The rain paused long enough for the Southeast High School Cross Country team to compete at the State Cross Country meet on Saturday, Oct. 31. Cloud coverage over the Wamego Country Club allowed runners to finish their season in perfect fall conditions.

The boys team, having qualified for only the fifth time in school history, finished 11th in the 12-team race.

“I’m a bit disappointed there because I really believed we could have finished eighth or ninth,” Coach Julie Jones said, “but our main goal this season was to qualify a team, and we did just that. Hard to stay down too long when you think about all this team has accomplished.”

Tucker Sutton lead the way for the Lancers with a 21st place finish in a time of 17:47. He missed medaling by less than a second. The junior raced in his third State meet of his career, but it was the first time he’d ran that course. Due to construction around the golf course, the route had been changed. The “Triplets”, as the three intimidating hills are called, were no longer in the first mile. Runners had to switchback up and down them just shy of the two-mile mark.

Hudson Locke placed eighth at Regionals to technically qualify individually, but he was excited for his team. At State, he completed the course in 18:38 to finish in 58th place.

James Maxton came next in 67th place with a career best time of 18:56. According to Coach Jones, he has been a great addition to the team and has improved all season.

“The course wasn’t as difficult as I was assuming, and the rain only affected my running a little bit,” the sophomore said. “The part I was happiest with was setting a new personal record by several seconds. I hadn’t been able to get near that time since before League.”

Chris Archey was another who qualified individually with a ninth place finish at Regionals. The junior completed the tough Wamego course in a time of 19:17 to finish 78th.

Henry Burns, who was instrumental in the team’s qualification, had another great race, as he finished in 22:51 for 107th place. The senior had not ran in the 22’s all season.

Journee Rimmer was the lone female to race for the Lancers. She ran a strong race at Regionals to take the final individual qualifying spot. At Wamego, she finished 74th in a time of 23:57.

“It wasn’t the best course to run on, but I don’t think it was as bad as it could’ve been,” the senior said. “I’m happy with my race, and I’m happy with how I finished my career, mostly because I was able to make it so far. I’m very proud of myself.”

Coach Jones reiterated the same thoughts. “Her story is the inspirational kind – she battles through some health situations only to overcome them, prove her coach wrong, and finish in a way that leaves no doubt she gave it her all.”

With such small numbers this year, the team graduates 40% of the runners.

“Henry, Hudson, Journee, and Jackie [Robinson] should be proud. I know I’m proud of them. They literally left a historical mark on Southeast Cross Country.”