Peter Neidhart won't feel like a lone wolf, even though he is the lone member of the Dodge City HIgh School boys' cross country team to qualify for the Class 6A state championships on Saturday.
After all, Neidhart, a senior, isn't venturing into uncharted territory. The state meet will be held on the rolling hills of Rim Rock Farm just outside of Lawrence, the big stage Neidhart has competed on in each of the last three seasons.
"This is his fourth year going to state," DCHS coach Buc Bolmer said of Neidhart, who qualified as part of the Red Demons team during his freshman and sophomore campaigns. Neidhart also qualified as an individual last year, but he didn't medal.
"He's put in the work and the effort. I think he has the heart and desire to get it done, and we just hope that he can."
Neidhart qualified for the state meet by virtue of finishing eighth in the regional meet last Saturday at Dodge City's Mariah Hills, which draws parallels of Rim Rock Farm.
Without question, Neidhart would like to finish his prep cross country career by finishing in the top 20 to medal.
"I think that is something that he has really and truly concentrated on doing all season," Bolmer said of Neidhart, "to medal at state. He has the desire to do it. If he has to fall down at the finish line, he'll fall down at the finish."
"It's a tough course," Bulmer said of Rim Rock, "but I think Mariah Hills, where regionals was last week, you get no breaks on Mariah Hills, up-and-down.
"On Rim Rock, you have a couple spots on the course where you can regain your composure. I think running at Mariah Hills last weekend will help (Neidhart)."
DODGE CITY —
