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Bullpups Send 19 Athletes to State Track Meet After Strong Regional Showing

Boys claim third, girls finish fourth as multiple regional champions highlight impressive performances

Treg Fawl

23 May 2025 • 2 min read

MHS Track Team - Picture Credit - John Montgomery @CoachMonty on X

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ABILENE, Kan. — The McPherson High School track and field teams delivered outstanding performances at the Class 4A regional meet in Abilene, with the boys finishing third and the girls claiming fourth place while sending an impressive 19 athletes to next weekend's state championships at Cessna Stadium in Wichita. The Bullpups were led by several regional champions, including Arihanna Koehn, who captured titles in both the 100-meter hurdles and 300-meter hurdles, while Ellie Herrera claimed the high jump crown and Andi Buschbom won the long jump for the girls. On the boys' side, Caden Wenderott dominated the shot put and also qualified in discus alongside teammate Dylan Hall, while Caleb Muehler capped his stellar meet by winning the 3200-meter run and qualifying in multiple other distance events.

Head coach John Montgomery expressed pride in his team's surge to close the season, noting the numerous personal records achieved alongside the state qualifications. The girls will be represented by a deep group including Koehn in her hurdle events, the 4x100 relay of Tylee Wilson, Buschbom, Amara Dossett, and Adri McLeod, the 4x400 team of Koehn, Izabel Backhus, Maryn Sandbo, and Buschbom, the 4x800 relay of Lexi Patterson, Kayla Porter, Izabel Backhus, and Ada Prose, plus individual qualifiers McLeod (200m), Patterson (3200m), Karsen Burris (javelin), and Brynn Littlejohn (shot put). The boys' contingent features Wenderott in field events, Muehler and Ethan Elder in multiple distance races including the 800m and 1600m, Kayden Friesen in the 400m, and the 4x800 relay team of Tripp Pelzel, Friesen, Elder, and Muehler. "I'm proud of our fight and a great surge to end the season," Montgomery said as his team prepares for the state championships.