Ellison, Cotter battle tough conditions at state cross country

Louisburg sophomores Truman Ellison and Levi Cotter competed well Saturday in their first state cross country meet in Wamego.

WAMEGO — When Truman Ellison and Levi Cotter lined up for the Class 4A boys state race Saturday, they were the last competition of the day.

The 4A girls, along with both the Class 1A and 2A races, had already gone and normally going last wouldn’t matter. However, rainy conditions at the Wamego Country Club course left it a muddy mess.

It wasn’t exactly ideal racing conditions, but the Louisburg sophomores made the best of a tough situation.

Both runners finished in the middle of the pack as Ellison took 52nd overall in 19 minutes and Cotter was right behind him in 58th in 19:05.

“Levi and Truman ran well at the state,” Reece said. “For two sophomores to qualify was a great accomplishment. With such a young team this year, this experience gained will benefit the team and individuals over the next few years.”

The race was a difficult one for everyone involved as they had to work around standing water and muddy holes left by runners in the five previous races. Still, Reece liked what he saw from his two competitors.

“The conditions were miserable for all who were there, both athletes and spectators,” Reece said. “Being the last race of the day, the wet areas became mud pits, which could have presented a challenge, but they both embarrassed the conditions and competed well.”

Wamego won the boys Class 4A state championship with 52 points and Buhler was the state runner-up with 66. McPherson junior Caleb Mueller won individual state title in 16:33.

In the Class 4A girls race, Buhler won the state crown with 78 points and Eudora was the state runner-up with 89, just edging out Baldwin, which had 90.

It was a Frontier League dominated race as senior Hanna Keltner won the state title in 19:18 and Baldwin’s Irelyn Kennedy was second in 19:51. Paola freshman Ella Needham was third in 20:00.