Labette County, Parsons runners race at state

WAMEGO — Three Labette County runners and one from Parsons raced at the KSHSAA 4A Cross Country State Championships in Wamego on Saturday.

In the boys’ race, Labette County’s Jacob Haraughty posted a time of 18:16 to finish 45th. He was the highest-placing non-Chanute runner from the SEK League — Chanute dominated the league and finished fourth as a team at state.

“That’s the best race I’ve ever seen him have,” Labette County head coach Chris Wacker said. “Where he started to where he’s at now has been so fun to watch. He’s been one of those runners that’s been so bought in. It was exciting to see him on Saturday. He finished out the season strong. The Parsons kid had always beat him until this year. Same with the Coffeyville kid. At state, it was one of those things to see him finish his career on a strong note.”

Host Wamego earned the state title with 54 points. Andale claimed runner- up with 99 points, followed by Buhler (119), Chanute (121), McPherson (144), Eudora (155), Pratt (173), Augusta (179), Rock Creek (203), Winfield (236), Bishop Miege (266) and Fort Scott (308).

McPherson’s Caleb Muehler won the state title individually with a time of 15:54, edging out Wamego’s Peyton Parker by less than a second.

Parsons’ Colten Carson finished 70th with a time of 18:56.

In the girls’ race, Paige Johnston placed 63rd with a time of 22:49 for Labette County.

“She did really well and it was probably her best race of the season,” Wacker said. “She beat the league champ and was right behind a Fort Scott girl. For her to come out and do that without running longer than a mile before this year, it’s been fun to watch her figure it out.”

Paishance Wagner finished 69th with at ime of 22:56 — both Johnston and Wagner PR’d.

“I was proud of how she got out a little more quickly than she usually does,” Wacker said. “Paishance usually gets out slower and more controlled then moves up in the second half. Her and Paige usually finish each other in most races. I had photos of them swapping spots the whole race. It was nice to see Paishance trust her legs. She ran a PR in her last meet.”

Buhler won the team state title in the 4A girls race with 67 points, followed by Wamego (72), Baldwin (89), Eudora (99), Augusta (147), Clay Center (151), Pratt (176), Winfield (196), Louisburg (202), Paola (224), Rose Hill (241) and Fort Scott (314).

Baldwin’s Irelyn Kennedy won the individual state title with at ime of 18:57, 15 seconds ahead of Paola’s Ella Needham who took runner-up.