Did someone say four-peat??!!?! Yes, yes they did. Entering the 2023 cross country season, the high school girls team is looking to win yet another state title. The history of Southeast of Saline cross country is a deep one. The girls team has won a total of ten championships in the last 40 years they have been a team, and three of them have been in the last three years. The team feels very optimistic about this season. The expectations are high, but that is not a worry, only fuel for the returning runners and incoming freshmen. The girls graduated four senior runners last year, one of which was the top runner on the team. Despite that loss, the rest of the team is ready to step up. After talking to varsity runners, Sadie Franklin and Cali Augustine, I learned that the road to success includes, “Hitting new PR’s and grouping up. We have to close the gap between the first few runners and the last.” Both girls also agreed that, “Team bonding nights, and pasta dinners are the best way to include everyone and grow as a team.”
The boys team has won a total of eight championships since 1983 which was when they first became a team. The boys have won three of them in the last five years. After speaking with senior runners, Cayden Walker and Levi Allen, they had a little bit to say about meeting the expectations for the 2023 season. Last season, the boys were the runners up at the state meet. Levi Allen said, “Getting second made me really mad, and I am only using that as fuel for this year, and I think the rest of the guys feel that way too.” Cayden Walker added that, “I am most looking forward to the Wamego meet because there is good competition, and the weather is usually a little cooler which is my favorite to run in.” The team goals are pretty obvious, both boys agreed; it is going to be really important to win every single meet, and go one-two-three at the Halstead meet. As far as personal goals, both boys are trying to get sub 16 and stay as close with each other as possible. The boys team also lost multiple varsity runners last year. Cayden added, “I like how we’re not as strong this year. It’ll be important to add more emphasis on each meet. We have a lot to prove.”
As for both the boys and the girls teams, each individual athlete is clear on the expectations and standards that must be met in order to achieve the team goals. The community loves this team, and they are all looking forward to watching both teams take the necessary strides to get the gold!
