photo by: Contributed photo

Bishop Seabury senior Henry Nelson races at the Class 2A State cross country championship on Saturday, Nov. 1.

It hasn’t been an easy journey for Bishop Seabury senior Henry Nelson, but that didn’t stop him from securing a state title Saturday at the Class 2A cross-country state championship.

“The plan was to just go out there, have fun and see what happens,” Nelson said. “The goal was to win (state).”

Nelson has dealt with recurring health problems throughout his Seabury career. Granted, the only major injury was a broken leg before his sophomore track season. But after nearly every race — including multiple races his senior season — his legs have felt a lead-like heaviness.

Yet, he still manages to focus on the positive side because of his love for the sport.

On Saturday, that fun-loving side kicked in at around the 1.5-mile mark of the race, and his confidence continued to grow.

“I was like, ‘All right, come on, let’s do this,'” Nelson said. “This is something I’ve been working toward all of high school.”

After a long and often painful journey, Nelson is elated to be a state champion.

“That means so much to me,” Nelson said. “(I’ve overcome) a lot of adversity throughout high school and it’s finally come to fruition. I’m psyched right now.”

Other Area Results

Nelson’s sister Oona, a freshman at Seabury, also had a successful day at the Class 2A meet, finishing sixth with a time of 20:05. Senior Sabrina Eicher rounded out Seabury’s entries at the state meet (20th, 22:25).

In Class 4A, the Tonganoxie boys team found themselves on the podium with a third-place team finish, breaking a tie with Winfield thanks to Tonganoxie’s seventh runner beating Winfield’s seventh runner.

The THS boys were led freshman Eli Gilmore (5th, 16:54), senior Jakob Edholm (23rd, 17:33) and senior Dylan Graham (31st, 17:50).

Eudora finished 11th as a team, led by sophomore Cody Loganbill (29th, 17:48) and senior Jerratt Bradley (51st, 18:10).

Rounding out Class 4A boys was Baldwin with two runners: junior Hudson Allen (35th, 17:52) and freshman Caleb Carr (45th, 18:03).

On the Class 4A girls side, Baldwin took second as a team, led by sophomores Riley Smith (6th, 19:49) and Jana Landreth (21st, 20:51). Eudora took third as a team, led by seniors Riley (5th, 19:46) and Reagan Hiebert (20:09).

Tonganoxie junior Kristi Chambers competed individually, finishing 17th with a time of 20:39.

Class 2A Boys Results

Henry Nelson (16:36)

Class 2A Girls Results

6. Oona Nelson (20:05)

38. Sabrina Eicher (22:25)

Class 4A Boys Teams Results

3. Tonganoxie 108

11. Eudora 236

Class 4A Boys Individual Results

Tonganoxie

5. Eli Gilmore (16:54)

23. Jakob Edholm (17:33)

31. Dylan Graham (17:50)

Eudora

29. Cody Loganbill (17:48)

51. Jerratt Bradley (18:10)

75. Traeger Rader (18:45)

Baldwin

35. Hudson Allen (17:52)

45. Caleb Carr (18:03)

Class 4A Girls Teams Results

2. Baldwin 74

3. Eudora 76

Class 4A Girls Individual Results

Eudora

5. Riley Hiebert (19:46)

10. Reagan Hiebert (20:09)

18. Phoebe Fletcher (20:39)

Baldwin

6. Riley Smith (19:49)

21. Jana Landreth (20:51)

25. Ambrynn Stewart (21:07)

Tonganoxie

17. Kristi Chambers (20:39)