Mclouth ? McLouth High cross country coach George Karn knows his girls can’t keep up their current pace, but he will ride their winning wave as long as it lasts.

“Three for three,” Karn said with a chuckle after the Bulldogs won their home meet Thursday. McLouth posted a score of 44, while Kansas City Christian took second with 66 points.

The pack of runners makes the first turn at the McLouth Invitational. McLouth High's girls won the team competition, and K.C. Christian won the boys title Thursday in McLouth.

“There was definitely some motivation with this being our home meet,” said Karn of his squad, which started the season by winning the Jefferson West Invitational, then won Saturday in Wamego. “I’m proud of the way they’re running, but all that says right now is that they are having good practice for later in the season.”

After all, the thought of missing state last season has motivated a senior-laden McLouth team.

“Definitely a lot of motivation in just missing out,” said senior Christy Gunther, one of five McLouth runners that finished in the Top 15 Thursday. “This season is another chance; our last one.”

Hallie Watson led McLouth with a fourth-place finish in 13:21, while Hillary Turner took seventh and Erin Watson followed her in 11th. Erica Meyer rounded out the McLouth medalists in 15th place.

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The Bulldog boys finished third, behind Kansas City Christian, which won with 29 points.

Seabury Academy’s Katie Pottorff finished second in the girls race in 13:10.