GARNETT - Jayhawk-Linn cross country standout Meriel Long coasted to the 2009 Pioneer League Women's Championship on Thursday, Oct. 15, by running the 4K course at Anderson County in 17:04 minutes.

"I think Meriel stands an excellent chance of qualifying for state at this Saturday's regional," noted Coach Shawn Thomas. "She should be one of the top three in our Regional."

Long will have the home course advantage as the Class 2A Regional qualifying race will be

contested at Sugar Valley Golf Club.

Start time is slated for 3 p.m. for women's; 3:30 p.m. for men's.

Mason Craig medaled 11th in the men's 5K league race; Lane Harris, 13^th.

"Mason has a good shot," noted Thomas. "If he puts a race together from start to finish, then I think he will get in."

Other schools competing are Burden-Central, Burlingame, Cottonwood Falls-Chase County, Elbing-Berean Academy, Eskridge-Mission Valley, Humboldt, Lyndon, Marmaton Valley, Olpe, Peabody-Burns, Pittsburg-St. Mary's Colgan and Shawnee-Maranatha Academy.