished third overall for the girls, followed by quickly emerging Iola senior Mahailie Genoble, who took ninth. Iola’s Keegin Hill posted the only boy’s top ten finish after taking sixth place.
“I felt pretty good. It was a lot better than how I felt at Rim Rock,” Schmidt said. “I ran 22:19 at Rim Rock, and that was bad. I felt that today, but with it being flatter it made it better than last week.”
Crest put its potential to bring home a state trophy on display Thursday.
Schmidt came just shy of clearing a sub 20-minute run in the 5K, completing the course in 20:30. Senior teammates Josie Walter and Aubrey Allen completed the course in 22:02 for 14th place and 22:17 for 17th place respectively, and sophomore Kallie Robb clocked in at 23:22 for 28th place.
As for Iola’s runners, Genoble continued making significant strides. She cleared the Central Heights Invitational course in 21:21 for ninth-place. Senior Ari Ramirez took 43rd in 30:41.
“I’m just pushing myself past my mental barriers,” Genoble said. “I’m running 100 percent and pushing myself in practice and trying to do better than I have in the past.”
In the boys race, Hill held his own among a pack of 4A runners from Chanute. He also contended with Central Heights runners who strategized as a pack early on.
“Ever since the first meet in Fort Scott, I kind of lost my confidence,” Hill said. “I’ve been trying to build it back ever since. I got it back this week. I just went out, ran and tried to break that mental barrier. I was pushing it and keeping up with Central Heights and Chanute.”
Hill was far from the only medalist Thursday. Marmaton Valley freshman Brayden Endicott shows plenty of promise with a 15th-place finish in a time of 18:14. Iola senior Brennen Coffield took 17th-place in 18:17. Crest freshman Dagon Denny was 8 seconds away from medaling after finishing 21st overall in 18:31.
Complete results as follows:
Boys varsity: 6. Keegan Hill, Iola, 16:49; Brayden Endicott, MVHS, 18:14; Brennan Coffield, Iola, 18:17; 21. Dagon Denny, Crest, 18:31; 27. Joshua Wanker, Iola, 18:48; 36. Ruger Boren, Iola, 19:43; 39. Caden Coltrane, Iola, 19:56; 40. Isaac Velazquez, Iola, 19:59; 52. Wyatt Francis, Crest, 21:53;
Boys junior varsity: 4. James Hunt, Iola, 19:56, 6. Konnor Morrison, Iola, 20:22; 9. Adam Klubek, Iola, 20:50; 14. Thomas Allee, MVHS, 21:15; 16. Raiden Stowell, Iola, 21:39; 17. Jakolb Hill, Iola, 21:43; 20. Brendon Newman, MVHS, 22:13; 22. Harley Blankenship, Iola, 22:20; 24. Emmitt Carson, Humboldt, 22:30; 27. Adriel Pina, Iola, 23:12l 28. Kaden Vega, Iola, 23:16 and Collin Ard, MVHS, 23:52.
Girls varsity: 3. Peyton Schmidt, Crest, 20:30; 9. Mahailie Genoble, Iola, 21:21; 14. Josie Walter, Crest, 22:02; 17. Aubrey Allen, Crest, 22:17; 28. Kellie Robb, Crest, 23:22; 41. Sophia Heim, MVHS, 26:38; 43. Ari Ramirez, Iola, 30:41;
Girls junior varsity: Evva Sanders, MVHS, 28:54; 12. Keysha Smith, Iola, 29:27; 13. Reagan Marple, Humboldt, 29:38;20. Kara Culbertson, Humboldt, 32:43; 22. Sydney Ebberts, Iola 34:27.
Boys 2-mile run: 9. Kreed Miller, Crest, 14:14; 10. Nash Holloway, Crest 14:33; 13. Oscar Keitner, MVJS, 14:53; 14. Max Ebberts, Iola, 14:56; 16. Jyler Granere, Iola, 15:02; 18. Doug Dixs, MVJS, 15:32; 19. Isaac Francis, Crest, 15:39 and 24. Thomas Retana, MVJS, 16:48.
