The Chieftains were scheduled to run at the Mill Valley meet on Thursday but a lot of rainfall that day led coach Phil Williams to keep the runners away.

The meet still took place but Williams elected not to participate given the team’s recent struggles with illness.

“We have kids trying to get over being sick, and I didn’t think running in those conditions would do us any good,” Williams said. “Plus, there’s always an increased chance of injury on a slick course.”

The coach said he had the postseason in mind when he made the decision.

“With league and regional coming up it didn’t make any sense to me to put them through that,” Williams said.

On Thursday, the Chieftains will compete in the Kaw Valley League championship races at Mill Valley. On Oct. 24, THS will be one of 15 schools competing for a chance to qualify for state at a Class 4A regional at Wyandotte County Park.