Wildcat runners hoping for another trip to state meet this season

By Andy Brown
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Updated: August 31, 2022

Andy Brown / Louisburg Sports Zone

Louisburg junior Emma Vohs is the top returning runner for the Wildcat girls cross country team after finishing in the top 10 at state last year. Vohs, along with Maddy Rhamy and Lola Edwards, are returning state medalists.

It was one of those special type of seasons for the Louisburg cross country team last year.

The Wildcats qualified both the boys and girls teams for state. Louisburg left Wamego with four state medals and the girls team finished fifth overall.

Goals haven’t changed for the Wildcats in 2022, but both teams will be forced to replace one of their top runners from a year ago. Still, hopes are high for what they can accomplish.

“It is always tough to see strong runners graduate and move on, but that is the reality of our profession,” Louisburg coach John Reece said. “The returners will step up and fill that void, and by adding a couple of new runners to the mix, we might be even stronger.”

On the girls side, the Wildcats will have to replace one of the program’s most accomplished runners in Reese Johnson. She finished her career with three state medals, including a top 20-finish a year ago.

Despite that loss, the Lady Cats are still considered one of the top teams in Class 4A as they are ranked in the top 5 by Kansas MileSplit.

***Louisburg junior Maddy Rhamy earned her second consecutive state medal last season in Wamego.***

Juniors Emma Vohs and Maddy Rhamy are both state medalists who return from a big year last season. Vohs, who was in her first year of cross country, finished sixth at state and Rhamy earned her second consecutive state medal and took 13th.

Louisburg also returns junior Lola Edwards, who medaled a state as a freshman, but battled injuries as a sophomore.

Seniors Bree Gassman and Nova Ptacek, along with junior Erin Apple, also return from that state team. Newcomers Kate Frederick (junior) and Ashlyn Kuhlman (sophomore) could also see varsity action this year.

“Emma, Maddy, and Lola will be leading the way with Bree and Erin in tow,” Reece said. “Adding Kate and Ashlyn to the mix increases our depth. I hope to instill in them the pack mentality for the first part of the races and then go for it in the second half hopefully together. It will be a great season, and tough as always in the Frontier League.”

On the boys side, the Wildcats lost their top runner from a year ago in Jaden Vohs after he medaled 12th at state.

***Louisburg sophomore Jerynce Brings Plenty returns as one of the top runners for the boys team.***

Louisburg does return experience from that team in sophomore Jerynce Brings Plenty, junior Noah Cotter and senior Leo Martin. Cotter was 40th at state a year ago, while Brings Plenty was the team’s No. 2 runner to Jaden Vohs as a freshman.

The Wildcats also have a newcomer in senior Ethan Ptacek, who made the move to cross country after playing three years of soccer. Senior Landan Henry, junior Max LaJoie and sophomore Ben Proctor will also help out on the varsity squad this year.

“Jerynce is inheriting a leadership role by default, but I know he can step up and handle it,,” Reece said. “He will have huge support from Ethan, Noah and Leo, who all came off of a successful track season. We are also looking for Max, Landon, and Ben to step up as well.”