KANSAS STATE MEET

Kapaun Mt. Carmel Wins 5A Boys Title In Dramatic Fashion, Girls Team Makes It A Long-Awaited Sweep

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

The 2025 Kansas State Cross Country Championships, held Saturday, November 1, showcased a blend of drama, dominance, and dynasty-building, as several programs etched their names deeper into history.

Rim Rock Farm | 6A, 5A, 3A

Years of near-misses ended in storybook fashion for Kapaun Mt. Carmel at the 5A state meet. The Crusaders won their first boys state title in 44 years by the slimmest of margins. Initially shown as runners-up to Blue Valley Southwest, a scoring correction revealed a 42–42 tie; the tiebreaker went to Kapaun, thanks to sophomore Kolbe Meyer, whose late surge placed him 12 spots ahead of Southwest’s sixth runner.

Kapaun’s Daniel Enriquez delivered the individual win in 15:12.42, the fastest time of the day and his first state title. He led a tight pack of teammates that included Will Etheredge (6th, 15:58), Cole Reintjes (10th, 16:15), Jack Sauer (11th, 16:16), and Koelton Erwin (19th, 16:26).

Moments later, the Kapaun girls matched the feat, winning their first team championship in 22 years with 58 points to Bishop Carroll’s 79. Sophomore Ava Claasen led the Crusaders in second (17:36), followed by Taylor Barringer (5th, 19:06), Maddyx Erwin (9th, 19:13), and Abigail Bird (13th, 19:21). It marked the first 5A program sweep since 2018. 

In 6A, Blue Valley’s Jacob D’Souza captured the individual crown in 15:42.5, but it was Washburn Rural that edged Blue Valley by a single point, 105–106, to secure the boys team title.

In the girls race, Charlotte Hardy, a junior from Shawnee Mission East, won in 18:23.50, helping her team to a runner-up finish. Manhattan claimed the team championship with 61 points.

Brody Deniston (Holcomb) won the boys 3A title in 15:45.83, while Southeast of Saline repeated as team champions with 57 points.

In the girls race, Tylee Coleman, a standout freshman from Trinity Academy, ran 18:27.06 to win by over a minute. Hesston successfully defended its team title, placing four in the top 22.

Wamego Country Club | 4A, 2A, 1A

Caleb Muehler of McPherson edged Wamego’s Peyton Parker at the line, 15:54.28 to 15:55.25, to win the boys title, while Wamego took home the team championship with 54 points.

Irelyn Kennedy of Baldwin won the girls race in 18:57.08. Buhler claimed the team trophy with 67 points, narrowly topping Wamego’s 72.

In 2A, Jacob Lindstrom of Trinity Catholic, Hutchinson, ran 16:26.21 to capture the individual championship, leading his team to the state title with 64 points, narrowly ahead of Kansas City Christian (68). 

In the girls race, Madison Howland of Smith Center claimed the individual win in 19:16.77, while Kansas City Christian earned the team crown with a balanced top-five pack.

Goessel’s Eli Gaeddert repeated as the 1A boys champion in 16:02.8, more than a minute faster than a year ago. Quinter ran to its second straight team title (62 points). 

The Boydston sisters of Ellis dominated the girls race, finishing 1–2: Avery (18:53.45) and Taryn (18:54.20). This was the second straight victory for Avery. Ness City won the team title with 44 points. 

Team Champions 

6A: Washburn Rural boys 105 points; Manhattan girls (61 pts)

5A: Kapaun Mt. Carmel boys 42 points, tiebreaker; Kapaun Mt. Carmel girls  58 points

4A: Wamego boys 54 points; Buhler girls 67 points

3A: Southeast of Saline boys 57 points; Hesston girls 64 points 

2A: Trinity Catholic boys 64 points; Kansas City Christian girls 68 points

1A: Quinter boys 62 points; Ness City girls 44 points