Free State High’s girls cross country runners surprised themselves when they tied for first place at the Class 6A state meet last year, placing second because of a tiebreaker.

There won’t be as much surprise this season.

The Firebirds won their past three meets, including Sunflower League and regional titles. They are hoping for similar success, and are considered one of the title favorites, when they start racing at 10:35 a.m. today at Rim Rock Farm. The 6A boys race will follow at 12:20 p.m.

“It’s been awesome,” senior Abigail Zenger said of the team’s success. “We weren’t really expecting it, but we have a pretty great team this year. I’m excited to see what we can do.”

The Firebirds, looking for their first state title since 2013, placed four runners in the top 10 at their regional — Emily Venters, Kiran Cordes, Julia Larkin and Zenger. Then Emma Hertig finished 11th.

“I just want to give my best effort and see what happens,” said Zenger, who took seventh at regionals. “Hopefully I can help the team out.”

Free State’s boys cross country team took third place at its regional, qualifying the entire team that features only one senior, William Benkleman.

With a young lineup, the Firebirds are hoping they’ve saved some of the best racing for the end of the year.

“I think a lot of it is just training through the summer and coaches have done a great job training us, balancing out speed workouts with miles,” junior Jared Hicks said. “I think all of it has paid off by the end of the year.”

Lawrence High junior Carson Jumping Eagle and sophomore Anna DeWitt earned spots at the state meet as individual qualifiers. It will be the first state race for both of them and Jumping Eagle has his eyes set on breaking his personal-record time of 17:20.

Despite only two state qualifiers, several LHS runners joined DeWitt and Jumping Eagle at practice this week and plan to travel to Rim Rock to support them.

“It’s nice,” Jumping Eagle said. “I wouldn’t be here without them.”

Seabury sends two to state

Bishop Seabury freshman Henry Nelson and sophomore Ella Blake qualified for the Class 2A state meet at Wamego Country Club. Nelson will run in the boys race at 11:10 a.m., and Blake will follow in the girls race at 12:55 p.m.

Nelson placed fourth at regionals in 17:51 while Blake was 13th in 22:46.