Over the summer, both teams trained hard at local trails and even went to a camp at the University of Wisconsin. All that training, along with a big focus on teamwork and mental toughness, really paid off with the Washburn Rural’s cross country teams having an amazing season full of big accomplishments.

The girls team won the Topeka City Meet, took runner-up at the Centennial League and Regional Meets, and finished seventh at State. Coach Swedlund said the girls team also had great leadership. “Emily Graf and Kenzie Maddox were great leaders, helping guide a young varsity team made up mostly of freshmen and sophomores who really stepped up this year.”

The boys team also had a season to remember, winning the City and League Meets, finishing second at Regionals, and then taking home the State Championship with a one-point win over Blue Valley. Coach Swedlund was proud of the leadership and teamwork shown by the boys team. Swedlund said, “Seniors Brooks Kehoe and Wyatt Shorb helped lead the way for a team that included five sophomores.”