By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
Four meets into their 2021 season the Southeast of Saline cross country teams look ready for another title run as we approach the end of the season.
Individually Dylan Sprecker and Jentrie Alderson have won all but one race this year, each stating their case as the best runner in 3A.
The boy’s team has placed first in two meets, second in another, and third in Wamego where they competed at the 4A level.
So far the only 3A team to finish ahead of SES in any meet is Wichita Trinity, who finished first at Southeast’s home meet last week.
“For the most part we’re happy with where we’re at on the boy’s side,” SES head coach Wade Caselman said. “We were disappointed at first after our home meet but when we looked at the times a lot of our guys ran their personal best, we just have to close the gap from our second runner to our fifth runner.”
Sprecker has been joined in the top ten repeatedly by Damion Jackson and Levi Allen, with strong performances behind the trio from Joel Kejr, Cayden Walker, Nakari Morrical-Palmer and Drake Augustine.
On the girl’s side, SES has been just as dominant thanks in part to the electric freshmen duo of Abby Commerford and Cali Augustine, who have become two of the state favorite’s top runners heading into the final three meets.
“They ran very well in their eighth-grade seasons so we knew that they would be battling for varsity spots,” Caselman said. “Those two put in some good mileage this summer and it’s really paying off for them.”
The girl's team has finished in either first or second in every meet this season, competing with teams in higher divisions on multiple occasions.
In addition to Alderson, Commerford, and Augustine, SES is expecting big things from Ashley Prochazka, who is slowly but surely returning to 100% after battling injury early this season.
As for the rest of the team, Joni Schroeder, Sadie Franklin, Savannah Sutton, Mallorie Pearson and Brooklyn Adams are all running at a state-caliber level, leaving SES with decisions to make down the home stretch of the season.
Southeast will run at Halstead on September 30th and at Riley County on October 9th before their league meet on October 14th.
For continuing coverage of the SES cross country team in 2021, stay tuned to the Salina Post.