By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
After a dominant league performance that saw 13 of their 14 runners finish inside the top ten, the Southeast of Saline cross country teams are ready for phase two of their title defense.
“Both teams have worked really hard this year and our effort has never been lacking,” SES head coach Wade Caselman said. “We know we’ve got some lofty goals looking to repeat as state champions with both teams but we’ve got to take care of business on Saturday first.”
Saturday’s meet will take place in familiar territory for the Trojans, who will host the regional in Gypsum.
While that familiarity may give SES a boost, the only team to take down their boys team this season will be running alongside them, and they accomplished that feat on this very course.
“The confidence is there for both of our teams,” Caselman said. “Our girls know they’re favored to win and our boys are ranked second behind Wichita Trinity who are in our regional and beat us at our home course earlier this year. We’re focused on what we need to do to split them up.”
Outside of Wichita Trinity, both fields will feature some strong contenders, with Smoky Valley, Wichita Collegiate, Riley County, and Council Grove looking to challenge the boys, and Cheney, Minneapolis, and Smoky Valley looking to take down the girls.
Here is a deeper look at the 14 runners who will take to the starting line for SES on Saturday.
Runner: Jentrie Alderson
Class: Senior
League position: 1st
League time: 18:39
Season-best time:18:25
A word from coach: Jentrie is primed and ready to make a run at the State 3A Girls Title.
Runner: Abby Commerford
Class: Freshman
League position: 3rd
League time: 20:23
Season-best time: 20:23
A word from coach: Abby has done a great job of transitioning from a junior high cross country runner to a high school runner who is one of the top freshman runners in 3A.
Runner: Ashley Prochazka
Class: Junior
League position: 5th
League time: 20:57
Season-best time: 20:57
A word from coach: Ashley has recovered from an early-season injury and is running very well right now.
Runner: Joni Schroeder
Class: Senior
League position: 6th
League time: 21:14
Season-best time: 21:11
A word from coach: Joni has been very consistent for us this season and is running very well right now.
Runner: Sadie Franklin
Class: Sophomore
League position: 7th
League time: 21:33
Season-best time: 21:33
A word from coach: Sadie has done a very nice job for us this season and has gotten a lot stronger as a runner this year.
Runner: Cali Augustine
Class: Freshman
League position: 8th
League time:21:48
Season-best time: 21:08
A word from coach: Cali has given our girl's team some added depth this season has also transitioned well from junior high to high school.
Runner: Brookelyn Adams
Class: Sophomore
League position: 9th
League time: 22:00
Season-best time: 22:00
A word from coach: Brookelyn has worked so hard this season and is such a strong runner.
Runner: Dylan Sprecker
Class: Senior
League position: 1st
League time: 15:38
Season-best time: 15:32
A word from coach: Dylan is running very well right now and has been a great leader this season to the rest of his teammates.
Runner: Levi Allen
Class: Sophomore
League position: 2nd
League time: 17:07
Season-best time: 17:00
A word from coach: Levi has been a great addition to our boys team this year. Levi has gotten a lot stronger as the season has progressed.
Runner: Damion Jackson
Class: Junior
League position: 3rd
League time: 17:12
Season-best time: 16:30
A word from coach: Damion has been running very strong this year and we are looking forward to see what he will achieve at regionals and state.
Runner: Joel Kejr
Class: Senior
League position: 4th
League time: 17:16
Season-best time: 17:08
A word from coach: Joel has been running so well this season and I have really enjoyed watching him develop into a very good distance runner the last 4 years.
Runner: Cayden Walker
Class: Sophomore
League position: 7th
League time: 17:58
Season-best time: 17:58
A word from coach: Cayden has been doing a good job for us this season and will play a very important part in the teams quest to try and 4-Peat.
Runner: Nakari Morrical-Palmer
Class: Junior
League position: 9th
League time: 18:19
Season-best time: 18:19
A word from coach: Nakari and been running faster these last couple of weeks and we are hoping for two more fast races these next two weeks.
Runner: Drake Augustine
Class: Junior
League position: 11th
League time: 18:27
Season-best time: 18:27
A word from coach: Drake has done a very nice job this season for his first year of running cross country.
For continuing coverage of both SES cross country teams and their title defense stay tuned to the Salina Post.