SEAN BOSTON
Hutch Post
WICHITA, Kan. — Area athletes from across south-central Kansas capped off standout seasons at the KSHSAA State Track & Field Championships, held Friday and Saturday at Wichita State’s Cessna Stadium. Multiple local schools earned gold medals, shattered personal bests, and climbed the podium in a meet that featured nearly 3,000 competitors across all classes.
GIRLS RECAP
Hesston’s Ashley Lehman continued to dominate as one of the state’s premier sprinters and jumpers in Class 3A. Lehman captured state titles in the 100 meters (11.75), 200 meters (24.56), and 400 meters (55.58), and also added a championship in the pole vault with a clearance of 12 feet, 1 inch. The Hesston girls 4x800 relay also brought home third in 10:00.05.
In Class 2A, Inman’s girls capped a stellar postseason with a state title in the 4x100 relay (50.36) and a silver medal in the 4x400 relay (4:07.63). Brooklyn Black placed third in the 300 hurdles (47.52), and Faith Baxter placed fourth in the wheelchair 100-meter dash.
Sterling’s Julia Kilgore completed a sweep in Class 2A sprints, winning the 400 in 57.12 and placing fourth in the 200 (25.24). Moundridge continued its relay dominance with a 4x400 gold (4:05.61) and silver in the 4x100 (50.72). Cammi Unruh (4th, 12.79) and Avery Schrag (10th, 400) added more top-10s.
Central Christian’s Jessa Losew was runner-up in the Class 1A 400 (59.17) and third in the triple jump (36-10). Teammate Belle Barnett placed ninth in the 100. Little River's Havana Olander earned the 1A triple jump crown at 37-9 1/4.
Buhler medaled in the Class 4A girls 4x100 (3rd, 49.08), with standout performances from Jenna Lackey, who finished fourth in the 200 (26.03) and third in the pole vault (10-0). Isabella Friesen took sixth in the 3200 (11:46.50), and Laney Reiff placed fifth in the 800 (2:23.05).
McPherson’s Lexi Patterson clocked 11:43.48 for fourth in the 4A 3200, while Arihanna Koehn took fifth in the 100 hurdles (15.62) and fourth in the 300 hurdles (47.29).
Pretty Prairie’s Lauren Detter finished third in the 1A 800 (2:25.24).
BOYS RECAP
McPherson’s Caleb Muehler had a dominant showing in Class 4A distance events, winning the 3200 meters with a state-best 9:24.70 and placing sixth in the 800 (1:59.69) and seventh in the 1600 (4:37.55). Teammate Ethan Elder was also top-10 in both races.
Buhler’s Gavin Lindahl placed second in the 1600 (4:28.60) and third in the 3200 (10:00.79), while Zach Friesen claimed silver in the 110 hurdles (14.89). Buhler's boys 4x100 relay finished fourth (43.32).
In Class 3A, Hesston’s Casey Heinrichs ran 1:58.00 to place third in the 800, and Jamison Kohl earned seventh in the 300 hurdles. The Swathers’ pole vaulters and throwers also earned points.
Halstead’s Breeson Bigley was sixth in the 400 (50.34), and the Dragons 4x400 team earned a top-10 finish.
Little River’s Kal-El Robinson placed fifth in the 1A 100 (11.35), while Jay Smith swept the boys wheelchair 100 (20.07) and 400 (1:37.82). Christopher Norez added a sixth-place javelin finish (165-9).
Inman’s Riley Roots was runner-up in the 2A 3200 (10:09.64), and Tyler Martisko placed eighth in the 800 (2:05.41). The Teutons were sixth in the 4x800 and claimed fifth in javelin behind Malachi Brunk (171-1).
Trinity Catholic took gold in the 2A 4x800 relay (8:24.11), and Isaac Hammersmith placed third in the high jump (6-6) and long jump (22-0.5). Kaid McElgunn took bronze in the 100 (11.16).
Moundridge’s Heath Churchill cleared 6-6 for silver in the 2A high jump and placed second in the 300 hurdles (39.89). Teammate Kaden Elmore won the 400 in 49.33 and placed second in the 100 (10.97).
Fairfield’s Brodie Snodgrass jumped 21-1 to finish ninth in the 1A boys long jump.
Sterling’s Zane Farney medaled in both hurdle events, placing fourth in the 110s (15.70) and third in the 300s (40.11).