Vohs earns second state cross country medal

Louisburg junior Emma Vohs works her way up the field Saturday during the Class 4A state cross country meet at Wamego Country Club. Vohs finished 10th overall to earn a state medal.

WAMEGO — For the second consecutive season, Emma Vohs left the Class 4A state cross country meet with more than was she arrived with.

Vohs earned her second state medal Saturday at Wamego Country Club as she finished 10th overall with a time of 20 minutes and 51 seconds. The Louisburg junior did what she set out to accomplish.

“I was so excited to win another state medal this season and couldn’t be happier that I reached my goal for that race, which was placing top 10,” Vohs said. “The race was a tougher course, as was the competition this year, but I am blessed to run with such talented girls that push me to do better each race.”

Vohs led the Lady Cat team that qualified for state for the sixth consecutive season. As a team, Louisburg finished eighth overall with 208 points.

A pair of Frontier League schools finished in the top two of the team standings. Eudora won the state title with 51 points, Baldwin was second with 84 and Winfield was third at 87.

Members of the Louisburg girls state cross country team are (from left) head coach John Reece, Maddie O’Keefe, Lila Edwards, Nova Ptacek, Bree Gassman, Emma Vohs, Lola Edwards, Maddy Rhamy, Erin Apple, Madison Huggins and assistant coach Shelby Suther.

“The girls ran well at state,” Louisburg coach John Reece said. “We had a restart which was not ideal, but we still had a good race. State is a tough field on a tough course which challenges all aspects of a sporting competition.

“Emma ran a great race and moved through the field the whole race. To medal again this year is a testament to her grit and perseverance. Tenth in the state is an amazing accomplishment.”

Juniors Maddy Rhamy and Lola Edwards were next to cross the finish line for the Wildcats. Rhamy finished 41st out of more than 100 runners in 22:27, while Edwards took 63rd in 23:08.

Sophomore Madison Huggins was 80th in 24:22 and senior Nova Ptacek finished 85th in 24:34. Junior Erin Apple was 96th in 25:25 and senior Bree Gassman rounded out the Wildcat lineup in 102nd in 26:15.

Saturday marked the end of another successful season for Louisburg girls cross country and many of the runners are ready for another go at it next year.

“We had an interesting season this year,” Reece said. “We really can’t put a finger on any one thing but it has left the girls hungry for next year and to better themselves and the team. The bus ride home was focused on them talking about track and what they can do to get better.

“We are losing some great senior leaders on both sides of the team and they will be missed.”