The Western Athletic Conference championships are over.
There is so much more on the line.
The Dodge City High School cross country teams are focused on qualifying for the Class 6A state meet via Saturday's regional meet at Dodge City's Mariah Hills.
"I'm really happy with our performance at WAC," DCHS girls coach Brian Lenz said. "This is something we have been looking forward to, and they are ready to run."
DCHS boys coach Buc Bolmer is also pleased with his team's performance at the conference meet.
"We were only seven points from second place," Bolmer said of the third-place finish. "The boys ran good, and I was very happy with the result."
The hills at Mariah Hills will be no problem for the Demons as both Lenz and Bolmer have run their kids at the course in preparation for the regional meet..
"I think a lot of people just expect Western Kansas to be flat," Bolmer said. "But I don't think they've looked at Dodge City. A lot of courses we've run at are much flatter than Mariah Hills.
"I think we've definitely got an advantage."
Both coaches will be looking to their top runners to lead the way, but they also need the rest of the team members to put forth a total effort.
The top-3 teams at the regional meet are guaranteed a spot at state, as well as the top 10 individuals. In addition, there are five individual spots for individuals whose teams aren't in the top-3 qualifying spots.
“I think regionals is going to be a great race,” DCHS senior Maria Schmidt said. “It’s going to be tough, and we are going to be ready to win. I believe the team is pretty prepared.”
Lenz said his team is both mentally and physically ready to run, and Bolmer said that his team understands they need to have their best performance of the year.
“For regionals, I’m pretty excited,” said Estefania Ruiz of the Demons. “I know it is going to be tough and cold, but as long as we keep strong, I think we can do it. We have to keep our name up, and can’t let anyone down.”
On the boys side, Bolmer said that Haysville-Campus is a top competitor, but that second through fifth are anyone’s guess.
Both coaches believe the Demons have a shot at being a qualifying team.
“I am looking forward to the future,” Bolmer said. “I think the future of cross country is looking very bright, and we’ll start this weekend at regionals.”
Girls Regional Competitors
Maria Schmidt
Lucero Botello
Rosie Botello
Jasmine Estrada
Erica Ramos
Jenny Delzeit
Estefania Ruiz
Boys Regional Competitors
Peter Neidhart
Fred Ruiz
Tevin Heiland
Eduardo Acosta
Spencer Barry
Austin Tiemeyer
Alex Jenkner
