WICHITA, Kan.—
The Kapaun Mt. Carmel varsity cross-country team traveled to Lawrence Oct. 29 for the Rim Rock state competition. The girls’ team entered with only four members, but the boys’ team entered as a complete team, placing third.“The guys finished third, right behind Bishop Carroll and St. Thomas Aquinas,” coach John Kornelson said. “I thought we might have a chance at second because our team is so similar to St. Thomas Aquinas, but we finished the year well and I was certainly happy.”
Kornelson said although beating BC and placing first would have been nice, it is more important to set attainable goals and meet them.
“I’ve always felt as a coach that you need to go into a competition and do what you planned to do,” Kornelson said. “Our team did that. The guys stepped up and ran extremely well.”
Donated to the University of Kansas by former coach Bob Timmons, the course at Rim Rock is specifically designed for cross-country runners, traveling a scenic path compete with hills and two covered bridges.
“The course as a whole is very hilly, but the hilliest parts are towards the end,” Ayres said. “This really makes that final mile a mental challenge.”
Despite this mental challenge, three KMC boys finished the competition as All-state runners, meaning they placed in the top 20. Senior Matt Ayres placed 14th, sophomore Nolan Hesse placed 16th and junior Henry Moore placed 20th. Since Ayres does not plan to run competitively in college next year, he said this last meet was important.
“I think as a team we made great progress,” Ayres said. “[Coach] JK was pleased with our performance and happy that we’ve started laying the foundation for the program’s future.”
