Chieftain cross country opens season at USM triangular
Shawn F. Linenberger/Staff
Tonganoxie High's Chamberlain Albert runs Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, at a triangular against Lansing and Leavenworth on the University of Saint Mary campus in Leavenworth.Tonganoxie High cross country teams both placed second at the first competition of the year Saturday with a triangular against Lansing and Leavenworth on the University of Saint Mary campus in Leavenworth.
On the boys side, Leavenworth won the meet with 47, while THS was second with 44 and Lansing third with 51. Carter Welsh, Elijah Weatherford and Chamberlain Albert went 5-6-7 in the race for the Chieftains.
Lansing won the girls race with 31. Tonganoxie had 47 and Leavenworth 78. The girls did a good job of pack running as well, as Bobbi Vaughn, Brooke Nihart and Audriana Trumble wen 7-8-9. Abby Burkhart, Elizabeth Howlett and Gabriela Garza went 11-12-13, so THS nearly had six runners finish together.
THS coach John Tollefson said the team got off to a good start at USM.
“We have reduced numbers this season (26 runners total), but a good core of returning runners and some good additions,” Tollefson said. “The runners have been working hard. We have good varsity packs on both the boys and girls side.
“It will be a fun season,” he said.
Next up for THS is the Wamego Invitational. It starts at 8:30 a.m. Saturday in Wamego. Roughly 70 teams will be competing in Wamego in various divisions.
Boys
5. Carter Welsh, 18:45.8; 6. Elijah Weatherford, 20:29.6; 7. Albert Chamberlain, 21:11.9; 9. Kolton Hoffines, 21:21.5; 16. Joseph Dean, 24:49; 17. Mamontov Yan, 25:06.3; 23. Taylor Maslak, 28:17.2; 27. Keigan Culbertson, 29:16.2;.
Girls
7. Bobbi Vaughn, 24:23.4; 8. Brooke Nihart, 24:39.4; 9. Audrianna Trumble, 24:57.1; 11. Abby Burkart, 25:20.4; 12. Elizabeth Howlett, 25:44.6; 13. Gabriela Garza, 26:20; 14. Lillian Sanders, 26:31.6; 23. Gabby Miller, 29:11.2; 24. Lillian McGuire, 29:18.5; 25. Natalie Rogers, 29:23.4.