Brenden Mannion, Jayden Deister, BHS Sports Writing
Buhler, KS - The Buhler High School boys cross country team kicked the season off at their first meet in Great Bend on September 5, 2024. Let's recap:
Buhler placed 3rd out of 22 schools in the boys 2 mile race and 6th in the 5,000-meter race.
Varsity runners placed as follows (in top 15):
Freshman Zayden Mendenhall placed 2nd in the 2 mile race with a time of 13:21.88. Freshman Graham McCarty finished 8th in the boys 2 mile race with a time of 13:40.76. Sophomore Gavin Lindahl placed 13th in the boys 5000-meter race with a time of 16:58.46.
As is expected, most runners have already set their personal goals to push for this season.
“I haven’t noticed any improvements yet because I was sick for the first meet, but I feel physically better than I did last season,” said senior Kai Mendenhall.
Mendenhall also said that his goal for the season was to run a 15:59 5k.
“I'm focusing a lot on pace and trying to stay under a certain pace in some workouts,” Mendenhall said.
In the 2023 4A State Championship meet Buhler finished with five runners finishing in the top 15 and their 5000-meter team took first running with grit and a chip on their shoulder after finishing as runners-up in the 2022 4A State Championship.
With the defending 4A State Champions chasing that back-to-back state title, this season is one to watch.
Crusaders ran last weekend at Wamego and hosted their home meet Thursday, September 19.
Picture provided by Buhler XC. Kai Mendenhall eyes the finish line at the Great Bend Invitational.