By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Few prep runners around Kansas have a resume like Great Bend High School's Makenzie Premer. The senior has excelled in both the short and mid-distance events on the track, and she made her cross country debut in standout fashion this fall. Friday morning, she signed a letter of intent to continue her running career at Fort Hays State University next year.
This fall made Premer a rare four-sport athlete at GBHS as she also competes on the Lady Panther volleyball and basketball teams. A perennial top-10 hurdler in all of Kansas, Premer is a three-time state runner-up in the 300m event. She's also a two-time state medalist in the high hurdles. Premer was a member of the state champion 4x400m relay team in 2022, and she won another state medal in the event last year. She was also a member of the 4x100m relay team that placed third at state in 2022 and broke a school record. Last year, she earned a new medal on the 4x800m team. Premer's points have helped Great Bend to second and third-place team finishes over the last two years.
This fall, Premer set a then-school record 19:22 at her first appearance at Rim Rock Farm. She ran third at the regional meet at Lake Barton, then placed 75th at her first state cross country meet.
Makenzie is the daughter of Chad and Amanda Premer. She plans to continue her running career and study pre-medicine. She remained in-state so she can make it back home to cheer on brothers Ian and Alec at GBHS.