By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
The Southeast of Saline cross country teams, currently ranked #1 and #2 in the state in Class 3A, will take one final step towards a title chase and defense at regionals on Saturday before the state meet in Rim-Rock next week.
The Trojans and Lady Trojans have finished every race this season as the fastest 3A team present, and will look to carry that success into the home stretch of yet another phenomenal fall.
“The kids are really excited,” SES head coach Wade Caselman said. “We got off to a good start to the championship portion of our season at league and they’re excited, primed, and ready to go.”
Despite the overwhelming success Southeast has had statistically, both teams have continued to push themselves, and each other as they strive toward their ultimate goal.
“As a coach, we’re always pushing them to run a little bit better and they’re running well but we can still improve,” Caselman said. “I don’t think we’ve had a day where everyone has run up to their potential yet and we can still cut our time gaps down. That will be something we really strive for at regionals.”
While a trip to state feels like an inevitability for both teams, each will need to be on their game as every individual runner looks to begin their peak at the right time of the year.
“Our girls are ranked #1 but we’ll see a lot of top-seven schools at this regional and they know that they’ll have to go out and compete at a high level,” he said. “The guys just want to get out and run some fast times this weekend on a very flat course that’s different from rim rock but that’s a good course nonetheless.”
Before the Trojans and Lady Trojans hit the course on Saturday, let’s take a closer look at all of the runners for both teams that have led Southeast to the precipice of two more state title runs.
Runner: Abby Commerford
Class: Sophomore
Highest finish: 2nd
Fastest time: 20:12
League position: 2nd
A word from Coach Caselman: "Abby has been very consistent this season with her times and placings and I feel that she is peaking at the right time to get under 20 minutes."
Runner: Ashley Prochazka
Class: Senior
Highest finish: 1st
Fastest time: 20:19
League position: 3rd
A word from Coach Caselman: "Ashley has been a solid performer for the girl's team during her high school career. Her leadership and experience in the postseason have been great for our younger runners."
Runner: Breckyn Alderson
Class: Freshman
Highest finish: 4th
Fastest time: 20:59
League position: 4th
A word from Coach Caselman: "Breckyn has really come on strong for us this season. She has gotten better every week and I look forward to seeing what she can do these next few weeks."
Runner: Cali Augustine
Class: Sophomore
Highest finish: 5th
Fastest time: 21:28
League position: 5th
A word from Coach Caselman: "Cali has been a solid performer for us all season and I feel that she is peaking at the right time as we enter the last two weeks of the season."
Runner: Savannah Sutton
Class: Senior
Highest finish: 11th
Fastest time: 22:14
League position: 11th
A word from Coach Caselman: "Savannah has been having very good workouts these last couple of weeks and is ready to run some fast times for us."
Runner: Brenna Felzien
Class: Senior
Highest finish: 11th
Fastest time: 22:32
League position: 13th
A word from Coach Caselman: "Brenna has been working so hard this season and I am excited to see what she can do in the postseason."
Runner: Brookelyn Adams
Class: Junior
Highest finish: 1st-JV
Fastest time: 22:40
A word from Coach Caselman: "Brookelyn has been a strong runner for the girl's team the last several years and I feel that her experience will help her as we go into regionals and state."
Runner: Saide Franklin
Class: Junior
Highest finish: 1st-JV
Fastest time: 23:05
League position: 14th
A word from Coach Caselman: "Sadie has worked hard this season after missing part of it because of an injury. I feel that she could step in and help the girl's team in a positive way if she is needed."
Runner: Carly Commerford
Class: Senior
Highest finish: 4th-JV
Fastest time: 25:08
A word from Coach Caselman: "Carly worked hard in the offseason to get her in position to be on the postseason roster and I am very excited for her to be on there."
Runner: Charlotte Knopf
Class: Freshman
Highest finish: 2nd-JV
Fastest time: 25:04
A word from Coach Caselman: "Charlotte, like Carly, put in miles this summer to help her get stronger and faster this season. She has improved a lot and this will help give her postseason experience that we will need in the future."
Runner: Levi Allen
Class: Junior
Highest finish: 1st
Fastest time: 16:24
League position: 1st
A word from Coach Caselman: "Levi has a great work ethic and attitude and knows what it takes to be successful. I feel that his best races are going to take place during these next two weeks."
Runner: Damion Jackson
Class: Senior
Highest finish: 2nd
Fastest time: 16:24
League position: 2nd
A word from Coach Caselman: "Damion Mr. Consistency Jackson has been a runner that I can depend on each and every meet to go out and get the job done. He has been a great leader for the guys team this year."
Runner: Brayden Walker
Class: Freshman
Highest finish: 2nd
Fastest time: 16:47
League position: 3rd
A word from Coach Caselman: "Brayden is developing into a great runner for us. He has the work ethic and desire to be great. I can't wait to see what he does these next two weeks."
Runner: Cayden Walker
Class: Junior
Highest finish: 3rd
Fastest time: 16:47
League position: 4th
A word from Coach Caselman: "Cayden has put in the work since last cross country season and it has been paying off for him and has helped make our team strong once again this year."
Runner: Jacob Bircher
Class: Freshman
Highest finish: 7th
Fastest time: 17:34
League position: 7th
A word from Coach Caselman: "Jacob has not let the fact that he is a freshman intimidate him against the competition. He has been consistent and is ready to run his best races of the season."
Runner: Nakari Morrical-Palmer
Class: Senior
Highest finish: 10th
Fastest time: 18:09
League position: 10th
A word from Coach Caselman: "Nakari has been getting closer each week to breaking into the 17s and we are going to need him to do that to help us push for that State Title."
Runner: Isaiah Kejr
Class: Freshman
Highest finish: 12th
Fastest time: 18:40
League position: 12th
A word from Coach Caselman: " Isaiah has come into his freshman season and been our number 7 runner all season. He has not let the pressure of being on varsity scare him in the least. I feel he is another one that is ready to run fast these last two weeks."
Runner: Ben Heinrich
Class: Sophomore
Highest finish: 1st JV
Fastest time: 18:58
A word from Coach Caselman: "Ben has improved a lot throughout the season and I feel he could step in and be successful as our first alternate if needed."
Runner: Ben Grauerholz
Class: Junior
Highest finish: 1st-JV
Fastest time: 19:08
A word from Coach Caselman: " Ben Grauerholz is another one that has put in the work in the offseason to get better. His improvement and hard work have not gone unnoticed. It is exciting to see the success he has had this year."
Runner: Drew Richardson
Class: Senior
Highest finish: 3rd- JV
Fastest time: 19:36
A word from Coach Caselman: "Drew has been on our Postseason teams for four years now and I am proud of the leadership and his dedication to get better each and every day at practice."