Schwartzkopf Leads Mill Valley To 6A Title

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

Mill Valley freshman Katie Schwartzkopf stole the spotlight Saturday afternoon at the Kansas State Cross County Country Championships at Rim Rock Farm in Lawrence. Schwartzkopf finished first in 18 minutes, 19 seconds for the fastest time of the day, guiding her team to a Class 6A state title. Mill Valley placed four runners in the top 15. 

In 6A boys action, SM Northwest's Asher Molina won the individual title, clocking 15:51 and Olathe North repeated as state champs with 51 points. 

The St. Thomas Aquinas boys scored 58 points, claiming the program's fifth consecutive 5A title. St. Thomas Aquinas senior Ethan Marshall led the way, winning his second straight title in 15:33. 

At Wamego Country Club, freshman Tanner Lindahl guided Buhler to a 4A boys team title, as he finished first in 16:18. Buhler had four runners in the top 20. 

The Baldwin girls repeated as state 3A champs, scoring 51 points and having all seven runners finish in the top seven. Individually, sophomore Taylor Briggs of Chapman won her second straight state title in 18:57. 

The St. Thomas Aquinas girls made it a program sweep once again, scoring 68 points to win the 5A title. Senior Olivia Sovereign was the top finisher for the team taking third. Individually, Sarah Murrow of Lenexa-St. James Academy won in 18:46. 

In 3A boys, senior Matthew Oglesby of Galena finished first in 15:59. Southeast of Saline won the team title with 83 points. 

Norton Community junior Lexi Kats captured the 3A crown, crossing first in 19:26. The Scott Community girls placed four in the top 25 to win the 3A title. 

Yates Center senior Hadley Splechter won the 2A title for the second year in a row, running 15:57. Richmond-Central Height won the team title with 58 points.

In girls 2A, Ellinwood scored 102 points to hold off Trego Community 110 points. Helen Giefer of Trego, placed first individually, running 19:30.  

In the closest battle of the day, the Wallace County boys barely held off St. John 42-43 to win the 1A crown. Colin Oswalt of Hutch-Central Christian won race in 16:37. 

The Lincoln girls scored the lowest points of the day, 16, en route to a 1A team championship. Lincoln went 1-2, with sophomore Jaycee Vath winning the race in 19:47. She was the only runner to go under 20 minutes. 

Team Champions

Class 6A Boys (Rim Rock) - Olathe North 51 points

Class 6A Girls (Rim Rock)- Mill Valley 41 points

Class 5A Boys (Rim Rock)- St. Thomas Aquinas 58 points

Class 5A Girls (Rim Rock) - St. James Academy 68 points
Class 4A Boys (Wamego) - Buhler 47 points

Class 4A Girls (Wamego) - Baldwin 51 points

Class 3A Boys (Rim Rock) - Southeast of Saline 83 points

Class 3A Girls (Rim Rock) - Scott Community 59 points

Class 2A Boys (Wamego) - Richmond-Central Height 58 points

Class 2A Girls (Wamego) - Ellinwood 102 points

Class 1A Boys (Wamego) - Wallace County 42 points

Class 1A Girls (Wamego) - Lincoln 16 points