By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
About twice a year, Lyles Lashley, cross country coach at Great Bend High School Cross, helps fill Lake Barton with runners from across the state. On Thursday, Sept. 5, the course just north of Great Bend will be packed a little more than usual with the season opener for the Panther teams and many others.
"We're looking at bringing in 25 teams this year," Lashley said. "We have some really big powerhouses. We've got the two best girls in the state coming from Salina Central. We picked up Junction City. Bishop Carroll is going to be there. 3A power Southeast of Saline is going to be there, along with Holcomb, who probably is the favorite on the boys' side in 3A this year."
A full day of action begins at 9 a.m. with the girls' varsity race, followed by the boys' varsity race at 9:30. Those will be followed by the junior varsity races, then a combined "C" team race. High school awards will be handed just shortly before noon, and the first middle school race is slated for 1 p.m.
"Twenty-five teams being here, then we have 16 middle school teams, so that's 41 teams, basically, that will be here in Great Bend that will be eating in Great Bend when they're done," said Lashley. "It'll be great for the community."
The lineups are stacked for this year's invitational. On the boys' side, Buhler has won five of the last Class 4A titles, including last year. The race will also feature last year's 4A individual champion in McPherson junior Caleb Muehler. Southeast of Saline won Class 3A boys' titles in 2018-2020, remaining a top-three finisher despite the rise of Wichita Trinity, winner of the last three titles. With Trinity's star power gone to graduation, Holcomb is a favorite to win the 3A title later this fall after winning the track and field championship last May.
The Lady Panthers finished second in Class 5A and lost some top runners to graduation but return two state medalists in senior Marissa Boone and junior Sienna Smith. Salina Central senior Katelyn Rupe and junior Kaylie Schulz return after running the only 5A sub-18 times at the state meet last year. The Southeast of Saline girls have won the last four Class 3A championships.
Volunteers are still needed for the Great Bend Invitational. Those interested in volunteering can contact Lashley by emailing lyles.lashley@usd428.net.