Hayley Francis of Free State High paces herself during the varsity portion of the Haskell Indian Nations Invitational cross country race. Francis finished second in the event Saturday

The opportunity to compete against one of the top two cross country teams in the state doesn’t just come along every week.

That is, unless you’re talking about the Free State High girls cross country team.

“We’ve run against either a No. 1 or a No. 2 team every meet this year,” Firebirds cross country coach Steve Heffernan said. “Whether it’s 4A or in Nebraska when we went up there, it’s the same deal. They’re used to facing really stiff competition. I think now it’s just kind of routine for them to go in and run against really good teams.”

Saturday’s Haskell Invitational was no different.

Undaunted by facing Class 6A’s No. 1 team in Manhattan as well as No. 2 Olathe East, the Free State girls team – ranked fifth in the state – finished second overall at the eight-team event and had the top two individual performances.

Junior Kyra Kilwein blew away the field, running the 4K race in 15:21.78.

Freshman Hayley Francis followed in second with a time of 15:46.76.

Kilwein, who trailed at the halfway mark of the course, said she ran a very calculated race.

“I took it pretty slow at the beginning so I would have enough energy throughout the race,” she said. “By the mile mark, I felt like I could go and do it, and I just did.”

De Soto, ranked No. 1 in both boys and girls Class 4A, also competed at the event. Sophomore Carly Stanley had the best finish for the girls in ninth place, and Lacey Erickson was 10th.

On the varsity boys side, the battle of the day occurred near the finish line of the 5K race between De Soto’s Colin Jokisch and Free State’s Logan Sloan. Jokisch, who stands nearly a foot taller than 5-foot-1 freshman Sloan, withstood Sloan’s final push to finish second overall. The margin of victory was just .52 seconds.

“He held with me for most of the kick, but I just got that little space on him,” Jokisch said. “That’s crazy that someone so small can do that.”

Sloan, who attends West Junior High, is always one of the smallest competitors during varsity races.

“It’s very intimidating,” Sloan said. “Those guys are like 6-foot. They get pretty scary sometimes.”

Still, it’s not Sloan’s height that matters. It’s his legs that push him to the finish line. And he usually arrives there before most.

“I just run my race,” he said. “I don’t worry about anybody else. My teammates really help, too.”

Heffernan can see Sloan’s potential already.

“Logan’s going to be a very, very good runner,” Heffernan said “With freshmen, each week is always a little bit of an adventure. He’s been a little bit more consistent than most freshmen have. When I saw him up there early and looking relaxed, I thought he might have a good race today.”

De Soto coach Chris McAfee was pleased with Jokisch’s performance.

“I think that’s by far the best race he’s ever run,” McAfee said. “He executed his race plan almost perfectly and never panicked.”

McAfee also thought his team, which finished second overall, held its own against those from Class 6A.

“We feel pretty good,” McAfee said. “Any time you can run close to Olathe East and Free State, you’ve got a solid program.”