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Cross country clinches home quad

By Shawn Linenberger - | Sep 11, 2002

At one point during last Thursday’s Tonganoxie Quadrangular, it appeared lightning would postpone the cross country meet.

The Tonganoxie High boys team was delighted it did not.

Although four schools were represented, only two Tonganoxie and Kansas City Christian fielded full teams.

But with a rainbow forming to the east before the boys varsity race, the Chieftains’ fortunes would be plenty.

Tonganoxie won the meet by a narrow 26-29 margin against the defending 2A champions. Last year, Tonganoxie had a 25-30 advantage against the Panthers.

“We beat KC Christian, which is super,” THS coach Phil Williams said.

KCC’s Phillip Brandon won the meet with a 16:47 time, while THS senior Tony Aligo was second at 17:03. Chieftain senior Kyle Norris placed third at 17:12.

Kansas City Christian’s four other team scores came in the top 10 Jeff Ford (fourth), Joseph VanMilligan (seventh), John Simon (eighth) and Andy Nichols (ninth).

Kyle Norris took third, Tommy Powell fourth, Corey Brest fifth and Levi Huseman 10th.

“I think Kyle and Levi were disappointed with their times, but Corey Brest ran well as a freshman,” Williams said.

For the girls, Tonganoxie went uncontested for the team title. Basehor-Linwood, Lansing and KC Christian did not field full teams for the event.

Like last year, Laura Korb led the Chieftains in first. She had a 13:15 time. Elizabeth Smith placed second (14:12) and Kelley Stauch nabbed third (14:13). Other Chieftains finishing in the 11-runner field were No. 5 Heather Helm (14:39), No. 6 Michelle McWIlliams (14:39.4) and No. 8 Janelle McCoy (15:11).

“Our girls ran real well,” Williams said. “I was not surprised by the team finish.”

Tonganoxie will face a larger field Thursday when they head to Atchison for the Maur Hill Invitational.

The boys won last year’s Maur Hill meet; the girls finished in fourth.