Freshman McDannold leads seasons Hawks back to X-C state

LAWRENCE | One of the strengths of the Olathe East girls cross country team, as it heads to Rim Rock Farm on Saturday for the Kansas 6A state meet, is experience.

The Hawks have advanced to the state meet seven seasons in a row now, and they have not finished worse than fifth place in any of those years, coach Tony Bozarth said. They have veteran runners who have been there before and who have had success.

And yet, it just might be a rookie leading the way for the team this weekend.

Freshman standout Brenna McDannold led Olathe East to a regional championship Saturday, placing third individually by completing the 4-kilometer course in a time of 15 minutes, 36.35 seconds at Haskell Indian Nations University to continue her breakthrough season.

“I feel like everyone just kind of (follows) behind her,” senior teammate Kara Bartels said.

“And when she has a good race, everyone has a good race,” senior Darci Miller added.

That held true Saturday for the Hawks, who quickly followed McDannold across the finish line.

Olathe East sophomore Brooklyn Ellis placed eighth, senior Brenda Ellis followed in ninth, freshman Riley Gay (filling in for the injured Bartels) crossed the line in 10th, sophomore Whitney Ashlock was 13th, Miller was 17th and junior Jessica Thomas placed 21st.

Bozarth said this group has been one of the most fun girls teams he’s coached at East.

“They get along very well. They’re very, very, very tough. They just accept no excuses,” he said. “The seniors set the expectations for the team ... and then the youngsters pick up on that.”

McDannold, meanwhile, continues to set the pace for the squad. She has won two races this season, placed third at the Sunflower League meet and will look to carry the momentum of her strong regional run into her first state meet.

While at this point of the season, McDannold’s teammates know what to expect of her, she admits she has surprised herself a little bit.

“I’m excited that I’ve been doing this good my first season,” she said. “... Individually, I just wanted to be on varsity. I’ve been way (better) than my expectations.”

Olathe East senior Ryan Hocker, meanwhile, is looking for big things in his last state meet.

Hocker placed second at regionals in a 5K time of 15:52.67, trailing only 2008 state runner-up Roy Wedge, of Lawrence.

“I’ll try to improve next week, and I think it’s possible,” Hocker said after the race Saturday.

The Olathe South girls placed third to qualify as a team. The Falcons were led by senior Ashley McBride’s sixth-place finish (16:06.86). Junior Tara Russell (15th, 16:39.50) and senior Megan Rosa (16th, 16:42.49) also finished in the top-20 individually for Olathe South.

Olathe North qualified two boys individually. Sophomore Ben Anstaett placed ninth (16:49.62) Saturday and junior Kidus Bekele (16:54.37) finished 10th, as both advanced to state. Olathe East seniors Andrew Sheets (13th, 17:07.34) and Paul Zimmerman (20th, 17:35.52) also qualified as individuals.