By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
Phase two of Southeast of Saline’s cross country title defense was a resounding success as the regional meet saw a Trojan sweep, with both teams punching their tickets to state.
The girl’s team showed why they were favored heading into regionals, putting on a show, and dominating the meet with a team score of 25, twice as good as the next closest team in Cheney.
Three of the first five runners to cross the line donned the purple and white, led by regional champion Jentrie Alderson, who posted a time of 18:20.7 and is one top finish away from winning every meet on the calendar this year.
Alderson was followed closely by Ashley Prochazka and Abby Commerford, who finished third and fifth respectively.
This was an especially good meet for Prochazka, who has been slowly returning to form after an injury in the early portion of the season.
Cali Augustine finished just outside the top ten in 11th with Brookelyn Adams in 13th, Sadie Franklin in 15th, and Joni Schroeder keeping the whole team inside the top 20 in 17th.
With the top three teams punching their tickets to state, Southeast will be joined in Wamego by Cheney and Smoky Valley from this regional.
The boy’s team also took home a top finish but only by the slimmest of margins.
The Trojans avenged a second-place finish at the hands of Wichita Trinity earlier this season, edging out the Knights by a single point to collect the regional hardware.
Dylan Sprecker continued to look dominant, winning the race with a time of 15:33.9, a full 30 seconds ahead of the next fastest runner.
Levi Allen and Joel Kejr joined Sprecker in the top ten, finishing sixth and tenth respectively.
Damion Jackson and Cayden Walker turned in solid performances in 12th and 17th with Nakari-Morrical Palmer and Drake Augustine rounding out the team in 24th and 36th.
Those finishes were enough for SES to post a team score of 45, one point better than the Knights who finished in 4th, 5th, 9th, 13th, 16th, 28th, and 38th for a team score of 46.
Southeast and Wichita Trinity will be joined at state by Smoky Valley who wrapped up regionals with a score of 68.
Both teams will run at the state meet in Wamego on Saturday, October 30th. The girls likely will be favored to repeat as state champs while the boys will once again have to battle the likes of Wichita Trinity for a fourth straight title.