Runner of the Year: Emily Venters, Free State

Venters won four races this season, including her third straight regional championship. The Firebirds’ junior was runner-up at the Sunflower League meet and was third at state. At the first meet of the season, Venters won the 4K in 14:04, breaking the school record.

Coach of the Year: Steve Heffernan, Free State

With only two varsity returners from the previous year, the Firebirds tied for first place at the Class 6A state meet before losing by a tiebreaker. It’s the third straight season they have finished in the top two at state. Free State was runner-up in the Sunflower League and at regionals.

The 2015 Journal-World All-Area Girls Cross County Team, from left: Paige McDaniel, Wellsville; Addie Dick, Baldwin; Ellie Wilson, Mill Valley; Natalie Beiter, Baldwin; Coach of the Year Steve Heffernan, Free State; Runner of the Year Emily Venters, Free State; Kiran Cordes, Free State; Hannah Honeyman, Santa Fe Trail; Gabby Collins, De Soto; Julia Larkin, Free State; Mackenzie Russell, Baldwin.

First team

Natalie Beiter, Baldwin — Only a freshman, Beiter shined at the end of the season. She took 15th place at the 4A state meet, ninth at regionals and third in the Frontier League, helping the Bulldogs win team titles at each meet in the postseason.

Gabby Collins, De Soto — The Wildcats’ sophomore had another strong season, finishing runner-up at the Frontier League meet, fourth at regionals and 17th at the 4A state meet. Earlier in the season, Collins won the Cat Classic in a season-best 19:54.

Kiran Cordes, Free State — Cordes continued to drop time throughout the end of the season, medaling at state for the second straight year in seventh place. The junior was 10th in the Sunflower League and sixth at regionals.

Addie Dick, Baldwin — Dick was dominant in her senior campaign, winning five meets, including Frontier League and regional championships. She won the league title by more than a minute, finishing the 5K in 18:58 and was fifth at the state meet.

Hannah Honeyman, Santa Fe Trail — The Chargers’ sophomore followed up a strong freshman season by winning three meets and setting a meet record during each victory. Honeyman owns the school’s 5K record (18:57) and took fourth at the 4A state meet.

Julia Larkin, Free State — The Firebirds’ freshman improved throughout the season, earning a medal in 13th place at the state meet in a season-best time of 19:44. Larkin was 12th at regionals and 20th in the Sunflower League.

Paige McDaniel, Wellsville — In her first varsity season, McDaniel had six top-10 finishes, including a regional championship. The Eagles’ freshman was third in the Pioneer League in a season-best time of 20:44 and was 12th at the 3A state meet.

Mackenzie Russell, Baldwin — Russell took seventh at the 4A state meet, helping the Bulldogs to their first state championship since 2011 and ninth title in school history. Russell was fourth in the Frontier League and sixth at regionals.

Ellie Wilson, Mill Valley — Wilson helped the Jaguars to a Kaw Valley League title, finishing in third place in 20:15. The senior took 12th place at regionals and 18th at the 5A state meet, medaling at state for the second time in her prep career.

Honorable mention

Amber Akin, Mill Valley; Daelynn Anderson, Baldwin; Mia Bond, Tonganoxie; Emma Campbell, Tonganoxie; Taylor Cawley, Baldwin; Lexia Jamison, Perry-Lecompton; Delaney Kemp, Mill Valley; Morgan Jones, Lawrence; Lauren McDaniel, Wellsville; Fayth Peterson, Baldwin.