The cross country team traveled to Topeka on Saturday, Oct. 22 to compete at Regionals. The team ran their best regionals race in school history as the boys team placed first out of five teams and the girls team placed second out of four teams.

The girls varsity team earned their first trip to state in three years. The team was led by senior Kati Strickland who placed third with a time of 16:53, her fastest race of the year. Following Strickland was sophomore Holly Peterman who placed fourth and ran a personal best of 17:10. Trailing Peterman were sophomores Mariah Kalma, Amanda Curtright, and Bailey Parke who all placed in the top 20.

The boys varsity team ran a spectacular race as they earned their first ever regional championship. Winning the regional meet was senior Connor Mehalovich with a personal record of 17:01. Close behind Mehalovich was sophomore Landon Scott who ran a 17:33 and placed third. Junior Chris Gillespie followed with a 17:49, earning him a medalist honor along with Mehalovich and Scott. Gillespie and junior Andrew Eigsti were in the top 15, as well as sophomore Bobby Hellon who ran a 18:15.

“I was proud of the Mill Valley super squad,” Hellon said. “Even though we had a big time gap, Mehalovich was there to carry our team.”

The team next competes at state which will take place at Rim Rock Farm in Lawrence. The boys race is at 10:30 a.m. and the girls will run at 12 p.m.