Sunday, Nov. 01, 2009

East girls claim second state X-C title

LAWRENCE | The last time Olathe East’s girls cross country team won a state title, coach Tony Bozarth knew his team had it wrapped up toward the end of the race.

He would have no such luck this time around. By the end of the 6A girls race at Rim Rock, Bozarth was confident the Hawks would place high, but he also knew there were five other teams in the mix for the title.

“I thought we were ahead,” Bozarth said. “But when you have six teams within 30 points of each other, there’s no guarantee.”

Turns out Bozarth didn’t have much to worry about. Olathe East won with a team score of 103, while Blue Valley West edged out Shawnee Mission West for second by one point with a score of 122. Shawnee Mission Northwest was in the mix as well, finishing fourth with a score of 126.

The Hawks were led by freshman Brenna McDannold, who finished seventh and was the third-highest local placer behind Shawnee Mission West freshman Alli Cash, who took third, and SM Northwest senior Lisa Imgrund, who was sixth.

Sophomore Brooklyn Ellis (12th), sophomore Whitney Ashlock (40th), junior Jessica Thomas (41st) and senior Darci Miller (42nd) rounded out the scoring for Olathe East, while freshman Riley Gay (53rd) and senior Brenda Ellis (60th) also ran for the Hawks.

The top Olathe finisher on the boys side was also from East, senior Ryan Hocker, who finished fifth for the second straight year in 6A. He was less than 7 seconds out of second place.

But Olathe North had the city's other two medalists. Ben Anstaett crossed the line 17th and Kidus Bikele was 19th for the Eagles. Top the 20 medal at state.

While the Gardner Edgerton boys finished ninth in 5A and failed to claim any individual medals, the Trailblazers girls edged Lansing by three points for fourth in the team standings.

Clarissa Johnson led the way, finishing fifth overall and less than 3 seconds out of third. Teammate Dana Goodwin grabbed the final medal slot, placing 20th.

2009 Kansas 6A state cross country results

At Rim Rock Farm, Lawrence

Boys

Team results

1. Lawrence 71; 2. Washburn Rural 103; 3. SM Northwest 105; 4. Haysville Campus 115; 5. SM South 130; 6. BV West 176; 7. Free State 186; 8. SM West 206; 9. Derby 210; 10. Wichita Northwest 213; 11. Wichita East 217; 12. Maize 232.

Individual medalists

1. Roy Wedge, LAW, 15:43.86; 2. Andrew Stevens, SMS, 16:09.01; 3. Alex Mahaffey, WR, 16:09.55; 4. Brock Nooney, CAM, 16:13.27; 5. Ryan Hocker, OE, 16:15.75; 6. Neil Metler, DER, 16:17.20; 7. Aaron Thornburg, SMNW, 16:19.59; 8. Logan Sloan, FS, 16:21.40; 9. Jacob Morgan, WR, 16:23.98; 10. Calvin Morgan, LAW, 16:25.55; 11. Sterling Spencer, SMNW, 16:26.49; 12. Justin Scott, BVW, 16:26.83; 13. Aaron Pope, WR, 16:27.15; 14. Joseph Springer, LAW, 16:31.31; 15. Robbie Martinez-Garcia, WNW, 16:34.22; 16. Kain Anderson, FS, 16:35.43; 17. Ben Anstaett, ON, 16:37.89; 18. Jonah Heng, SMW, 16:39.00; 19. Kidus Bekele, ON, 16:40.45; 20. Reid Buchanan, MAN, 16:41.22.

Girls

Team results

1. Olathe East 103; 2. BV West 122; 3. SM West 123; 4. SM Northwest 126; 5. Washburn Rural 132; 6. SM South 135; 7. Manhattan 171; 8. Derby 193; 9. Goddard 193; 10. Olathe South 199; 11. Maize 199; 12. Dodge City 304.

Individual medalists

1. Avery Clifton, WR, 15:01.16; 2. Dani Walker, MZ, 15:34.31; 3. Alli Cash, SMNW, 15:41.65; 4. Triana Thompson, JC, 15:45.00; 5. Megan Ballinger, Goddard, 15:45.70; 6. Lisa Imgrund, SMNW, 15:46.22; 7. Brenna McDannold, OE, 15:49.45; 8. Amber Green, DER, 15:50.67; 9. Mandy Hollis, JC, 15:53.00; 10. Emily Hornbeck, DER, 15:54.71; 11. Christine Nelson, SMNW, 15:58.22; 12. Brooklyn Ellis, OE, 16:01.48; 13. Cate Dunn, WE, 16:03.38; 14. Billie Lubis, SMN, 16:04.22; 15. Hayley Francis, LFS, 16:05.13; 16. Catie Miller, BVNW, 16:05.63; 17. Hayley Cline, SMS, 16:06.56; 18. Christina Smith, MAN, 16:10.70; 19. Courtney Maddux, GOD, 16:11.32 20. Alyssa Luker, BV, 16:11.77.

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