Trojan cross-country duo tastes state competition
Funk 32rd, Diener 50th at state
Staff writer
Trojan first-year cross-country coach Kodi Panzer was beaming Friday night when her two state qualifiers were introduced to compete at Saturday’s Class 2A state meet at Wamego at halftime of the football game.
She has a good reason to be and it’s easy to see why.
Emersyn Funk is only a freshman and Caleb Diener a sophomore.
Toss in the fact Panzer’s got a trio of incoming freshmen girls who along with Funk and Millie Sechrist will bolster the Trojan girls for years to come.
Diener’s got two years left to improve, and likely to threaten for a top-10 finish.
Saturday was a chance for Funk and Diener to get their feet wet and a taste of state competition.
In girls’ action, Funk secured 32rd out of 96 runners with a 22:27.
Diener managed a top-50 finish at 50th out of 108 in 18:57 for the boys.
“This year was some of the most fun I’ve ever had, I love it,” an ecstatic Panzer said. “I’ve got a great batch to work with and it was a great year.
“They all want to work hard and go to state already as teams. We’re already talking about next year.”
If the Trojans continue to maintain their love for running and dedication to improving like that of their coach, they certainly will be dangerous.