Staff writer
It took Emily Sechrist only 14 minutes, 40 seconds to run the flat course Friday at Hesston at the league cross-country tournament. Not only was the time enough to place first, but for the second time this season Sechrist smashed her own school record, decreasing it 36 seconds from 15:16 at the start of the season.
“Emily’s outstanding time of 14:40 to win league for the second year in a row and smashing her own school record was the highlight of the meet,” coach Stuart Holmes said. “Her dedication to her running continues to help her improve each year and it is great to see her hard work pay off with outstanding races and times this season.”
The flat course and good weather conditions contributed to quicker times for several team members.
Sechrist, Karyn Leihy, Jonathan Hinerman, Lydia Kliewer, Avery Franz, and Tristan Donaldson all had personal bests at Hesston.
Sechrist and Leihy, who placed 14th out of 41 runners with a time of 16:55 earned repeat all-league honors.
Of the three that ran in the boys’ varsity race, Franz finished first with 19:11 to place 22nd, Hinerman placed 29th with 19:22, and J.O. Schmidt placed 50th with 21:02.
Kliewer placed sixth at 19:47 in the girls’ junior varsity race, and Donaldson placed 28 with 23:52 in the boys’ JV race.
Abby Diggers placed 10 with 7:46 in the 7th grade girls’ 1-mile race.
Next up for the team is regionals Saturday at Sugar Valley Golf Course in Mound City.