McMillen leads the way for Trojans at state cross country
Sports reporter
After finishing third at the 3A El Dorado regional, a 40th-place finish at the state cross country meet may not have been what Hillsboro High School senior Cody McMillen had in mind.
Still, the senior finished out a stellar career Saturday at Wamego as the first Trojan to cross the finish line with a 5K time of 18 minutes, 50.71 seconds.
Head coach Stu Holmes felt for McMillen who he said was not himself during the race.
After hanging in seventh for much of the race, Holmes could tell he was fading fast toward the end.
"Everyone's heart goes out to Cody as he just didn't hardly have any energy, and did well just to finish," Holmes said.
The senior has finished first for the Trojans in every race this year.
"It was so unfortunate as he has worked for so long to place in the top 10 at state," Holmes said.
Junior Nicholas Mueller who has been toward the top in each meet as well, was racing again with what Holmes thinks is an abdominal strain.
He finished in 80th with a time of 20:04.91.
"Like Cody he just didn't have the ability to run his normal race despite his determination," Holmes said.
The next three Trojan runners all came in back-to-back-to-back.
Johnathan Christian (19:24.80), Nathan Vogel (19:25.29), and Matthew Klenda (19:27.42) were 61st, 62nd, and 63rd.
Brandon McMillen (19:30.60) was next at 66th, and Cody Blackletter (20:32.67) was 87th.
Holmes was pleased with his group who was ninth out of 12 teams.
"The rest of the guys ran well, and improved their time from earlier this year on the same course," he said.
Seniors McMillen, Christian, Tyrel Blecha, Alex Jost, and Lance Kliewer ended their careers as Trojan runners.
"They have contributed greatly to the team through their outstanding attitudes and we will miss [them]," Holmes said.
Holmes appreciated all the support he received this year from parents, his assistant coach, and all the runners on both the girls' and boys' teams for another successful season.
"I was proud of the guys' effort," Holmes said. "They all ran very determined and gave it their best — which is all anyone can do."
