Star-Journbal Editor
Paced by veterans Cody McMillen and Sean Leihy, the young and inexperienced Hillsboro High School boys' cross country team placed second this past Thursday in the MCAA league meet.
Considering that the winning team, Sterling, is the defending Class 2A state champions, it was a big accomplishment.
"Sterling has an outstanding team and is expected to repeat as champions, so placing second to them is nothing to be disappointed in," said coach Stuart Holmes.
The runners will compete at regionals Saturday at noon at the Cessna Activity Center in Wichita. The top three teams will earn a berth in the state meet, Oct. 28, in Wamego.
McMillen placed fourth in the race, and Leihy was eighth. It was the seventh year in a row that the boys had placed first or second in league competition.
The second place finish was truly a team effort, Holmes said, as Nicholas Mueller, who placed 14th, Johnathan Christian (25th) and Matthew Klenda (28th) all ran well.
"I knew our top three would run well," he said, "so having our fourth and fifth guys closer was huge."
As a reward, this week's Kansas Cross-Country Track & Field Coaches Association poll ranked the Trojans 5th in Class 3A.
Unfortunately, injuries and illness prevented the Hillsboro girls from a chance to contend for the league title.
The girls didn't have a team score because Hannah Marsh was ill and didn't run, and Elissa Richert was hampered by a sprained ankle, Holmes said.
