By TYLER HENRY
Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post
Regardless of state, sport, or classification, 20 state championships is a feat that few programs in the country can even fathom.
On Saturday, the Southeast of Saline boys helped etch that feat into the history books in Lawrence, winning their ninth state cross country title, and the 20th overall for the program.
“Every state title is special, I don’t take any of these for granted,” SES head cross country coach Wade Caselman said. These aren’t easy to come by, year to year you never know what kind of kids you’ll have out and injury and illness can play a role as well, you just never know.”
With 57 points, the Trojans fought off their fated rivals in Wichita Trinity to emerge atop a field of 12 teams and win their first boys state championship since 2020.
Brayden Walker narrowly missed out on adding an individual title to an already stellar day, taking second place with a blazing time of 15:49.92.
Amidst the thrill of victory comes a sigh of relief, as Southeast snaps a streak of four-consecutive state runner up finishes.
“A lot of these kids have been so close for so long,” Caselman said. “To see the excitement on their faces when I told them that they’d be back on the top step was so amazing to see. They’ve worked hard to get here and they put in so much time and so many miles to achieve this, I’m so proud of them.”
This was a true team effort, as the entire Trojan lineup finished inside the top 25, with Jacob Bircher (17th), Zachary Carlin (20th), Edgar Calzada (22nd), and Brooks Carlin (25th) all posting strong times.
On the girls’ side, Piper Brown added another top-five finish with a time of 19:57.72 in her run as an individual.
“Piper placed fifth at regionals the week before so for her to also take fifth at state exceeded a lot of expectations,” he said. “We knew the talent was there and she had a great performance on Saturday.”
Brown joined Walker, Bircher, and Carlin in receiving all-state honors on a day that saw Southeast move into a tie with Bishop Miege for the fifth-most state cross country titles in Kansas history.
This also marks a monumental day for head cross country coach Wade Caselman, who has now overseen 10 of Southeast’s 20 state titles, coaching the girls to wins in 2014, 15, 20, 21, 22, and 23, and the boys to wins in 2018, 19, 20, and 25.
“Southeast of Saline has been known for cross country for a long time and it’s really neat to know that this program can be here every year,” Caselman said. “In all my years of coaching in 23 years I’ve always had at least one full team competing at state and we’ve been blessed to have both teams competing at times.”
That sentiment has been echoed throughout the administration at Southeast of Saline as the titles keep on coming.
“Coach Caselman has built one of the most dominant Cross Country programs in the State,” SES athletic director Doug Minneman said. “He has done that through building relationships with his runners, having high expectations and instilling a desire to always perform at their best. Through all of this, the moment is never to big, and his teams always compete at their best highest level on the biggest stage.”
Full results for the state meet can be found below.
Boys State XC Team Results
1. SE of Saline - 57
2. Wichita Trinity - 70
3. West Franklin - 98
4. Holcomb - 124
5. Caney Valley - 149
6. Lakin - 150
7. Girard - 191
8. Riley County - 208
9. Scott Community - 208
10. Holton - 234
11. Jayhawk Linn - 259
12. Silver Lake - 288
SES Boys Individual Results
Brayden Walker - 2nd (15:49.92)
Jacob Bircher - 17th (16:59.57)
Zachary Carlin - 20th (17:02.82)
Edgar Calzada - 22nd (17:06.95)
Brooks Carlin - 25th (17:13.76)
SES Girls Individual Results
Piper Brown - 5th (19:57.72)
Ava McGraw - 39th (21:29.01)
Anna Jackson - 41st (21:30.60)