Sophomore Hattie Lukert pushes her way through the course at Rim Rock during the 3A State Meet on Saturday, October 27.

Senior Skylar McAfee maintains her speed during the 3A State Meet on Saturday, October 27, at Rim Rock.

Freshman Jadyn Dorn paces herself during the 3A State Meet on Saturday, October 27, at Rim Rock.

Sophomore Kenzie Meyer looks to pass this runner during the 3A State Meet on Saturday, October 27, at Rim Rock.

Senior Hunter Lowdermilk passes this Hiawatha runner during the 3A State Meet on Saturday, October 27, at Rim Rock.

Junior Madisen Cochran paces herself during the 3A State Meet on Saturday, October 27, at Rim Rock.

Ellen Glynn maintains her speed during the 3A State Meet on Saturday, October 27, Rick Rock.

Senior Henry Glynn makes his way through the course at Rim Rock during the 3A Boys’ State Meet on Saturday, October 27.

Sophomore Kaden Dillon works to pass this Norton Community runner during the 3A State Meet on Saturday, October 27, at Rim Rock.

Sophomore Spencer Strahm maintains his speed during the 3A State Meet on Saturday, October 27, at Rim Rock.

Sophomore Charlie Bestwick paces himseld during the 3A State race on Saturday, October 27, at Rim Rock.

Sophomore Braden Menold pushes himself during the 3A State Meet on Saturday, October 27, at Rim Rock.

Junior Micah Romines paces himself during the 3A State Meet on Saturday, October 27, at Rim Rock.

Sophomore Darrin Funk works to pass this Girard runner during the 3A State Meet on Saturday, October 27, at Rim Rock.

The 2018 Cross Country team gathers for a group photo at the 3A State Meet on Saturday, October 27, at Rim Rock. Pictured are FRONT ROW (L-R) Ellen Glynn, Hunter Lowdermilk, Hattie Lukert and Alice Zamarco; MIDDLE ROW (L-R) Kenzie Meyer, Skylar McAfee, Mahalie Allen, Jadyn Dorn, Madisen Cochran and Megan Meyer; BACK ROW (L-R) Braden Menold, Kaden Dillon, Darrin Funk, Charlie Bestwick, Spencer Strahm, Tyrese Bishop, Micah Romines, Paul Pearson and Blake Bowser.

The varsity cross country runners gather for a group photo after the 3A State Meet on Saturday, October 27, at Rim Rock. Pictured are FRONT ROW (L-R) Ellen Glynn, Hunter Lowdermilk and Hattie Lukert; MIDDLE ROW (L-R) Kenzie Meyer, Skylar McAfee, Jadyn Dorn and Madisen Cochran; BACK ROW (L-R) Braden Menold, Darrin Funk, Kaden Dillon, Henry Glynn, Charlie Bestwick, Spencer Strahm and Micah Romines.

The Bluejay harriers made the trek to Rim Rock Farms in Lawrence on Saturday, Oct. 27, for the 3A State Meet, after they qualified both girls’ and boys’ teams at the Regional competition the weekend before.

Girls

The Lady Jays placed seventh as a team with a score of 162. Other teams placings and scores are as follows: Scott Community, first, 59; Hays-TMP-Marian, second, 89; Clay Center Community, third, 106; Rock Creek, fourth, 108; Hiawatha, fifth, 157; West Franklin, sixth, 159; Cimarron, eighth, 173; Hugoton, ninth, 198; Osage City, 10th, 208; and Douglass, 11th, 213.

Sophomore Hattie Lukert led the Lady Jays and finished in 32nd placed with a time of 21 minutes, 53 seconds. She was followed by senior Skylar McAfee in 43rd place and a time of 22 minutes, 14 seconds. Freshman Jadyn Dorn finished in 50th, while sophomore Kenzie Meyer and senior Hunter Lowdermilk placed 55th and 82nd, respectively. Junior Madisen Cochran placed 94th and sophomore Ellen Glynn placed 97th.

Boys

The boys’ team placed 10th overall with a score of 192. Other teams placings and scores are as follows: Southeast of Saline, first, 83; Hugoton, second, 118; Smoky Valley, third, 123; Halstead, fourth, 124; Silver Lake, fifth, 134; Norton Community, sixth, 135; Burlington, seventh, 167; Hiawatha, eighth, 171; Girard, ninth, 186; Hesston, 11th, 206; and Osage City, 12th, 254.

Leading the Bluejays was senior Henry Glynn. He placed 21st and completed the race in 17 minutes, 34 seconds – 17 seconds faster than his time at last year’s State meet and 51 seconds quicker than earlier this season at Rim Rock. Glynn was followed by Kaden Dillon in 33rd with a time of 18 minutes, 2 seconds. Sophomore Spencer Strahm completed the race in 64th place, while sophomore Charlie Bestwick finished in 75th placed. Freshman Braden Menold completed the race in 83rd, while junior Micah Romines and sophomore Darrin Funk placed 91st and 98th, respectively.

With the 2018 Cross Country season completed, Head Coach Doug Leiker said the team accomplished its goal.

“Our team goal this year was to get better each day, and as their coach I thought we did exactly that,” he said. “We ran as one, worked as a team, and finished as a family. I felt like our team made new relationships every meet and worked on our relationships as a team, which helped us to become a family.”

Leiker said he is especially proud of the senior harriers.

“Our seniors did a great job with leadership this year,” he said. “I will miss the seniors, although I will have Megan, Skylar, Hunter, Alice, Henry and Sherzod in my heart forever. Way to go at State! Sabetha CC l am proud to be your coach.”