By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Nixa, Mo. — 129 runners from the ten area Central Ozarks Conference schools converged on Nixa’s Inman Elementary course on a cool and windy Tuesday afternoon.
While Nixa’s Alicen Ashley and Eros Sustaita each raced to individual victories, it was Webb City who captured both team titles.
Girls Race
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In the girls race, Webb City posted 67 points to narrowly edge out second-place finisher Nixa’s 75.
Paced by Riley Hawkins’ third-place finish, the Lady Cardinals were able to bunch three runners in the top 11 and all five in the top 25.
Webb City head coach Dustin Miller wasn’t quite sure what to expect from his team and was thrilled with the outcome.
“It’s a surprise, because we knew we could do it, but we struggle with some confidence — that’s hard to overcome sometimes,” Miller said. “Today, they went out aggressive, stayed aggressive and they just took the race to people. We struggled to finish, but I’m so proud of their effort.”
After running together the entire race, Alexia Jimenez and Mileah Metcalf finished in 10th and 11th place.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GIRLS RACE
Miller praised Jimenez for her leadership and effective strategy.
“Alexia Jiminez, our senior No. 2, had a phenomenal day,” Miller said. “She pulled Malia Metcalf right along with her.”
Hally Philpot finished 18th and Alanna Bundy rounded out the Webb City quintet in 25th.
Miller was quick to point out Philpot’s courageous finish, as the freshman moved up two critical places in the final 30 meters and edged out a Nixa runner just before the line.
“Hally Philpot stepped up with an injury,” Miller said. “And as you know, freshman year is a tough struggle with an injury and a little bit of confidence. Today, when it came to crunch time, the girl just really stepped up and got it done.”
Individual honors went to Nixa’s Alicen Ashley with a time of 19:09.0.
The sophomore bested Jenari Lopez of Carthage (19:48.4) and Riley Hawkins of Webb City (20:01.1) with a strong burst over the last mile.
“I was really nervous, because the last time at the Nixa Invite, [Lopez] beat me,” Ashley said. “But Coach told me to pace with her and then go ahead when I can. That’s typically what I like doing. I don’t start off too fast. I just try to pace myself and calm my nerves.”
Both Lopez and Hawkins stayed close to Ashley for most of the race; however, Ashley’s knowledge of her home course paid big dividends during her final mile push.
“I definitely used the hills, and I really like knowing where they are,” Ashley said. “I know when I can stride up and burst up those hills.”
CLICK HERE FOR FULL RESULTS OF THE GIRLS RACE
Top 10 COC Girls
1. 19:09.0 – Alicen Ashley, Nixa
2. 19:48.4 – Jenari Lopez, Carthage
3. 20:01.1 – Riley Hawkins, Webb City
4. 20:10.1 – Elizabeth Kitchin, Ozark
5. 20:22.4 – Miha Nambara, Republic
6. 20:47.5 – Nevaeh Page, Nixa
7. 20:48.1 – Avery Webber, Branson
8. 20:48.8 – Kopelyn Delong, Ozark
9. 20:55.3 – Jazuri Lopez, Carthage
10. 21:04.9 – Alexia Jiminez, Webb City
Top Three COC Girls Teams
1. 67 – Webb City
2. 75 – Nixa
3. 97 – Carthage
Boys Race
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While Webb City served up the sweep in the boys event, there was no narrow result as was the case in the girls race.
The Cardinals bested runner up Carthage 48-64 to capture the title in dominant fashion.
Led by Joseph Dawson (2nd), Haddon Spikereit (3rd) and Owen Weller (5th), Webb City bunched all five of its runners in the top 22, with Roman Borboa (16th) and Parker Hansen (22nd) rounding out the scoring five.
After dealing with some inconsistent results throughout the season, Miller was pleased to see things finally come together for his squad.
“Our boys didn’t have a good team race all year,” Miller said. “We haven’t had more than three of our top five run well on the same day, so we’re just this hodgepodge, but their attitudes have been phenomenal, and their workouts have been on point.”
While Miller praised all his runners, he was quick to point out Hansen’s rapid improvement as the team’s No. 5 runner.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE BOYS RACE
“Parker Hansen, he’s not supposed to be that good,” Miller said. “He’s not supposed to beat those guys, but he doesn’t care — he just goes and does it. He was in the JV race last year, and here he is in the [top 25] of the COC meet.”
With his squad coming together, Miller was excited for the coming knockout races leading up to the state championships in Columbia.
“I don’t think we’ve ever put three in the top five,” Miller said. “I was just elated to see our effort. I don’t like to say it, but nobody here has worked as hard as we have. We know that, we’re confident in that and we wear the target like a badge of honor.”
Individual honors went to Nixa’s Eros Sustaita with a time of 16:06.2.
After sticking with the front pack, Sustaita grabbed the lead near the first mile. The senior continued to build his advantage as he advanced through the course, besting the Webb City duo of Joseph Dawson (16:22.8) and Haddon Spikereit (16:28.1).
“The first mile, I was hoping just to stick with everybody, because that first one is always faster than every other mile,” Sustaita said. “I was right behind them for the first mile, but after getting out of here, I just started going. I was, like, let’s see if they can keep up with me because, as a runner, I know if I let them sit right by me, that gives them extra motivation to keep running faster.”
While not a personal best, Sustaita was pleased to post his fastest time yet for the Nixa course, despite feeling the ill effects of an earlier lunch.
“It’s very exciting,” Sustaita said. “My stomach kind of hurt after the second mile — school lunch is not ideal for race day — so that was a little unfortunate, but these next two weeks will be on Saturday, so I don’t have to worry about it.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL RESULTS OF THE BOYS RACE
Top 10 COC Boys
1. 16:06.2 – Eros Sustaita, Nixa
2. 16:22.8 – Joseph Dawson, Webb City
3. 16:28.1 – Haddon Spikereit, Webb City
4. 16:32.0 – William Kershaw, Nixa
5. 16:39.3 – Owen Weller, Webb City
6. 16:45.5 – Noah Talamantez, Carthage
7. 16:51.6 – Kaden Cole, Neosho
8. 16:52.1 – Thomas Shuster, Willard
9. 16:57.2 – Mariquis Strickland, Carthage
10. 17:05.5 – Gabriel, Bauer, Ozark
Top Three COC Boys Teams
1. 48 – Webb City
2. 64 – Carthage
3. 87 – Nixa
