What the Southwestern Heights girls cross country team lacks in depth, the Mustangs make up for with consistency.  

Entering the season with just five runners, Troy Mayhew knew his team couldn't afford any bad breaks.  

"The thing I was worried about was our numbers," Mayhew said. "I knew that we had to keep them healthy and avoid any quarantine issues. So far, we've done that the entire season. We've been healthy the entire season." 

That's enabled the Mustangs to enjoy an impressive campaign, winning team titles in all but two meets. 

Southwestern Heights capped the regular season by winning the Hi-Plains League meet at their home course, Arkalon Park in Liberal.  

"It's the first time that we've won league in a long, long time -- probably 15, 20 years," Mayhew said.  

The Mustangs are led by junior Ozia Trujillo, who was the runner-up in the Class 3A meet last season. Trujillo has several second-place finishes this season, including at the league meet, finishing in 20:33.81. 

Senior Yanely Puentes took fourth in the league meet at 21:36.06. Freshman Cinthya Garcia (22:20.15) and Juanita Puentes (22:29.91) followed in fifth and sixth place, and senior Dianna Olvera took 11th in 23:30.  

The Mustangs have edged league rival Stanton County, two-time defending state 2A champs, throughout the season. 

 "We usually kind of gauge ourselves based on what we're doing against them,"  Mayhew said. "Any time that we're competing with them and winning, it's definitely a good day." 

Southwestern Heights will look to add a regional crown to their list of accomplishments. The Mustangs will compete in the Class 3A regional on Saturday at Lakin's Louck Park.  

"We have some regional runners that will really push us, but overall, the quality that we have, we should be sitting pretty good," Mayhew said. "I'm hoping for big things. As long as nothing weird happens, I think will be in position." 

Other Western Kansas storylines for regional meets on Saturday:  

• Defending 2A girls state champion Chesney Peterson is unbeaten on the season. The Stanton County senior won the Hi-Plains League meet in 19:28.09. Both the Stanton County girls and boys are ranked No. 1 in Class 2A.  The Trojan boys, runner-up in Class 2A year ago, are led by Kamryn Golub, who won the league meet in 16:32.34. The Trojans will compete at Lake Barton Golf Club for regionals. 

• Heading into the Ness City regional, the Meade and Quinter boys are ranked first and second in Class 1A. Meade is led by Elijah Zortman, who placed eighth at state last year. Golden Plains' Emma Weiner is the favorite to win the girls race. Weiner, placed third at the state meet last year. She won the Northwest Kansas League meet in 21:04.30.  

• The Great Bend girls have enjoyed a strong season and will look to compete for a regional title at their home course at Lake Barton Golf Club. The Panthers placed five runners in the top 10 in the 4,000-meter run at the WAC meet – Marissa Boone (second, 16:01.60), Diane Alvarez (third, 16:18.50), Addy Nicholson (fifth, 16:25.50), Emma Loomis (eighth, 16:38.30) and Eliana Beckham (ninth, 16:39.60). 

• Dodge City's Serenity Larson will look contend for a title at Wichita East Regional. Larson won multiple races this season, including the WAC meet.