By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
The SES cross country team’s title defense got off to a strong start on Thursday with a sweep of the NCAA league meet at the Lakeside Invitational.
The boy’s team finished with 19 points, more than half the total of their closest challengers in Sacred Heart, while the girl’s team put together an unprecedented performance, with a score so low that it would have to be multiplied by five to give the next closest team an outside shot at the gold.
Both Dylan Sprecker and Jentrie Alderson found the top step of the podium with Sprecker posting a 15:38 and Alderson finishing with an 18:39.
All seven runners on the girl’s team finished inside the top ten, with every single varsity runner earning All-League honors.
Freshman phenom Abby Commerford joined Alderson on the podium in third, with Ashley Prochazka returning to form in fifth.
Rounding out the top ten Joni Schroeder took home sixth, Sadie Franklin seventh, Cali Augustine eighth, and Brookelyn Adams ninth, to cap off a truly outstanding day.
The boy’s team had a dominant showing of their own with four Trojans crossing the finish line before a single runner from any other school.
Sprecker was joined on the podium by sophomore Levi Allen and junior Damion Jackson. Joel Kejr wasn’t far behind turning in a big fourth-place finish in his league run.
Cayden Walker came home to take seventh, Nakari Morrical-Palmer eighth, and Drake Augustine just outside the top ten in eleventh.
Of the seven varsity runners at this meet, a staggering six were awarded All-League honors.
Overall 13 of the 14 Trojans running at league were given the title of All-League runners.
Both Trojan teams are on to regionals and will run on October 23rd looking to punch their tickets to state.
For more on both SES cross country teams title defense stay tuned to the Salina Post.