Senior Cross Country Final Home Meet

October 01, 2025

As the cross country team prepares for Thursday’s home meet, senior runners are reflecting on their favorite memories, lessons learned, and the moments that made their seasons unforgettable.

For many, the highlights stretched far beyond the finish line. Hannah pointed to competing at state meets, while Wyatt recalled last year’s state race: “After I ran the rain started pouring, and I went back to the van—ate Russell Stover’s chocolates and cheered on the girls!” Broxton remembered hanging out with teammates after practice at Mini Mart or More Than Coffee, and Ethan shared the story of “getting lost in Colorado in the mountains my freshman year.” Josh remembered crashing his bike in the early morning darkness, while Ben’s favorite moment came during the summer trip before his junior year. Stephany said she’ll never forget when a server at Buffalo Wild Wings asked her teammate Chaz what sauce he wanted for his wings, and he answered, “marinara.” Emma cherished placing at state as a freshman, Taegin recalled the pride of her first meet, and Cadyn remembered his first junior-year race when Coach K. yelled at him for walking.

Practices, too, held meaning. For some, it was about improvement—Broxton said simply, “improving,” while Ben noted “seeing ourselves improve.” For others, the best part was the friendships. Hannah, Ethan, Stephany, Emma, and Cadyn all pointed to being with teammates, while Josh loved the “feeling you get after a hard workout.” Wyatt added that “usually something funny happens,” while Taegin said her favorite part was “hanging out with Ethan.”

Pre-race meals varied, but pasta was a team favorite. Hannah swore by chicken alfredo, while Wyatt, Broxton, Ethan, Stephany, and Emma all said pasta the night before a race helped fuel them. Josh eats a pre-race granola bar, Ben prefers his “Go Bar,” Taegin fueled up with energy waffles, and Cadyn admitted he ate “just whatever.”

When offering advice to younger runners, the seniors showed how much they’ve grown. Hannah encouraged setting goals high: “You will get to them eventually—don’t underestimate yourself.” Wyatt reminded runners that “if your season is going slow, there is always room for improvement.” Broxton stressed that “hard work beats talent,” while Ethan, Ben, Stephany, and Emma all decided on a version of “don’t give up.” Josh offered a practical reminder to “get sleep and drink a lot of water,” Taegin advised, “keep showing up—even if you don’t want to—it gets better,” and Cadyn summed it up with: “be grateful for the opportunity.”

The runners also shared their favorite courses. Lakin was the overwhelming choice, praised by Wyatt, Broxton, Ethan, Josh, Ben, and Stephany as fast, flat, and perfect for personal records. Hannah chose Wamego for its adrenaline and smooth grass, while Emma liked Tribune, calling it “in the middle of nowhere but always a good race.” Taegin preferred the flat course at Great Bend, while Cadyn loved the state meet at Wamego for its energy, big crowds, and even the rain.

Good luck at your meet on Thursday! Thank you for all the effort over the years!