The Manhattan High cross country team opened its season on the familiar hills of Warner Park on Saturday. 

The Varsity boys averaged a time of 18:09 over five kilometers, leading to a second place finish. The girls varsity team took third place, clocking an average time of 22:18. Seniors led the charge for both teams, with Kolby Grogg finishing 14th overall and Saylor Salmans taking 11th. 

“I think the goal was just to get all the nerves out because it was our first meet, and because on the girls side and the boys side we have a lot of first-time varsity runners,” Salmans said. 

The boys and girls J.V. teams, as well as the boys C team, earned gold in the team awards. 

According to Salmans, the team prepared for the home opener with tough hill workouts at Warner Park. 

“I think there’s definitely an advantage [to a home meet] because we know what to expect and we’ve run the course and we’ve been practicing the course,” Salmans said. 

Regardless of the challenging terrain, Grogg said that the runners enjoyed the opportunity to race in Manhattan. 

“It’s hard to enjoy racing at Warner because the hills, switchbacks and dips make it one of the hardest courses of the season,” Grogg said. “But running with the team and getting to see friends and family there does make it fun.”

The cross country team will next toe the starting line at the Emporia Invitational on Sept. 10.