By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
Following a dream season in 2020 that saw two new state banners raised in the Trojan gym, the Southeast of Saline cross country teams will be back and ready to defend their titles in 2021.
The boy's team, which defeated Smoky Valley at state by just four points, will have a slightly more difficult climb after graduating Luke Gleason, Dominic Jackson, Drew Hansen and Spencer Smith in 2020.
Returning to the team will be two top 20 finishers in senior Dylan Sprecker (4th) and junior Damion Jackson (14th).
Slotting in along Sprecker and Jackson will be Joel Kejr, Drake Augustine, Nakari Morrical-Palmer, Caden Walker, Hart Nurnberg and newcomer Levi Allen, who transferred in from Hillsboro this year.
Despite the losses, Kansas Milesplit still has the Trojans ranked as the number one team in the state heading into the 2021 season.
“Even though we had to replace some crucial people from our team I think the talent is there for our boys,” head coach Wade Caselman said. “Being number one puts a target on our back but I think we have the capability to be one of the top teams in 3A once again.”
While there are still some question marks on the boy's team heading into the new season, the girl's team, which defeated Scott City by 18 points for a state title last season, will return every single runner.
The team will be anchored by senior Jentrie Alderson, who finished the state meet in seventh and collected two gold medals at the state track meet last spring.
Alderson will once again be joined by Ashley Prochazka, Mallorie Pearson, Joni Schroeder, and Savannah Sutton, a group that is also ranked as the top team in the state and the favorites to take home another title this year.
“They’re a close group of girls,” Caselman said. “They get along very well together and are incredibly supportive of each other. I think Jentrie, Joni and Mallorie will play a key role in keeping that group on track and striving for what we want to accomplish this year.
Waiting in the wings is a great group of underclassmen led by Brooklyn Adams, Sadie Franklin, and freshman arrivals Abby Commerford and Cali Augustine.
In order to repeat as state champs, the girls will have to overcome some of the best teams in 3A, a group that is led most notably by Scott City, Norton and Smoky Valley.
For the boys, it will once again be Smoky Valley and Wichita Trinity, the two teams that finished second to SES at state and regionals respectively, looking to take the crown from the Trojans.
Both teams will kick off their season on September second at the Abilene Invitational.
For more on the SES Trojan and Lady Trojan cross country teams, stay tuned to the Salina Post.