By The Hays Daily News

LAWRENCE -- For the third time in his standout prep cross country career, Hays High School senior Josh Munsch is all-state.

Munsch capped his prep career with a third-place showing Saturday in the Class 5A State Championships at Rim Rock Farm, running 16 minutes, 34.05 seconds for the bronze medal, his third medal in four years at the storied Rim Rock course, and third top-six finish.

"Josh is always one of those guys that always wants to win, and has won so many races in his career," Indian co-head coach Rick Keltner said. "He is such a great kid, and he gave it his all."

Munsch finished third behind McPherson standout Adam Porter and Hutchinson's Cameron Sprague, who also ran better than Munsch in last week's regional at Lake Afton.

"I talked to him a little bit after the race," Keltner said. "And then he went and threw up. That is a pretty good indication that a kid is giving it all he's got."

Munsch was one of two medalists for the Indians. Junior Seth Tophoj, the Indians' No. 2 runner all season, finished seventh Saturday in 16:50.78.

"We are real proud of both Josh and Seth," Keltner said.

Munsch, who sat out part of last year's track and field season with an injured muscle, didn't get much time in over the summer, but still managed to win most of the meets he ran in this fall.

"I told Josh he had a heck of a year," Keltner said.

"Last summer, he basically didn't run. Those guys (Porter and Sprague) probably got 50 to 60 miles per week during the summer.

"He had a heck of a season, and then a heck of a run (Saturday)," Keltner added.

On the girls' side, sophomore Maddie Kasra also earned a top-10 finish for Hays High, running ninth to earn the medal. Kasra finished in 16:19.66, one of two representatives for the Indian girls.

"Wow, what an exciting kid to watch as a sophomore," Keltner said of Kasra, the Indians' No. 1 runner all season.

The Indian girls' other runner, senior Kylie Gaughan, capped her prep career with a 24th-place showing in 16:51.06. Gaughan ends her career with three all-state trips to Rim Rock, this year being the only time she didn't accomplish that.

Also competing for the Indian boys, junior Eli Fort finished 42nd in 18:04.23 and senior Vincent Bizzell was 63rd in 18:29.70.