Every point matters for state-bound cross country team

Amelia Knopp, Staff Writer

The Manhattan High School cross country team secured its spot in the State meet with a successful Regionals outing at Warner Park on Oct. 22. The varsity boys and girls squads both took third place, snagging the last State-qualifying spots in the team standings. 

The boys team finished just three points behind runner-up Washburn Rural. Sophomore Andrei Mazin was Manhattan’s front runner, crossing the finish line in a personal record of 17:09 and taking fourth place. 

“Our plan was just to get out quick but not too quick and let the other teams do the work in the first mile,” Mazin said. 

On the girls side, junior Haley Henningson led Manhattan, finishing in sixth place in 19:53. All seven of Manhattan’s runners finished before Junction City’s fourth runner, which was key in securing the deciding three points. 

“As is usual, every point may matter, and it sure turned out that way,” head coach Susan Melgares said. “Junction went out pretty hard, but our girls closed harder, which was a huge benefit.”

According to Henningson, earning a State-qualifying spot required strategic and mental preparation. 

“Mentally, I think we just wanted to stay positive and determined because we knew it would definitely be hard to place,” Henningson said. 

The cross country season will conclude at the 6A State meet at Rim Rock Farm in Lawrence on Oct. 29. The runners will aim to improve their performances, as this will be their second opportunity to race on the historic Rim Rock hills this season. 

“Our first and second miles were significantly faster than the third [earlier in the season],” Mazin said. “So we’re just trying to get our [boys] team to really push that third mile.”

Melgares will continue to emphasize confidence and fine tuning in the last week of practice before State. 

“We’re just getting our mindset ready to run fierce at the State meet and make some noise there,” Melgares said. “We always want to represent at the State meet but also have fun.”