Experienced Plainsmen runners set sights on return to state

By Samantha Goff

GRANT TRIBUNE SENTINEL

The Perkins County cross country program enters the 2026 season with an experienced group of upperclassmen, returning state qualifiers and a promising collection of newcomers.

 Six letter winners return for the Plainsmen, including boys Logan Barry, Ethan Swesey and Leighton Fryzek and girls Haylea McGreer, Savannah Miller and Madison Potts.

 The girls are coming off a milestone season in which they qualified for the state meet as a team for the first time in more than a decade. After placing 11th at state, the returning runners hope to make another trip to Kearney and improve upon that finish.

 “The top girls are those who qualified for the state meet last year, and they are looking to improve,” head coach Tristan Stephenson said. “The boys are hard workers and know what it takes to do well, too.”

 Potts, McGreer and Miller return for their senior seasons, while juniors Hanna Colglazier and sophomore Alyssa Laber also bring varsity experience. Sophomore Kayleen Jurado joins the girls team as its lone newcomer.

 Potts is expected to set the pace for the girls as the team’s top returning runner.

 On the boys side, seniors Barry, Swesey and Rodolfo Aragon return alongside juniors Jesus Marquez and Miles Knapp and sophomore Leighton Fryzek. Swesey enters the season as the Plainsmen’s top returning male runner.

 Stephenson said he will look to Swesey and Potts to help lead their respective teams.

 “They are the leaders this year, but they also have several peers running close, which is also encouraging,” Stephenson said.

 The boys welcome five newcomers: freshmen Christian Fryzek, Austin Kraus and Eric Swesey and sophomores Kruz Franklin and Logan Pittman.

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