Wildcat cross country hoping to find way back to state meet

The Louisburg cross country team went into the 2024 season with a lot of inexperience overall.

Still, that season ended with a pair of runners at the state meet and growth throughout the roster. Although the Wildcats will be more experienced in 2025, they will still be young.

Louisburg has no seniors on this year’s roster as the Wildcats aim to return to the state meet in Wamego in late October. Juniors Truman Ellison and Levi Cotter represented Louisburg at state last season and will look to guide the Wildcats throughout the year.

Ellison, Cotter and fellow junior Spencer Mattison are the boys’ top three runners from a year ago and are taking more of a leadership role.

“We look to Truman and Levi to lead the team as well as Spencer,” Louisburg coach John Reece said. “Since we have no seniors, the juniors will be stepping up to be our leaders. Talen (McMurray) is setting a positive tone on the girls’ side.”

Along with those top three runners, newcomer Titus Ellison will also join the varsity boys, while Reece hopes August Meyer and Matthew Lien could join them later in the year.

On the girls side, McMurray, Annie Hornberger, Hailey Shelton and Anna Cotter will serve as the top runners to begin the season. Reagan and Reese Smith, Maddox McGhee, Karissa Williamson and Felicity Allen are also vying for varsity spots.

“We have several returners from last year that we look to make an impact,” Reece said. “All those girls are working well we look to them to round out a solid varsity team and challenge each other to be a top seven runner.”

The Wildcats begin their season on Sept. 4 as they travel to the Jerry Howarter Invitational at the Garnett County Club. Events are set to begin at 5 p.m.

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