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Rupe v. Miller v. Shultz & BV Southwest v. Spring Hill v. Kapaun Mt. Carmel
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After winning the Emporia Invitational in dominating fashion in September, Kapaun Mt. Carmel's Daniel Enriquez remains the lone 5A runner 15:00 and has won five out of his six races this season. However, his only loss came on the state championship course, and the junior finished behind four 5A runners: Logan Beckman, Elijah Chavez, Alex Roberts, Calen George.
Since that lone loss, Enriquez hasn't looked back and has put together a nice little win streak. Even with the momentum back on his side, Enriquez is in the midst of one of the most competitive fields we've seen in a very long time. Spring Hill's Beckman ran 15:12 in September, while Topeka-Seaman's Brody Anderson and Blue Valley Southwest's Canyon Buehler joined him under 15:20.
Along with De Soto's Vance Krudwig, the individual title could truly go to anyone.
If any part of you thought that the team race would be any less chaotic, I've got some bad news for you.
It's anyone's title to win.
Whether it's Spring Hill, Blue Valley Southwest, or Kapaun Mt. Carmel, one of these three programs is going to cement themselves as legends.
If Blue Valley Southwest wins, they will have successfully notched the three-peat, and established themselves as one of the great dynasties of 5A, joining the likes of St. Thomas Aquinas and Bishop Carroll. If Spring Hill wins, it'll be their first ever state title program history on either side, which would send their seniors off on the highest of notes.
If it's the Kapaun Mt. Carmel Crusaders who come out on top, it'll be their first title since 1981, marking the end of a 43-year championship drought.
Even though it's going to give fans an amazing race to cheer for, two of these deserving teams will have to stand and watch someone else with the trophy.
In the end, it's going to come down to who wants it the most.
It's truly anyone's race to win, and all three girls are more than capable of being the one to break the tape. For example, Topeka-Seaman's Ryin Miller has not lost this season, and already beat both Salina Central Mustangs head-to-head on the same course they're racing on tomorrow. Miller also ran the fastest time in state history, and is running with even more confidence than she was racing with in the spring.
On the other hand, Katelyn Rupe and Kaylie Shultz are the fastest duo in state history and are right there with Miller as true contenders. Although she finished third behind Miller and Shultz last time they all raced, Rupe is still the two-time defending champion and one of the best runners in the region. Shultz, her sophomore counterpart doesn't have as much experience as the two upperclassmen she'll face, but her closing speed and ability to keep her head down and race is keeping her in contention.
If it weren't for the rainy conditions that are expected, I would have predicted the first-ever sub-17 performance in the course's history, but even if it may not be as fast, the race itself is going to be legendary.
St. James is looking to secure their fifth title in six years, but both Kapaun Mt. Carmel and Bishop Carroll are going to give them a run for their money. The Golden Eagles are led by Gwen Sattler, while the Crusaders have Amelia Hermann up at the front.
Andover's Madelyn Wallace may not be up at the front jockeying for a state title, but the junior with a 17:54 5k best is slated for a top five finish.