Firebird runners win league title, Venters takes 2nd

Free State senior Kiran Cordes and Shawnee Mission North's Katie Kasunic lead a pack of runners at the Sunflower League meet Saturday at Rim Rock Farm. Cordes placed fourth overall with a time of 19:05.7.

Free State High’s girls cross country runners knew they had a tall task in front of them, as they went up against tougher competition in Saturday’s Sunflower League meet at Rim Rock Farm.

But now that they have risen up to the challenge — taking first as a team — the Firebirds are confident about what the postseason has in store for them.

“I think it’s a huge accomplishment,” senior Emily Venters said. “We beat the top teams in the state. That gives us confidence going into state that we can win it. I think we are all just really excited.”

Venters, a two-time Class 6A state champion, led FSHS on the day with a second-place time of 18:18.5.

But Venters was more than 40 seconds behind league champion, Molly Born, of Shawnee Mission Northwest.

“I was a little disappointed in my race,” Venters said. “I wish it would have gone better. It’s just race by race. You can’t have a good race every week. My legs just wouldn’t really go the last mile. Through two miles, I actually was on really good pace for a (personal record).”

Venters set a personal best time of 17:53 at the Haskell Invitational two weeks ago and ran 18:07 at Rim Rock Farm in September.

Not far behind Venters was senior Kiran Cordes, who took fourth with a time of 19:05.7. Even with the wind playing a factor, Cordes improved her time by 37 seconds from the last time she ran on the course.

FSHS senior Abby Zenger also shaded 37 seconds off her time last month, placing sixth with a mark of 19:43.7. Sophomore Julia Larkin notched 14th to help seal the gold for the Firebirds.

On the boys side, Free State placed sixth out of 12 teams. Junior Avant Edwards posted a 10th-place finish, clocking a time of 16:59.2.

Afterward, Edwards was disappointed with his result and felt he could have done even better had it not been for the strong wind at the start of the race.

“We didn’t really feel it when we walked the course,” Edwards said. “When we got out there, you could feel it. We weren’t really ready for it. On the first mile it was really windy.”

Jared Hicks was able clinch a top-20 finish, with a time of 17:17.9 to place 16th.

Meanwhile, Landon Sloan’s time of 17:26.5 was good enough to finish 21st. Both runners shaved several seconds off their course time.

For Lawrence High, junior Carson Jumping Eagle ran a personal-best time for the second straight meet. Jumping Eagle clocked a 17:35.5 to place 27th. He was the highest LHS finisher on the boys’ side as no other runner placed higher than 35th.

Jumping Eagle credited his preparation in practice for his recent personal success.

“I just try to improve at practice,” Jumping Eagle said. “I work with Garrett (Prescott) a lot. He helps me run faster. I’m just going to try my hardest and run my own race.”

LHS sophomore Anna DeWitt notched a 21st-place finish with a time of 20:42.6 to lead the Lions. DeWitt was just three seconds shy of her personal-best time, which she set two weeks ago.

DeWitt was not bothered by the wind. In fact, she admitted she runs better in the cold weather.

“As a team we are improving a lot,” DeWitt said. “Our varsity has been taking spots and we are not getting last place at meets anymore. I think my junior and senior year we will definitely be (toward the) top.”

Lawrence’s girls cross country team finished 10th and the boys were 11th.

Sunflower League meet

Saturday at Rim Rock Farm

Girls 5K

Varsity team scores: Lawrence-Free State 50, SM Northwest 61, Olathe-North 91, SM North 99, SM East 138, SM West 164, Olathe-East 169, SM South 186, Olathe Northwest 193, Lawrence 266, Leavenworth 283, Olathe-South 353.

FSHS results: 2. Emily Venters, 18:18.5; 4. Kiran Cordes, 19:05.7; 6. Abigail Zenger, 19:43.7; 14. Julia Larkin, 20.33.1; 24. Emma Hertig, 20:49.1; 35. Erin Fagan, 21:23.5; 45. Erin Liston, 21:44.9;

LHS results: 21. Anna DeWitt, 20:42.6; 39. Morgan Jones, 21:33.9; 63. Kiikto Thomas, 22:29.7; 75. Leslie Ostronic, 22:56.3; 76. Olivia Lemus, 22:57.3; 87. Layne Prescott, 23:33.7; 88. Mikayla Herschel, 23.35.4; 90. Eleanor Matheis, 24:05.3; 93. Julia Beracat, 25:40.4.

Boys 5K

Varsity team scores: Olathe East 42, Olathe South 106, Olathe North 120, SM Northwest 123, SM East 134, Lawrence-Free State 137, SM North 158, Leavenworth 164, SM South 220, Olathe Northwest 243, Lawrence 275, SM West 283.

FSHS results: 10. Avant Edwards, 16:59.2; 16. Jared Hicks, 17:17.9; 21. Landon Sloan, 17:26.5; 42. Aiden Goertz, 18:00.2; 48. Grant Holmes, 18:07.6; 49. Charlie Johnson, 18:07.7; 73. William Benkelma, 18:45.1;

LHS results: 27. Carson Jumping Eagle, 17:35.5; 35. Garrett Prescott, 17:49.8; 67. Bryce Hadl, 18:35.2; 71. Cole Shupert, 18:40.4; 77. Sebastian Lepage, 18:55.1; 79. Jackson Hoy, 18:57.1; 85. Ben Otte, 19:31.9; 88. Braden Augustine, 19:36.5; 90. Cameron Stussie, 19:51.4; 91. Anton Grundstro, 19:53.1.