By Huey Counts
A Southeast of Saline senior is Salina 311's Saline County Cross Country Boys Runner of the Year.
This isn't a surprise. The Trojans have claimed the top runner award after every season but two since the first year of all-county selections in 2018. Previous winners Luke Gleason, Dylan Sprecker and Levi Allen all went on to race for NCAA Division II programs.
Brayden Walker becomes the second Trojan to claim the award twice, joining former teammate Sprecker, who won in 2019 and 2021. He led his squad to the Class 3A championship this past season after four consecutive state runner-up finishes, and three of his teammates also made all-county. Salina Central has two representatives and Salina South one to round out the boys' team.
Claiming Girls Runner of the Year is Salina Central junior Kaylie Shultz, the 5A state champion. She is the third Mustang to be so honored. Former teammate Katelyn Rupe claimed the title after the 2022, 2023 and 2024 seasons, while Kadyn Cobb was crowned in 2018. Shultz is one of two Central runners on team, which also includes three Southeast runners and one from both South and Sacred Heart.
Team members were selected backed on their 2025 in-season 5-kilometer race results, regardless of classification, with a heavy importance on head-to-head matchups and finishes during the championship portion of their schedules.
GIRLS TEAM
Alina Arceo, Salina South, senior** - After a slow start to her final season, she ran strong down the stretch, placing eighth at AVCTL Division I (20:09.91) and ninth at 5A regionals (21:06.86). Her resume includes victories in each of her four races at the Hesston Invitational.
Piper Brown, Southeast, junior** - For a second consecutive season, she was the team's steadying force. She finished top five in her final five meets, capped off with a fifth at 3A state (19:57.72). She was first at Halstead (20:37.04) and second at the Salina Invitational (19:59.12).
Mia Hamilton, Sacred Heart, junior - She placed inside the top 10 in eight of her nine competitions, including victories at Abilene (21:56.51) and Bennington (21:37.07). She placed eighth at 2A regionals (22:07.38) and 32nd at state (21:28.57).
Anna Jackson, Southeast, junior** - It wasn't until midseason that she found her groove, but then she grabbed eighth at the Salina Invitational (20:58.64) and seventh at the NCAA League meet (21:50.82).
Raylin Jentrie, Salina Central, freshman - Her first season was very consistent as she ran under 22:00 in each of her eight races, including a personal best 20:28.15 to take 14th at the AVCTL Division II championship. Her top placing was ninth at Junction City (21:25.08).
Ava McGraw, Southeast, sophomore* - Fighting a nagging hip injury much of the season, she was still able to place in the top 15 in five races. She slipped under the 21-minute mark twice, taking 20th at Great Bend (20:47.30) and seventh at the Salina Invitational (20:58.04).
Kaylie Shultz, Salina Central, junior** - Eight races, eight victories, eight times running under 18 minutes. The season was smooth sailing for Shultz, who had dominating victories at both the prestigious Olathe Twilight (17:18.30) and 5A state championship (17:26.30). She ran a school-record 16:25.22 to win league.
BOYS TEAM
Luke Affholder, Salina Central, junior* - He settled in nicely as Central's No. 2 runner, dipping under 17 minutes twice late in the season, placing eighth at AVCTL-II (16:48.21) and 29th at 5A state (16:42.49).
Jacob Bircher, Southeast, senior** - He churned out one top 10 finish after another, taking fourth at Buhler (16:56.20) and Halstead (17:01.65) and fifth at the Salina Invitational (16:46.04). He closed out his career by placing 17th at 3A state (16:59.57).
Brooks Carlin, Southeast, sophomore - He and his twin brother, Zachary, held down the team's 3-4 spots with consistent work. His top clocking of 17:13.76 came along with his 25th placing at 3A state. His best placing was fourth at NCAA League (18:15.14).
Zachary Carlin, Southeast, sophomore - His second season culminated with a 20th-place effort and personal best time at 3A state (17:02.82). He had two top-10 races; sixth at league (18:19.41) and seventh at Halstead (17:21.72).
Liam Deniau-Young, Salina Central, senior*** - Last year's county runner of the year, he put together another impressive season, placing third at league (15:49.70) and 18th at 5A state (16:26.75). He snagged gold at Junction City (16:30.61) and regionals (16:43.79).
Elian Moreno, Salina South, senior - Six times he was able to place among the top 10, and three times he ran under 17 minutes, taking eighth at the Salina Invitational (16:57.54) and AVCTL Division I (16:15.98).
Brayden Walker, Southeast, senior*** - He capped off an outstanding career by taking second at 3A state in 16:26.75 as the Trojans won 3A state. He was also a regional champion (17:54.60), NCAA League champion (17:04.68) and Salina Invitational champion (15:48.01).
*indicates the number of previous appearances on the All-Saline County Cross Country teams.
Huey Counts has selected an all-county team after every season since 2018.
