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.
“Knowing what you can learn in the first meet, the expectations you set from here on are important.”
Hill cleared the 5K course at the Garnett Country Club in 18:45. Iola sophomore Dagon Denny, finished 16th in 20:30. Iola senior Ruger Boren finished in 26th place in 22:20.
CREST’S Allen stayed near the head of the female pack for much of the race and cleared the course in 23:01. Allen said she was not nervous about the race, or the heat, but running in such a large crowd after race officials combined the boys and girls varsity race.
“I was nervous, but the only thing I was nervous about was everyone running togehter,” Allen said.
“It was a little nerve-racking, especially in the beginning. It felt like being in a tube and everyone was squishing you.”
Crest freshman Lynnex Allen keeps her focus despite having lost a shoe Thursday.
Crest freshman Jorden Allen was not far behind Allen with an 11th-place finish in 23:17.
Another runner making a stunning debut was Iola freshman Mariah Mathis, who posted a top 20 finish after taking 18th in 24:11.
Iola, Crest and Humboldt will have a week to recuperate until the Sept. 10 Fort Scott Invitational.
Humboldt will also take a week off, when the Cubs and Lady Cubs run at the Sept. 10 Girard Invitational.
Both races begin at 4 p.m.
Complete results as follow:
Girls 1 Mile Run 8th Grade: fifth, Piper Schimdt, Crest, 6:31.23; 16th, Nelly Ramirez, Iola, 7:06.25; 17th, Klaire Nilges, Crest, 7:07.27; 22nd, Anna Klubek, Iola, 7:25.82; 24th, Seattle Nagy, Iola, 7:30.81; 25th, Alivia Coltrane, Iola, 7:36.14; 28th, Mollie Duvall, Iola, 8:03.17; 30th, Finley Nelson, Iola, 8:11.50; 42nd, Kalie Insley, Iola, 10:20.27
Boys 1 Mile Run 8th Grade: second, Cieson Kidwell, Iola, 5:39.76; 17th, Isaac Francis, Crest, 6:17.72; 31st, Jyler Granere, Iola, 6:37.29; 44th, Maxton Coltrane, Iola, 7:08.87
