By ASHLYNN COLEY Prep Editor, Wichita Northwest High School

5:10 p.m. CDT, November 4, 2010
WICHITA, Kan.—
The Northwest Cross Country team sent two runners to last weekend’s State Cross Country Meet in Lawrence. Freshman Kali Simpkins and sophomore Maxwell Surmeier were the representatives of the Grizzlies.

"It was nerve-wracking to know I was the only girl from our (school) running. It made me nervous before my race," Simpkins said.

Last year Northwest sent its entire Varsity Boys team to State. Not being so lucky this year Surmeier had to run it solo.

"It sucked running alone. I hated it. That was the only bad part about going," Surmeier said.

In both boys and girls races there was a little over 100 runners. Simpkins placed 22nd with a time of 16:21 and Surmeier placed 95th.

"I was content with it. But I wasn't happy that I was two places away from getting a medal," Simpkins said. "I was glad that I wasn't in the 30’s though."

Thoughts raced for the runners as they were competing. They thought about what they learned this year and the finish line ahead of them.

"I just remembered everything (Coach) Russell taught me about staying focused and getting mentally tough and staying that way throughout the race," Surmeier said.

Simpkins and Surmeier plan on working even harder next year to lead and make it with their teams to State.

"I feel like I'm going to have a lot of responsibility over our boys and making sure everyone is practicing hard and doing what they need to do improve and get better," Surmeier said.