The story of how the Northwest boys 1600-meter relay team came about as a Class 6A title threat is one that coach Ron Russell enjoys telling. All four runners have their unique story and how all four came to form into one is still astonishing to Russell.

Alvin Saisi, Cortez Carr, Mitchell Shurtz, and Deron Thompson have teamed up to run a season-best time of 3 minutes, 22.65 seconds, which is currently the second-fastest time posted this season in Kansas and also the No. 2 time in 6A.

It’s the fact that this unit is all so unlikely that tickles Russell. The Grizzlies will compete in the City League meet at Northwest on Friday.

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