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Cross country: At regionals, it's time to perform or go home

Goal for MHS cross country is to reach state

Sports reporter

When sophomore Ryan Jones knocked nearly 30 seconds off his personal record Sept. 27 at Council Grove, he was ecstatic.

When junior Camille Christensen ran down the home stretch Sept. 29 at Marion County Park and Lake for a seventh-place finish and a crowd cheering her on, she said it felt unbelievable.

And when the entire team exceeded expectations by continually finishing in the top-five at every meet, head coach Bethany Carlson was proud of every runner.

None of that matters.

At least when it comes to qualifying for "The Race" — that being the 3A state meet Oct. 27 at Wamego.

Instead Jones, Christensen, and the rest of the Marion High School squad will have to perform well Saturday at the El Dorado regional for the chance to run one last time.

"We go about it the same," Carlson said of preparing her team for Saturday. "We might even be a little more relaxed."

However, nerves will be high Saturday for sure, because one mistake, and the season is over.

"It's going to be tough," Carlson.

That could be construed as somewhat of an understatement considering the girls have the second, third, fourth, and seventh ranked teams in the state in their regional.

The boys will be running against the first, second, and third ranked teams.

A fourth-place finish for the boys Thursday at the Mid-Central Activities Association is a good sign.

Sterling, number one in the state in 2A, and Hillsboro, fourth in 3A, finished ahead of the Warriors.

Like most of the year, they beat the teams they were supposed to beat.

"If they all improve, we will have a chance," Carlson said.

The Warriors will be in El Dorado Friday to watch former MHS cross country stars Danielle Cope of Cowley County Community College, and Gavin Moore of Butler County Community College, compete in a race.

They will then take a practice run on the course, so they won't run into any surprises Saturday.

To advance as a team, the Warriors must finish in the top-three. The top-10 individuals who are not a part of the top-three teams also will advance.

The gun will sound for the girls' race at 10:30 a.m., and the boys at 11.

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