The Roundup

Here we go, ladies and gents.  On an afternoon without homework, I have prepared for my installation of review!  To start, the review of the KSHSAA 4A State Championships!

Boys
Wamego wins.  Who called it?  THIS GUY.  54 points in a State meet  is mighty impressive.  I expected them to win the title, but I was surprised that they ran away with it.  Kudos to Jordan Routh and Bradley Borger, in 12th and 13th, Jacob Routh in 16th, and Trenton Butler in 19th.  I expected Hudson Philip in the Top 10, and he took 5th.  These boys stepped up their game big time to bring the hardware home for Coach Rick Patton.  Congrats.

Hugoton was my pick for second, and they pulled it out, barely nipping third by 2 points, 112 to 114. 

DeSoto was the third place team, which I called, courtest of the stud effect, provided for in full force by Angel Vasquez.

Andale took just a spot higher than I expected.  Honestly, they really performed on an individual basis pretty much just like I expected them to. 

Baldwin flip-flopped with Andale.  They just didn't perform as strongly as I anticipated, so they switch places.

Labette County finished strong.  Remember, I made the comment that their finish could rely on their guns at the top.  Drew Baum was 6th and David Geren took 11th.  That is proof that the stud effect really works.

Tonganoxie finished almost exactly as I anticipated.  Labette jumped them, but they performed basically as anticipated.

Paola ran almost the same times that they have been all season long, which is impressive on Wamego's course.  Either they've run on tough courses all season long to make their times look bad or else they stepped it up big time.  Kudos.

Hiawatha finished close to where I predicted.  Paola leapfrogged them, despite a strong showing by Cale Heineger.

Ulysses struggled more than I anticipated on Wamego's hills. 

McPherson finished about where I expected. 

Chanute seemed to kind of fall apart.

Overall, I had 7 of the Top 10 individuals correct, including the obvious pick for State champ, Angel Vasquez of DeSoto.

Girls
Baldwin was handily the favorite, and they performed as such.  They didn't have anybody in the Top 10 like I thought they would, but they still won pretty easily.

Maize South didn't struggle like I thought they might on the hills.  The top 2 (Moran Schafer and Mady Nestor) were awesome, Katy Trumble ran pretty well as the number 3, and number 4, Grace Aitken, really stepped it up.  They really earned that 2nd place trophy.

Paola was a complete shock to me.  Not only did they have two in the top 10, but they had two under 16:00, faster than any of their results from the season that I could find.  They stepped it up BIG TIME.  Kudos to Paola, and my apologies for bagging on ya in the predictions.

Pratt exhibited the stud effect at its finest.  They finished much higher than I had previously anticipated.

Buhler ran with a very successful pack effort.  I am impressed with the way they stepped it up at the State level.

Wamego finished out of the Top 5.  I can't believe it.  They ran marginally worse than I expected, and that is reflected in finishing marginally worse than I anticipated.

Rose Hill finished just slightly lower than I expected.  Emily Terrell lead the way, keeping the team's head above water with the stud effect.

DeSoto surprised me.  I really anticipated better from the Wildcats (wait, there's that Wildcat curse again...), but if I know Coach McAfee like I think I do, they'll be back to their original glory in no time.

St. James did alright, but I still think that Hayden would have performed a little better at State.  Of course, they might not have, due to the whole Wildcat curse and all...

SIDE BAR:  Btw, anyone watch the KSU Wildcats?  Didn't go too well...

Concordia was another team that really surprised me with a lackluster performance.  After the way they performed at the Wamego Invitational, and at their league championships, I thought for sure they were at least a Top 5 team at State.  However, bad races happen, and it appears that more than one of their girls had one at once.

Chanute struggled despite a respectable  effort by Maddison Dispensa.

Pittsburg at least got to go to State.

On the individual front, I picked the winner, Cheyenne Becker of Pratt, which I think anybody could have done.  Heddin of Hesston performed well, but miss Emilea Finley didn't have the race she wanted.  Don't worry, she'll be back on the track.  Overall, the girls' Top 10 was very tricky, and I was happy to just have 4 of the 10 correct.

In other, Random News, there is a rumor circulating that the ghost of Steve Prefontaine is making random appearances at high school cross country meets in his home state of Oregon.  That could explain why people are so fast there, I'd run fast too if I was being goaded on by a spector.

This Week's Sign(s) of the Appocalypse:  After a trip to Garden City, KS, I have decided that Western KS isn't so bad afterall.  Also, Wichita South did not take last at 6A State.

Bible Verse of the Day:  Proverbs 3:5-6  Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct all your paths.

I'm not sure what I'll be blogging about for the next few months until track season begins, but there is always something.  The world is full of random observations just waiting to be made.  There is college running that might be worth mentioning, like how Wisconsin is going to beat Oklahoma State for the NCAA Division I title.  There are spiritual discussions just waiting to be had.  There are liable to be college visits worth recounting.  I'll find something, and I hope you'll enjoy it.

Until next time!