On the bus ride to Cessna Activity Center for the Class 6A regional cross country meet on Oct. 21, the Derby runners were quiet. After setting up the tent, snacks, drinks and other necessities, the tension and excitement filled the air as the bib numbers and tracking chips were passed out and put into place.

The Panthers all huddled up underneath the tents and put up the wind block wall to hide from the harsh cold winds. They talked, joked around and watched the college runners speed by as they patiently waited their turn to race later at ten that morning.

While four Panthers qualified for the 6A meet, which is Saturday at Rim Rock in Lawrence, the pre-race conversation was light.

The clouds moved fast across the dark, smoky gray sky. At 9:50 and the girls were in Box 3 stretching and hydrating.

Once it hit 10:01 a.m., the girls were off.

The Panthers’ primary goals were to run fast and finish in the top three.

Freshman Ashlyn Struble finished third to qualify for state, as did juniors Marah Franke (ninth) and Jacky Baker (10th).

The Panther boys were led by senior Jonathan Jones stays, who won the regional in 16:30.

Sophomore Adin Gilmore finished one spot out of qualifying.