Manhattan High cross country took the next step in its strong season at the Centennial League Championships on Saturday, as the girls won another team title and the boys finished runner-up at Kanza Park in Topeka, hosted by Hayden.
The Manhattan girls scored 23 points to win the team championship for the second consecutive season, finishing 26 points ahead of second-place Washburn Rural.
The Indians placed six runners in the top 12, led by senior Gabrielle Converse, who won the individual title in 17:29.7 and broke her own school record again.
Sophomore Zara Koehn finished second in 18:42.7, giving Manhattan the top two individual finishers. Junior Andie Strathman placed fifth in 18:56.5, followed by sophomore Allison Knopp in sixth at 18:57.5.
Junior Lauren Perry finished ninth in 19:18.2, while sophomore Isla Spreer took 11th in 19:19.3. Freshman Franci Irvine placed 12th in 19:21.2, and senior Scarlett Williams finished 13th in 19:23.1.
The Manhattan boys finished second with 46 points, behind the reigning 6A state champion Washburn Rural’s 26. The Indians had four runners finish in the top 11, led by sophomore Jaxon Wheeler in fourth place in 15:59.9.
Senior Benjamin Huser placed seventh in 16:23.1, followed by freshman Brecken Fabrizius in 10th in 16:28.7 and junior Kyler Grogg in 11th in 16:33.7.
Sophomore Levi Gurgel finished 15th in 16:36.6, while sophomore Benjamin Herzog took 16th in 16:39.5. Sophomore Carson Robinett placed 22nd in 17:07.5, and junior Ethan Birkhead finished 23rd in 17:14.2.
Manhattan’s girls junior varsity team also swept the top 11 places, and the boys junior varsity team finished just three points behind Washburn Rural.
Manhattan will turn its attention to the postseason, hosting sub-state at Warner Park on Saturday, as the Indians look to carry their momentum into the final stretch. State will follow at Rim Rock Farm in Lawrence on Oct. 31.