SHS Cross Country competes at Central Heights this Saturday, Oct. 25, for Regionals. Top 15 individuals qualify to State. On the girls side, Senior, Kendyl Renn is ranked 11th. For the boys, Senior Zayne Gabern is ranked 3rd, Sophomore Tucker Sutton is ranked 7th, Junior Hudson Locke is ranked 12th, and Sophomore Chris Archey is ranked 13th. The boy’s team could go individually, but they are currently ranked third behind Central Heights and Kansas City Christian. The girls race begins at 10:35a and the boys race begins at 11:45a. Good Luck Lancers!

Results from the TRL League Meet –

Laney Lawson started something special four years ago with the Southeast High School Cross Country program, and she had the opportunity to lead them again at the Three Rivers League meet.

Having recruited this year’s senior class back when they were just middle schoolers, she coached them as freshmen and sophomores before stepping down to spend more time with family.

“I really enjoyed having the opportunity to come out of retirement to coach these kids again in one last race, especially the seniors. Watching them grow from middle school track athletes to now makes my heart swell because they have improved so much!” Lawson said.

League was hosted at Central Heights, and it was reminiscent of the seniors’ freshman year when they raced there for Regionals. 

“They gave me everything they had out on the course, just as they did two years ago. I couldn’t be more proud!” she said.

Kendyl Renn lead the way for the girls with a sixth place finish in a time of 22:49. The senior earned All-League Honors with her top 10 finish. Journee Rimmer finished 15th in a time of 24:29. The junior had been ranked 17th going into the race. Jackie Robinson finished 17th in a time of 25:02 in a 16 mph headwind.

“The girls team went out and showed grit,” Lawson said. “They raced strong up the hills, which is a strength for them, and made moves when it counted, putting them in positions to be in the places they were hoping for.”

On the boys side, they raced a full team, with their sights set on a League Championship. 

“The boy went after a lofty goal. They chose to battle with the literal top team in 2A state and went toe-to-toe with them most of the race,” Lawson said.

Senior Zayne Gabern and sophomore Tucker Sutton earned All-League Honors with their 3rd place finish in 17:33 and 7th place finish in 18:26. Junior Hudson Locke came in next at 15th place in 19:20; sophomore Chris Archey was 22nd in 20 flat; sophomore Kayden Utley was 31st in 21:49; junior Henry Burns finished 33rd in 22:37; senior Michael Smith was 38th in 23:39; and senior Ryan Sossman was 39th in 23:55.

“It’s hard to battle the best team in the state on any course, but when it’s their home course, you know you’re in for a dog fight.”

And Coach Lawson appreciated their fight. While the scores read with Central Heights winning with 12 points and Southeast runner-up in 41 points, the race for the championship was closer than that showed. Several of the Lancers finished only seconds behind Central Heights runners.

 “The outcome might not have been what they had hoped, but the team chemistry and fight for each other was very evident. They went to war for each other, and it showed on the course.”

 Lawson will be there once again, running all around the course and cheering on her runners. 

📸s by Laney Lawson & Denise Burns