Railer girls claim first trophy

The Newton High School girls’ cross country team finished off a stellar season with its first-ever trophy at the Class 5A state championships Saturday at Rim Rock Farm outside of Lawrence.

St. Thomas Aquinas won the team title with 44 points, followed by Bishop Carroll at 54 and Newton at 137.

“They didn’t get out as fast as they have been, but I’m not going to fault the effort,” Newton coach Richard Mick said. “They had a solid season. They have been a lot of fun to work with. This has been the most successful seasons they have ever had.”

Senior Erin Loeffler claimed a medal, taking 12th in 16:28.99. Junior Shannon Ahstedt missed a medal by one spot, taking 21st in 16:47.05. Senior Mallorie Coffman took 27th in 16:59.48.

Sophomore Laci McCartney took 44th. Freshman Ardys Woodward took 65th. Freshman Kelsi Langley took 80th. Sophomore Amy Kondziola took 84th. There were more than 100 runners in the race.

“It was muddy,” Loeffler said. “The race went good. I was really happy with it. I just wanted to medal. It was a hard course. I felt a lot better here (than the Rim Rock Classic at mid-season).”

“I know Mallorie is disappointed,” Mick said. “She’s had a great season all year. Mallorie and Erin have been our leaders all year. Erin Loeffler has been in the 20s twice at state, so to see her get a medal is a great accomplishment. Shannon finished in a pretty tough spot. We’re going to miss their leadership. They put in a lot of work in this program. ... Congratulations to the girls. Getting a state trophy was one of our goals coming into the meet and we’re proud of the fact that they were able to do that.”

The Railer boys took seventh. Bishop Carroll won with 42 points, followed by McPherson at 83 and Hutchinson at 94. Newton scored 183 points.

“Our boys had a great race today,” Mick said. “Laban (Lalouette) took 12th. That was one of our goals for the boys. He put himself in great position. He was as high as fourth or fifth. So were proud of him. The boys ran about as well as they could run. And they are very young. If they put in the work in track and in the summer, they have a lot of potential. Joel Gouvion had a great race as a senior. Joel and Dylan Koerner are our seniors. Those guys had solid seasons. We really appreciate their leadership.”

Sophomore Lalouette led the Railers, taking 12th in 17:01.74 to claim a medal. Junior Austin Lettau was 38th in 17:56.78. Senior Joel Gouvion was 43rd in 18:07.04. Sophomore Dilan Winter was 65th. Senior Dylan Koerner was 70th. Sophomore Jerek Shoemaker was 93rd. Freshman Cody Mick was 96th.

“There were a lot hills,” Lalouette said. “The scenery was beautiful. It gave me something to think about while running. At the end, there was a kid trying to pass me. I just kind of blew it out. I just went until they grabbed me. This felt more accomplished than regionals. There were a lot of quality runners. I was pushed the whole way.”

Lalouette said he kept winner Adam Porter of McPherson in site for the first mile. Lalouette is in his first year of cross country. He played football last year.

“I stopped growing my freshman year, so football wasn’t going to be in my future,” Lalouette said. “I ran track last year. We finished eighth at state (in the 4x800-meter relay), one spot shy of a medal. This really got me motivated. I’d like to win state some time. I’m going to work hard in the summer.”

Newton also loses senior Joe Kondziola, who was unable to run at state this year.

“We’re losing five seniors who have meant a great deal to our program,” Richard Mick said. “We wouldn’t have had so much success this season without their leadership. They will definitely be missed.”

Class 5A State

Cross Country

Saturday

at Rim Rock Farm

Newton results

m-medalist

GIRLS

Team scores — St. Thomas Aquinas 44, Bishop Carroll 54, Newton 137, Gardner-Edgerton 164, Lansing 167, Kapaun-Mt. Carmel 170, Great Bend 171, Pittsburg 182, Hutchinson 198, McPherson 225, Bishop Miege 253, Topeka Seaman 267.

Newton results — 12. Erin Loeffler 16:28.99-m, 21. Shannon Ahlstedt 16:47.05, 27. Mallorie Coffman 16:59.48, 44. Laci McCartney 17:31.56, 65. Ardys Woodward 18:00.67, 80. Kelsi Langley 18:44.96, 84. Amy Kondziola 18:52.48.

BOYS

Team scores — Bishop Carroll 42, McPherson 83, Hutchinson 94, St. Thomas Aquinas 119, Liberal 146, Kapaun-Mt. Carmel 173, Newton 183, Topeka West 208, Gardner-Edgerton 214, Mill Valley 223, Kansas City Turner 232, Topeka Seaman 281.

Newton results — 12. Laban Lalouette 17:01.74, 38. Austin Lettau 17:56.78, 43. Joel Gouvion 18:07.04, 65. Dilan Winter 18:31.31, 70. Dylan Koerner 18:45.38, 93. Jerek Shoemaker 19:53.54, 96. Cody Mick 19:59.30.