LAWRENCE — The wait was worth it. 

For the first time in 22 years, the Kapaun Mt. Carmel girls cross country team stood atop the state podium — and did so in commanding fashion. The Crusaders captured the Class 5A state championship Saturday at Rim Rock Farm with 58 points, pulling away from rival Bishop Carroll to complete a storybook season. 

Kapaun’s victory wasn’t just a return to glory — it was a redemption run years in the making. After finishing third in 2022 and runner-up last fall, the Crusaders put together their most complete race of the year when it mattered most, featuring four state medalists and a breakout performance from their fourth runner. 

“It feels amazing,” Kapaun head coach Gretchen Bina said. “Over the last four years, we’ve reached the podium twice, so winning a state championship has been something that’s been on our minds. The girls begin running together in mid-June, and it’s true that a lot of consistent hard work and perseverance goes into every season. To have their work pay off in this way is just so rewarding.” 

Sophomore Ava Claasen led the charge with a runner-up finish in 17:36 — a big leap from her 15th-place showing as a freshman. Senior Taylor Barringer, a four-year team leader, placed fifth in 19:06. Freshman Maddyx Erwin added a ninth-place finish in 19:13, while junior Abigail Bird delivered the performance of her career, taking 13th in 19:21 after being ranked outside the top 30 entering the meet. 
 

Bird’s race, Bina said, was the turning point. 

“She improved her time from the Rim Rock Classic by over two minutes,” Bina said. “We set a goal of top 25 for her and she ended up finishing 13th. That was a tremendous boost for us.” 

Bina credited Bishop Carroll — Kapaun’s fierce cross-town rival — for sharpening her team throughout the season. The Golden Eagles had beaten the Crusaders four times heading into the state meet, including at regionals. 

“Bishop Carroll consistently has a strong program,” Bina said. “Racing against them forces us to raise our level of intensity and makes us better. Even though we hadn’t beaten them yet, we felt we had a chance if our pack could close the gap behind our top three.” 
 

For Claasen, the championship was the product of belief and unity. 

“To win a state championship meant that as a team we truly showed our grit and determination that we spent all season building up,” Claasen said. “It was proof of our hard work and dedication. It shows how well we work together through faith and perseverance. I was so proud of my teammates because I knew they truly left all they had on the course.” 

Bina also made sure to highlight Barringer’s role in setting the tone for Kapaun’s rise. 

“Taylor has been our No. 1 runner throughout her high school career,” Bina said. “She’s been the linchpin of our three podium performances and provided such strong leadership on a very young team.” 
 

The girls’ title capped an unforgettable day for Kapaun Mt. Carmel — the Crusaders also swept the Class 5A championships, with the boys winning their own state crown. 

“The fact that both the boys and girls teams won state championships on the same day is unbelievable,” Bina said. “Going into the state meet, I felt that the boys win was inevitable and that the girls had an outside chance.  It was such an unexpected turn of events with all the drama and closeness of their win and then our unexpected victory as well.  The boys victory before ours provided such a spark for the girls and the boys were really supportive and encouraging the girls prior to our race.   

“Although we run our programs somewhat separately, I very much enjoy coaching alongside Coach (Gage) Garcia and we feel each others' struggles and successes.  The kids are all friends and build each other up and winning together makes it all the more sweet.  We're truly grateful for every moment.” 
 

Class 5A Girls State Meet 

At Rim Rock Farm 

Team Scores 

Kapaun Mt. Carmel 58, Bishop Carroll 79, St. James Academy 103, Blue Valley Southwest 103, St. Thomas Aquinas 105, Great Bend 187, Spring Hill 210, Salina Central 218, Andover Central 228, Valley Center 231, Piper 236, Basehor-Linwood 303