By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Expectations are usually high for the Great Bend High School cross country teams. With a full roster of Lady Panthers back from last year's team that finished fifth at state - and a few new faces in the mix - those expectations will remain high for the 2023 season.
"We didn't lose anybody and we're going to add Makenzie Premer for a few meets," said coach Lyles Lashley. "She's right in there with a pack of girls right out of the chute. She should help us a bunch."
The roster includes two all-state returners in junior Marissa Boone, an eighth-place finisher at state, and senior Addy Nicholson, who ran 15th at state. Senior Eliana Beckham and sophomore Sienna Smith also had top-50 finishes at Rim Rock, and senior Morgan Beckwith and junior Kate Welcher also return.
"They had a really good summer," Lashley said. "Morgan, especially, had a really good summer. She's back to where she was a few years back."
Freshman Teegan Guerra makes the switch to cross country after playing soccer this summer. She's joined by classmates Bella Long and Teah King.
"We should have 10 solid girls, which will really help our depth," said Lashley. "Every day you're competing against each other for a varsity spot. That adds to the competitiveness. You have to bring your 'A' game every day."
Three private schools took the top-three spots at state last October, and Topeka Seaman finished fourth. Just three of last year's top 22 runners at state have graduated, including Seaman's Bethany Druse and Kapaun's Addie Curtis. St. James, with all runners back, is expected to be one of the top teams across all classifications this fall.
"Our goal is to try to run with them," Lashley said. "Each day we're talking about it and trying to make the effort to get there. Obviously, the goal down the road is to get a team trophy, but we'd like to make a run at them."
Esfeld graduates after decorated career
While the Lady Panthers return a full roster of runners, the Panther boys lose a staple in Kaiden Esfeld, who set a Lake Barton Course record early in the season and went on to finish 11th at state.
Great Bend will have a full team of runners, however. Sophomore Tavon Stroup and seniors Braylon Moore and Brayden Suppes all return with varsity experience. Senior Alex Galindo has run at the state track meet and will be a nice addition to the cross country team this fall. Sophomore Ismael Ramirez will run in several meets, and Lashley gets two incoming freshmen in Parker Coleman and Anthony Lawrence.
"We have seven strong," said Lashley. "Just a nice, solid group of guys. We're looking forward to it. A lot of them had good summers. They showed up a lot so that should help them. We're looking forward to seeing what they can do."
The Panthers host 19 schools at Lake Barton on Aug. 31. The meet will feature 13 schools in the large classification, including Bishop Carroll, Maize, and Liberal. Six schools from smaller classifications will compete in the other race.