LAWRENCE — Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out.
That formula, backed by a season of handling pressure, practice and perseverance, was key for Manhattan High girls’ cross country to avoid any surprises on Halloween at Rim Rock Farm in Lawrence, as the top-ranked Indians claimed their second consecutive Class 6A state championship.
Manhattan head coach Susan Melgares used the same repetition as she awaited the official results Saturday. Then came her announcement to the team: “You all are back-to-back state champions.”
Pure jubilation followed.
“It’s surreal again,” Melgares said. “You see on the board that we’re in front, but that’s not something you just want to assume is going to be correct until you see the official results. With all the waiting, the suspense builds like the old days when I used to run.
“I’m just really thankful. The girls have had some battles this year, and though we have been undefeated, which is a huge testament to how tough these girls are, there have been bumps and ups and downs. They keep fighting through and rising above whatever comes at them.”
Manhattan recorded a team average of 19:00, scoring 66 points to edge Shawnee Mission East (76) and Blue Valley (80) for the championship.
“To see them come back again at this level and win another state title — something my dad always said: ‘Once you win a state title, they can’t take that away from you.’ And that’s the truth,” Melgares said. “It’s something very special, and I’m just so proud. I’m so proud of all their fight.”
The Manhattan girls were led by senior Gabrielle Converse, who capped her high school career with a third-place finish in 18:31.84. Converse left every ounce of energy on the course, collapsing after crossing the finish line before being lifted into the arms of her teammates.
“Just to get to that finish line today was one of the biggest victories she’s had, and I’m so proud,” Melgares said. “All the girls have, and the boys too, shown so much fierce determination and strength, and that was just a huge example. Just to get to that finish line and stay strong.”
Converse entered the day aiming for the top spot and battled to the finish with Shawnee Mission East’s Charlotte Hardy (first, 17:55.36) and Lyla Speicher (second, 18:16.45). Still, Converse cut 20 seconds off her third-place time at state last year.
“It wasn’t what I was looking for individually. I crossed the finish line after giving it everything I had and collapsed there,” Converse said. “I knew I wanted to lay it all out there, and whether that looked like laying it all out there and winning or getting third, I knew that I wasn’t going to leave here with anything left.
“But seeing my teammates after that race, knowing it was my last high school race as a team with them, it was a huge wave of emotions, and all of us were crying again. It was just a bittersweet feeling of knowing this was the last one.”
Right behind Converse was sophomore Zara Koehn, who finished fourth in 18:34.09, giving the Indians two runners in the top four and reinforcing the depth that carried Manhattan throughout the season.
“Zara’s been a rock,” Melgares said. “And that’s been another story of this season. If somebody has a day where they’re not quite running at 100%, which is still better than most people’s 100, we’ve got other kids just coming on, swarming in behind them, and that’s what we had today.”
Sophomore Isla Spreer placed 18th in 19:12.00, while junior Andie Strathman finished 20th in 19:18.95 to give the Indians four medalists. Junior Lauren Perry rounded out Manhattan’s scoring five with a 21st-place finish in 19:25.13.
Freshman Franci Irvine added a 24th-place finish in 19:37.39, and sophomore Allison Knopp placed 48th in 20:34.68.
“They had different battles to fight, and I’m so proud of each and every one of them, as well as all the people who gave us energy — our spirit crew, our parents, our fans and friends who came, and administrators who came to support us,” Melgares said. “I’m just very thankful, and thankful to the good Lord for helping get us through this.”
The Indians will return their entire lineup from the state meet next fall, outside of graduating Converse, setting up another year of high expectations.
“There is a tradition of excellence where they expect to come in here and do well, and it hasn’t always been that way in my time here,” Melgares said. “But these kids, they expect to come to Rim Rock and succeed, and so that sets us up really well for the future. A lot of youngins are coming back again. We’re thankful for that.”
But for now, the focus and flowers can remain on a special group that achieved back-to-back titles for the first time in girls team history. It was the girls program’s fifth team championship, joining the 2025, 2015, 1979 and 1977 teams.
Leading the group from start to finish was Converse, who arrived from Indiana last summer and found a family while becoming a catalyst for the program’s best two-year stretch in school history.
“When I first moved here, it was very stressful,” she said. “There was a lot of doubt, but this team has really transformed into a very important part of me. These girls are very special to me, and I really love them. It just means so much to me to see them every day and to have them be my best friends.”
Converse will end her two-year career in Manhattan with a school-record time of 17:29.7, set at this fall’s league meet in Topeka. Her three career times below the 18-minute mark are all program bests.
“I was the first girl at the school to break 18 minutes, and I know I’m not going to be the last,” Converse said. “Sometimes it just takes one person to make the push, and I’m very happy to be an influence on these girls. It’s a young group, but it’s a very hardworking, dedicated group. I know they’re going to do great things.”
As the Indians closed another historic season, their bond extended beyond the course. Gathering together after finishing their journey on the slick Kansas clay, Manhattan gave glory to the One who brought them there, huddling together in prayer.
“It’s very special to share a community of faith with my cross country team,” Converse said. “Before every race, we pray not for a victory or anything, but for strength, courage and humility, just to glorify the Lord with the gifts He’s given us.
“It’s a beautiful thing, what we get to do together and what we get to do through His gifts. It’s very powerful that we’re more than runners.”
Manhattan boys finish 4th
The Manhattan boys finished fourth with 108 points, just seven points behind third-place Blue Valley (101). Olathe West claimed the Class 6A boys team title with 83 points, edging Washburn Rural (84) by one point.
The fourth-place finish was Manhattan’s best since taking second in 2021, marking a three-spot improvement from last fall.
“They were seventh last year. We felt like we underachieved a little bit, and this year they’ve just been really fierce competitors and have run well as a pack,” Melgares said. “They came out and really ran tough today. We closed the gap on Blue Valley and Washburn Rural, who beat us pretty solidly when we came here midseason.”
Sophomore Jaxon Wheeler led the Indians with a 14th-place finish in 16:21.94, followed by senior Benjamin Huser in 25th in 16:40.52 and junior Kyler Grogg in 32nd in 16:46.06.
Wheeler was the lone Manhattan boys runner to earn a state medal, improving more than 40 spots from his freshman season, when he placed 59th in 17:16.
“He was unafraid last year when he came in as a freshman. He just brought it. He’s a very strong competitor,” Melgares said. “With a lot of talent, he’s not afraid to work hard and embrace his challenge. It’s great to see him take another step and bring home a state medal.”
Freshman Brecken Fabrizius placed 38th in 16:48.39, while sophomore Levi Gurgel finished 48th in 17:04.99 to round out Manhattan’s scoring five. Sophomore Benjamin Herzog took 57th in 17:12.58, and sophomore Carson Robinett finished 69th in 17:28.13.
Manhattan finished with a team average of 16:44 and a 43-second spread between its first and fifth runners, reflecting the pack running that impressed Melgares. The Indians also return a large young core next fall, with Huser the lone graduating senior.
Melgares said the combination of talent and work ethic gives the group a strong foundation moving forward.
“They’re not just talented runners,” she said. “They’ve got brave and courageous attitudes when it comes to racing, and that’s a great combination. When you’ve got talent, you’re willing to work hard and you’re a competitor’s competitor, it’s good stuff. They’ve got the tools.”