Wildcat girls medal in three events at state meet

By Andy Brown
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Updated: June 11, 2025

Louisburg’s 4×100 relay of (bottom from left), Suzanna Dansel, Kendall Crossley, Mackenzie Rooney and Addi Mallett finished fourth in the 4×100 relay at the Class 4A state meet on May 31 in Wichita.

WICHITA — Going up against the best Kansas has to offer, the Louisburg girls track and field team medaled in three events at the Class 4A Kansas State Track and Field Championships.

The Louisburg girls 4×100-meter relay, Kendall Crossley (100-meter dash) and McKenna Lohse (shot put) all found their way to the state podium during the May 30-31 meet at Wichita State University.

Louisburg’s 4×100-meter relay team of senior Mackenzie Rooney, along with juniors Kendall Crossley, Addi Mallett and Suzanna Dansel have posted some of the fastest times in Class 4A this season.

The Wildcat group broke the school record during the regional meet and posted another fast time of 49.14 seconds during the prelims, which gave them the second fastest time heading into the finals.

In what was a talented field, the Wildcat relay medaled fourth in 49.46 seconds. Clearwater won the state title in 48.10 seconds, while Coffeyville-Field Kindley was second at 48.69. Buhler was third at 49.07.

“Our 4×100 this year worked hard throughout the season and we were determined to work our way to the top of the podium,” Crossley said. “We all were pushing through injuries, so by state it was hard to work through that with some tough teams at our side. Overall we were proud of what we accomplished at state and throughout the season like setting a new school record and that will set the bar high for next year.”

***Louisburg’s Kendall Crossley gets the handoff from teammate Mackenzie Rooney during the finals for the 4×100 relay at the Class 4A state meet.***

That wouldn’t be the only time Crossley found her way to the medal stand.

The Louisburg junior qualified for the finals of the 100-meter dash earlier in the day, and then in the finals, medaled eighth overall in 12.82 seconds.

“It was my goal at the beginning of the season to take home more than one state medal so accomplishing that goal made all the challenges I faced throughout the season worth it and made it feel so much more rewarding,” Crossley said.

It was a special ending for Crossley to the state meet after what was a rough go of it on the first day. Crossley finished ninth in the prelims of the 200-meter dash in 26.52 seconds and missed a spot in the finals and a medal by one place.

However, instead of letting that get her down, she used that as motivation for the 100 dash the next day.

“By just barely missing that mark in the 200 meters, after having huge PRs in that race throughout the season, it was tough to know I was just so close,” Crossley said. “Missing out in that 200 will only push me harder next year.

“After that you have to move past it and the pressure was on for the 100 meters and I wasn’t going to allow myself to miss out on finals and earn that state medal. It was special to earn that medal because the competition was as hard as it’s ever been and it felt deserving to fit in with all the girls competing with me.”

***Louisburg junior McKenna Lohse medaled fifth in the shot put on May 30 at the Class 4A state meet.***

In the shot put, Lohse put herself in good position in the prelims. She recorded a throw of 37 feet, 1.25 inches in her first three attempts and was sitting in second place going into the finals.

Unfortunately, Lohse couldn’t top that throw, but still earned her first state medal as she finished fifth overall to cap what was her best state performance in the shot put ring.

“My goal at the beginning of this season was to get back to state again and this time be up on the podium,” Lohse said. “It felt amazing to be up there getting that medal, representing our school, in front of all those people.

“Honestly, I feel like I could have done better. Ultimately, if I would have thrown closer to my PR, I could have possibly challenged for the gold medal. This will motivate me even more though going into next season.”

It was a special season for Lohse as she had the top throw in Class 4A for a short time this season after setting a new personal record at the Redbud Classic in early May. She is excited to see what can happen in her final season for the Wildcats.

“I am looking forward to seeing what I can accomplish next year,” Lohse said. “One goal I have for myself is to always be better than the previous season and to continue to work harder to meet this. Personally, I have already set several new goals for next year in both shot put and discus. I know Coach (John) Reece and Coach G (Alex Gentges) are going to push me to be my very best next year since it will be my last opportunity to get back out there.”

***Louisburg sophomore Caroline Apple competed in three events at the state meet and took ninth in the high jump.***

Sophomore Caroline Apple, who was also in Wichita with the state soccer team, competed in three events on May 30 and just missed her first state medal.

Apple finished one spot outside of state medal in the high jump after she cleared 5 feet and took ninth overall. She nearly set a new PR at 5-2, but just clipped the bar.

She also competed in both hurdles races. Apple took 15th in the 300 hurdles in 50.08 and was 16th in the 100 in 16.87 seconds.

Freshman Ellie Vohs competed in two events at state, including one individual race in the 1,600-meter run. Vohs, who battled an injured ankle the last few weeks, took 11th overall in 5:42.

Vohs also joined Rooney, Mallett and Crossley in the 4×400-meter relay as they finished 14th overall in 4:15.

Also on the track, senior Marissa Vallejo competed in the 3,200-meter run and took 15th in 13:27. Vallejo, Breck Nielsen, Adelyn Moore and Annie Hornberger took part in the 4×800 relay and was 16th in 11:05.