Three Gardner Edgerton High School cross country runners are headed to the KSHSAA 6A State Cross Country Championships following strong performances at the regional meet. Emily Karlin, Libby Hibit, and Jackson Fry each earned a spot at state and will represent the Trailblazers on Saturday, October 31, at Rim Rock Farm in Lawrence.
Karlin finished 7th in the girls' race, overcoming a recent illness to qualify for state. Hibit, a freshman, placed 14th with a one-second personal record, continuing an impressive first season as a Trailblazer. On the boys' side, Fry delivered an outstanding performance, finishing 6th after leading the race for more than half the course.
Both GEHS teams battled through competitive regional races. The girls finished 4th, just 18 points behind Olathe North, with several runners recording personal or season-best times. The boys placed 6th in a tightly contested field, finishing just one point out of 5th place. While the teams narrowly missed qualifying for state together, their performances reflected a season of determination. With many runners returning next year, the future looks bright for Trailblazer cross country.
Congratulations to Emily, Libby, and Jackson on qualifying for state! Best of luck as you represent Gardner Edgerton!