The boys’ cross-country team hit many strides during the season that they were striving for. After suffering a loss at state the previous year, the Trojans had their eye on the prize, and they weren’t going to let anyone stop them. Unfortunately, they came up short once again at state. Going into the race, they knew they were major underdogs and would fight through the biggest races of their lives along with a bit of luck with the Wichita Trinity boys potentially not having their best performances. 

At the end of the season, the top five boys decided they weren’t quite done with their season, deciding to take a trip up to South Dakota and race at the Nike Cross Country Regionals. This meet was recorded to be the biggest Nike Event for cross country. (Singh, 2021) There were close to 4,000 runners including boys and girls. 

The boys left the Friday the 18th of November before the race which was going to be on Sunday so they would be able to get there soon enough to buy limited-time clothing. There was a mile-long line leading up to the vendors while everyone was waiting with great anticipation. The line was too long for the boys to wait in, so they bribed another runner’s dad to get them their shirts for them while they played cornhole. 

After the runners got their packets and bib number, they had the chance to run the course with a couple of Pro Nike Runners in a big group of about 300 runners. The course was quite simple, as it was just a couple of loops around a soccer complex, with a final loop to lead you to the finish line.

 “There wasn’t much to the course but the experience was so surreal,” said Cayden Walker. 

Race day had finally come around, and the weather was not exactly cooperating. It was 10 degrees outside, and runners reported not being able to feel the tips of their fingers. Brayden Walker and Jacob Bircher competed in the rising stars race that was earlier in the morning.

Brayden got 6th with a time of 16:22. Cayden Walker, Levi Allen, and Damion Jackson ran in the High School Boys Open race. Levi placed 19th with a time of 16:07. Damion finished 40th with a time of 16:12. Cayden finished 61st with a time of 16:26

After a very successful year from all five runners mentioned, they ended it on a great note with many of them reaching their PR’s. They had a great time with one of the greatest experiences you could have. 

Work Cited

Singh, Hocker -. “Nike Cross Regionals Heartland – by KSXCT&F.” The Lead Pack, 20 November 2021, https://kansasrunningweekly.substack.com/p/nike-cross-regionals-heartland. Accessed 20 December 2022.