By Huey Counts
Saline Central's Katelyn Rupe rebounded from the first loss against Sunflower State competition to run a course record at the Bob Schmoekel Cross Country Invitational.
Rupe covered the 5-kilometer course at Junction City's Milford Lake in 17 minutes, 4.72 seconds to win the gold medal. The time lowered her own previous marek of 17.05.9 set last fall.
Central also had the individual winner on the boys' side as Liam Deniau-Young ran a personal-best 16:27.85 for a 30-second win. Teammate Ethan Soper was 13th in 17:40.8.
Last weekend at the Rim Rock Classic in Lawrence, Rupe placed third behind Topeka Seaman's Ryin Miller and her Mustang teammate, Kaylie Shultz. Prior to that race, Rupe had won each of her cross country races against competitors from Kansas.
Rupe got off to a quick start this time, leading comfortably much of the race. Shultz was second in 17:48.13, well ahead of third-place Kylie Pfizenmaier of Clay Center.
