Running at the Cat Classic last Thursday at Shawnee Mission Park, the Chieftain boys team placed second behind state powerhouse Kansas City Christian, while the girls team placed fourth behind Olathe Northwest, Mill Valley and Pembroke Hill.

Chris Price and Colin Perkins both finished in the top 10 for Tonganoxie in the boys race, Price in ninth with a time of 17 minutes, 21 seconds and Perkins in 10th with a 17:35 time.

David Powell finished in 20th with an 18:04 time, while Justin Smith was close behind in 22nd (18:06). Dalton Lawson, meanwhile, placed 25th (18:13). Those top five Tonganoxie runners all earned medals in a race that included 54 runners.

In the girls meet, Andie Jeannin was Tonganoxie’s top runner with a 10th-place finish (16:54), while Addy Phelps finished 18th (17:43) and Christy Weller 19th (17:47). Kayla Leffert also earned a medal for THS with a 29th-place finish and 18:12 time.

THS coach Phil Williams said he was encouraged by both teams’ efforts at the Cat Classic, especially because the No. 1 runners for both teams weren’t at full strength.

Christy Weller had been fighting illness throughout the week and did not finish as high as she normally does. Matt Brock, meanwhile, started the boys race, but pulled out a half-mile into the meet because of a strained calf muscle that has bothered him since the Rim Rock Invitational on Sept. 30.

“And to get second in a meet like that with so many 5A schools, is quite an accomplishment,” Williams said.

The schedule has progressed well for the Chieftains, according to Williams. The team’s first large race was its home invitational, which led into Rim Rock, which preceded the Cat Classic, another competitive meet.

“I thought it was a good way to lead up to league, definitely,” Williams said.

Williams looks for the THS boys team to have a shot at the league title, with Bonner Springs being another top team. He said having Brock healthy certainly would improve Tonganoxie’s chances. Brock also could challenge for the individual title after taking second last year.

On the girls side, Williams expects Mill Valley to take the crown, with Tonganoxie and Basehor-Linwood battling for second.

“I think our girls are ready to run well, at least second,” Williams said.

Thursday’s race times will be: junior varsity girls at 4 p.m., junior varsity boys at 4:30 p.m., varsity girls at 5 p.m. and varsity boys at 5:30 p.m.

BOYS

Team scores

1. Kansas City Christian, 40; 2. Tonganoxie, 73; 3. Olathe North, 86; 4. Pembroke Hill, 95; 5. Mill Valley, 102; 6. Paola, 117; 7. Maranatha, 174; 8. St. James, 229. Turner and Olathe Northwest did not field full teams.

Individual THS results

9. Chris Price, 17:21; 10. Colin Perkins, 17:35; 20. David Powell, 18:04; 22. Justin Smith, 18:06; 25. Dalton Lawson, 18:13; 34. Time Beeman, 18:29.

Junior varsity

3. Pat Holton, 18:41; 4. Michael Shaw, 18:44; 6. John Davis, 18:55; 14. Kazy Fukuyasu, 19:32; 16. Robert Brotherton, 19:41; 30. Kavet Letourneau, 20:48; 34. Matt Titterington, 21:04; 38. Caleb Iamkui, 21:13; 39. Cooper Gish, 21:14; 42. Ryan Stockman, 21:23; 57. Tyson Letourneau, 23:26.

GIRLS

Team scores

1. Olathe Northwest, 29; 2. Mill Valley, 79; 3. Pembroke Hill, 93; 4. Tonganoxie, 110; 5. Maranatha, 128; 6. Paola, 128; 7. Kansas City Christian, 186; 8. St. James, 189. Turner and Olathe North did not field full teams.

Individual THS results

10. Andie Jeannin, 16:54; 18. Addy Phelps, 17:43; 19. Christy Weller, 17:47; 29. Kayla Leffert, 18:12; 34. Kaitlyn Saathoff, 18:29; 39. Katie Chenoweth, 18:48; 40. Jen Wagner, 18:49.

Junior varsity

5. Kezia Huseman, 19:14; 6. Terri Downs, 19:15; 8. Ann Erickson, 19:49; 14. Melissa Hughes, 24:01; 17. Emily Hughes, 21:29; 19. Madi Yates, 21:45; 20. Cally Owsley, 22:02; 25. Krista Jobst, 22:58.