St. Francis Logo

Faulkender State Bound

October 25, 2016

 Launch the media gallery 1 player

Saturday, October 22nd, found SFCHS cross country runner Jake Faulkender toeing a familiar starting line in Tribune, Kansas. Faulkender’s cross country season started on this course, and his goal for the day was that his season wouldn’t end where it began. The 43 girls raced first, and the finish found Wallace County winning the regional. First place was handily won by Robin Selzer from Wallace County who beat the field by a full minute. When the gun fired for the boys race, 81 runners surged down the hill toward the first turn knowing that only the top four teams and ten runners would race again this season. Faulkender knew he had to run with the lead pack and not go out too fast if he was going to punch a ticket to the state meet. In the first half mile, Faulkender settled into 8th place. He battled back and forth with positions five through eight during the next two miles and the gradual hills of the course. Numerous friends, family members, and coaches from other towns were sprinkled across the course encouraging Faulkender and helping him to know his current placing. Faulkender knew that the last 400 meters would bring any extra energy out of his opponents and held nothing back as he fought a Bucklin runner to the line. Faulkender finished 7th with a time of 19:05.61, bettering his previous time on this course. Faulkender was met at the finish line by proud mom and coach, Amber Faulkender and father, Tye Faulkender. South Gray won the regional led by an impressive runner, Luke Skinner, who finished with a time of 17:59.09. Jake will finish his debut season running the first race at the Kansas State Cross Country Meet at the Wamego Country Club, Saturday October 29th at 10 a.m.

Click the photos to see more photos!