Photo Credit: Submitted
- - -
Over the years, Kansas has had historically dominant cross country programs on the boy's side. From the Shawnee Mission Northwest dynasty that tallied 17 state titles in 19 years, or the St. Thomas Aquinas teams that put together an eight-year winning streak from 2014-2021, there have been star-studded programs to come out of the 'Sunflower State'.
Despite the success and seemingly endless amount of accolades collected by these two programs, there is one feat that neither were able to accomplish.
Coming out on top of the NXR Heartland Regional.
Granted, the Cougars came the closest anyone ever has before, finishing runner-up in 2004 and 2007. Since then, no boys teams have qualified for Nike Cross Nationals, marking what was a 17-year drought heading into this last weekend.
Well, you know how the saying goes. Nothing lasts forever.
For the first time in state history, a team out of Kansas came out on top in South Dakota.
Eight days removed from winning their first-ever state title, the Spring Hill Broncos made the roughly six-hour journey with championship aspirations.
It's safe to say that the boys did just that, taking down Sioux Falls Lincoln, 153-163. Led by senior Logan Beckman, the 5A state champs packed three runners into the top 30, with Beckman, Daghyn True, and Calen George crossing in 10th, 20th, and 34th.
Zachary Anderson and Jack Janovick filled out the top five runners for Spring Hill, both finishing in the top 135 runners.
At the end of the day, Sioux Falls Lincoln had no answer for the front-running Bronco trio, having to settle for second, still earning a spot on the starting line in Oregon.
Spring Hill is now the third Kansas program to qualify for NXN, joining Shawnee Mission Northwest and Olathe West, who have each sent two teams.
The boys won't be the only Kansas kids reaping the rewards of their dedication to the sport, as two of the fastest girls in state history are joining in on the fun. Topeka-Seaman's Ryin Miller and Salina Central's Katelyn Rupe finished third and fourth, comfortably punching their ticket to the big dance.
Miller, who finished runner-up to Rupe at the 5A State Championships the previous weekend, took down the North Carolina-bound senior in their third head-to-head matchup of the year, running 16:44.6 as Rupe crossed in 16:49.4, a new lifetime best.