Tradition-rich Stanton County hungry for more success

With a combined 23 team state championships in school history between the girls and boys teams, Stanton County cross country is among the most decorated programs in the state.

Coach Mike Horton makes it a point to bring up the Trojans' tradition-rich history a couple times each season. 

Not that the Trojan runners aren't already aware of the legacy. 

"We have a lot of people that still live in our community that were runners," Horton said. "Pretty early on, I think (Stanton County runners) figure out that it's a special thing to be a part of."

The Stanton County girls, two-time defending state champions in Class 2A, have won 12 team championships, and the Trojan boys have captured 11 team state titles in all, the last coming in 2019.

"I tell them, 'You're running for something more than just you and your teammates. You're running for our community and for everybody that ever wore that jersey,' " Horton said.

Horton himself once wore the jersey. He ran for the Trojans in the '70s under the late Arkie Morris, a legendary figure in program lore who started the school's cross country team in 1962 and coached until 1999. The Trojans have had just two head coach since then. Jerry Gum was the head coach from 1999 to 2006 before Horton took over. Merwyn Snowbarger has been an assistant coach for the Trojans since the early 90's.

Horton has guided Stanton County to a combined three state titles with three more individual champions. 

Chesney Peterson capped an undefeated sophomore season with an individual state championship last year, setting a high school course record at Sand Plum Nature Trail with an 18:17.1.

Peterson followed it up with an amazing track season in the spring, winning state titles in the 3200, 1600 and 800, and anchoring the state-winning 1,600 relay.

"As she came into her eighth grade year, you could just really see that she had an amazing competitive spirit," Horton said. "... She goes out really hard, kind of has that [Steve] Prefontaine mentality."

The Trojan girls also return a top-10 state placer in Suzanne Farnham, who took eighth in 2A last year with a 20:02.6.

Peterson won the season-opening two-mile run at the Meade Invitational with an 11:46.20

Madison Seyb, who took 24^th at state last year a freshman, is on the road to recovery after suffering serious injuries from a car accident over the summer. Morton said Seyb could resume running by the end of the season.

Other runners for the Trojan girls include freshman Kenzington Nairn, sophomore Lauren Canny, junior Belle Batterton and sophomore Lexi Martinez.

"We may not show it in the next week or two, but I think by the time the postseason gets here with regionals and state, I think our girls in the back are going to be pretty ready," Horton said.

The Trojan boys took second as a team last year at state. They are led by junior Kamryn Golub, who ran a personal-best at state last year, placing third with a 16:24.6.

"He works as hard as anybody I have had in my 22 years (of coaching)," Horton said. "He does everything you ask. If anything, it's about trying to get him to take his easy days a little bit easier. He just really loves running."

Golub took second in the Meade Invitational last week with a 10.35.40 in the two-mile run. Stanton County senior Spencer Schmidt was fifth in the meet with an 11.29.20.

Other varsity runners for the Trojan boys include seniors Ryan Wenman, Colton Adams and Uziel Carrasco, and sophomore Brandon Robles.

"The boys don't have many spare tires but we are in a good spot," Horton said.

On the 2A girls side, Remington took second behind Stanton County at state last year and return their top three runners from the state meet in Lucy Brown (11^th), Alli Willour (22nd) and Ellie Van Zelfden (23^rd). Besides Peterson, West Elk's Josie Ware placed fifth last year as a junior.

The Berean Academy boys are the defending 2A state champions and won a Class 1A title in 2019. The Warriors return two runners who finished in the top 15 at state last year in Andrew Harder (fifth) and Eli Nord (13^th).

Spearville's Corbin Ricke could be another runner to watch in 2A. The senior won the Meade Invitational in 10.24.80.