Avery Larson has seen firsthand what it takes to build a championship cross country team.
Now, she and her Hesston teammates are hoping to do it again.
The Swathers have won the Class 3A team state championship two consecutive years, and Larson believes the team’s chemistry could help Hesston make another run at the title this season.
“We have built a strong bond between the girls on our team and we work to push each other every practice and meet,” Larson said. “We have a goal of winning state again and have four girls who could compete for all state honors.”
Larson spent the offseason preparing for another opportunity to compete at the highest level.
This was her second summer training and competing with the Kansas Flyers. She participated in training sessions twice a week and competed in the AAU district, regional and Junior Olympic national meets. Her events included the 1,500 meters and 4×800 relay.
Larson also continued her training outside of the Flyers.
“I also ran independently on my off days from the Flyers and with the Distance Inc. organization on long Saturday runs,” she said.
One of Larson’s primary focuses heading into the season is improving her running form in hopes of lowering her times. She spent the offseason building strength in her arms and legs through repetition while alternating between sprint work and longer runs.
“Continuing to improve my running form to be able to improve my time,” Larson said of her biggest area of focus. “I’ve been trying to build up my arm strength and legs through repetition and rotating between sprints and long runs.”
Larson enters the season with a career personal record of 19:49, which she ran at regionals in 2024. That season, she finished seventh at the Class 3A state meet in 19:57 and helped Hesston capture the team state championship.
Last season, Larson finished 14th overall at the Class 3A state meet with a season-best time of 20:13 as Hesston won its second consecutive team state title. She also placed 14th in the varsity blue division at the Rim Rock Classic, which featured 376 competitors.
This season, Larson has set ambitious goals for herself.
She wants to improve on her career-best time, qualify individually for the state meet and finish among the top 10 at state.
Her team goals are even higher.
“Win every meet we compete in, complete the 3-peat by winning state again,” Larson said.
With a strong group of runners, a championship tradition and teammates who continue to push one another, Larson believes Hesston has the pieces necessary to make another run at the state title.
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