Prior to departing the Ozark Conference next season, a pair of schools made the most of their respective final runs in Lake Springfield’s conference cross country championships Saturday.
BOYS RACE
The West Plains boys raced away with the overall title, capping a dominant run throughout the program’s history in the conference.
Led by junior Kyler Gunter’s runner-up individual finish (17:12.05), the Zizzers slotted four runners in the top ten overall list and outpaced second-place Glendale by a score of 35-65.
West Plains head coach Alicia Gunter was pleased with her team’s performance as it prepares for the postseason races to come.
“I think we could have closed the gaps a little better as a team, but our top five have been pretty consistent all season long,” Coach Gunter said.
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Following an announcement earlier this week, the Zizzers are set to compete in the newly formed Ozark Mountain Conference next season. A move which has brought forth some bittersweet emotions for the longtime coach.
“I did use [the conference move] as a motivator for our team,” Coach Gunter said. “Before we came out with the vote this week, I told them ‘this is probably going to be our last time, and we definitely want to go out with a bang.’ For me, it means even more because I raced at Lake Springfield as a high schooler for the Zizzers, and I just love this course.”
Sophomore Jackson Free (4 – 17:23.50), junior Hoyt Stiner (7 – 17:36.16), junior Carson King (8 – 17:40.88), sophomore Trevin Smith (14 – 18:02.09) and freshman Hunter Stanley (22 – 18:24.52) followed Gunter across the line for West Plains.
Rolla’s Cameron Martensen won the individual title with a time of 17:02.72. The Rolla sophomore sat back in fifth place early on in the race before making a big move to the front for the lead and eventual victory.
GIRLS RACE
West Plains bid for a double win Saturday fell just short, thanks to another traditional powerhouse also set to switch conferences next season.
In a razor-thin 54-68 finish, Bolivar edged out West Plains’ bid for a team double Saturday.
Led by senior Ayden Spotila’s fourth-place finish, the Liberators – also set to switch conferences next season – placed three runners in the top ten and all five in the top 20.
Longtime head coach Ron Bandy praised his group for stepping up and performing when it mattered most.
“We were a little nervous coming and kind of beat up,” Bandy said. “Coming in, I just told the girls, ‘This is ours. Today is going to be your day – I want you to race your race and go out there and have fun,’ and man, they showed up and did a great job. Every girl showed up and did their job today.”
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Senior Julia Jump (8 – 21:52.43), sophomore Emma Howes (9 – 21:47.21), freshman Adelyn Carrel (13 – 22:15.33) and sophomore Tessa London (20 – 22:38.03) finished behind Spotila in the standings for Bolivar.
Central’s Alexandria Li won the individual title with a time of 20:24.41. After pacing through the first mile in 10th place, the senior worked her way through the pack and surged to the front on the second lap.
