WAMEGO A brisk wind was present at the Wamego Country Club for Iola Highs state meet on Saturday. Both Mustangs and Fillies fielded full teams for the event, and performed to the best of their abilities on the toughest course they had seen yet.
The boys finished 10th place, while the girls placed 12th.
Jack Adams placed 12th individually with a time of 17:12 to lead all Mustang runners. Following Adams was Riley Jay in 52nd (18:12), Kaster Trabuc 64th (18:28), Nathan Louk 67th (18:31), Elijah Fawson 88th (19:21), Jesse Taylor 91st (19:34), and Brett Morrison 96th (19:46).
Reaching state as a team was a success for the Mustangs, as they lost four of their top five runners from a season ago. Adams was recognized as an all-state runner for his finish in the top 20. Freshmen Trabuc and Taylor provide Iola with hope for the future.
For the girls, Rachel Bycroft placed 39th to lead all Fillies, completing the course in 21:56. Others competing were Averie Sharon 69th (23:22), Kelsey Morrison 72nd (23:31), Ella Taylor 84th (23:49), Elanie Sturgeon 91st (24:11), and Audrey Coltrane 92nd (24:17).
Josie Plumlee also competed, but was disqualified for leaving the course to receive assistance from her dad to address severe cramping during the race. It was a disappointing end for Plumlee, who had competed as Iolas number-two runner all season long.
Like the boys, the Fillies were satisfied to be competing at the state meet. The girls had lost their number one, two, three, and five runners from last season.
Crest
Cross country had not been in existence at Crest for nine years until this season. The Lady Lancers advanced to state as a team, and finished 11th overall. Ursula Billings finished as Crests number-one runner in 14th place (21:36), and sister Elka, finished 33rd (23:08). Ryle Beckmon placed 69th (26:45), a respectable effort considering Beckmon had missed a majority of the season with a broken arm. Also competing for the Lady Lancers was Bailee Griffeth, finishing 76th with a time of 27:30.
