By Brennan Stebbins (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Warmups for Saturday’s Class 2 District 2 boys cross country race in Lamar didn’t quite go according to plan, but that didn’t phase New Covenant Academy.
The Warriors overcame the early hurdles and a soaked course to place four runners in the top 10 and earn the district crown on a rainy afternoon at Jeremy’s Creek Golf Course.
“I’m super proud of them, they ran great,” head coach Ben Jennings said. “We got rain delayed in the middle of our initial warmup so they had to stop and go sit in the van wet and cold, but they came out and ran great.”
The Warriors totaled 57 points in winning the title, besting Mansfield (83), Alton (85) and Southwest (Washburn) (106). Each of those teams qualified for next weekend’s state meet, along with the top 30 individuals.
New Covenant was led by Austin Kendall, who finished fourth in 17:18.03. Kian Edwards took sixth, Alec McClaflin placed ninth, Deric Herndon finished 10th and Corbin Stafford was 33rd.
“We had a couple kids run really well,” Jennings said. “I expected that but it was fun to see them do what they’re capable of. It’s a great catalyst for state. We’ll focus and work hard this week and go have fun next weekend. Hopefully it’ll be drier.”
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE BOYS RACE
Stafford ran a “fantastic race, best he’s done this year by far,” Jennings said.
Mansfield’s Nolyn Corder won the individual title on Saturday with a time of 16:48.66. Braxton Bolfing was fifth, Zachary McCrite was 25th, Benjamin Williams was 26th and Sharif Gilal was 37th.
Alton was led by Rydan Deckard (17:02.81) in second place. Trenton Cunningham placed eighth, Trevor Cunningham was 15th, Chaska Darrah-Vanalst was 32nd and Cameron Hardwick was 39th.
Southwest’s top runner was Robert Humphries (17:08.97) who placed third. Bryar Llewellyn took seventh, Victor Tellez was 20th, Kameron Kelley was 34th and Skylar Reines was 58th.
Other qualifiers were Colton McMillan (11th) of College Heights Christian, Ryder Murphy (12th) of Gainesville, Levi Stout (13th) of Licking, Wyatt Housh (14th) of Diamond, Logan Manwarren (16th) of Purdy, Mason Walters (17th) and Luke Faulkner (18th) of Spokane, Owen Horton (19th) and Connor Jordan (21st) of College Heights, Jayden Griffis (22nd) of Purdy, Archer Luna (23rd) of Gainesville, Eli Epperson (24th) of Marionville, Case Klotz (27th) of Pleasant Hope, Clayton Albers (28th) of Sparta, Joseph Leavitt (29th) of Pierce City and Levi Herron (30th) of Fordland.
Sparta girls, with four freshmen, win girls championship
Sparta’s girls cross country team lived up to the potential head coach Monica Wallace saw before the season.
The Trojans placed their top five runners in the top 23 to total 39 points and finish 20 points better than Pierce City.
“I’m very proud of them considering we’re running a squad with two seniors and four freshmen,” Wallace said. “The freshmen have done an amazing job stepping up and taking the lead when they needed to. I’m excited for them because they’re getting a taste of a state appearance already. My seniors have been going to state every year so this is good for them as we continue to build the program.”
Senior Rylie McMurry led the team on Saturday and placed 7th individually with a time of 22:21.56. Senior Arianna Blevins earned 20th for the Trojans. Freshmen Claire Rains (9th), Raylee Dorman (15th) and Kahlen Humble (23rd) rounded out the top five.
“We have two great senior leaders and then these freshmen coming in, a couple of them had really good 7th and 8th grade careers so I knew the work ethic was with them,” Wallace said. “They came in and did exactly what they needed to.”
“Kahlen Humble finished about six places higher than what we were expecting, which is big,” Wallace said. “Claire Rains, a freshman, finished right behind Rylie. To be honest I knew Rylie McMurry would lead the pack, she does. She was an all-state athlete her freshman year and that’s her goal. That’s how she wants to end the season is being back up on that stage again.”
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GIRLS RACE
Pierce City (59), Sarcoxie (73) and Mansfield (87) earned the other team qualifications.
Pierce City’s Emma Hunt took third in 20:28.07, Lauren Blackburn was 12th, Ginger Leavitt was 17th, Molly Leavitt was 32nd and Emily Haase was 42nd.
Sarcoxie’s Laney Dorris (23:24.61) was 16th, Lily Garrison was 21st, Ariel Wilson was 22nd, Jordyn Misner was 34th and Natasha Garcia was 40th.
Mansfield’s top runner was Faith Clark, who earned fourth in 21:09.87. Annalise Johnson was 24th, Gentry Alsup was 25th, Kandie Logan was 43rd and Arianne Newby was 47th.
New Covenant Academy’s Clara Trent was the district champion, finishing in 19:29.48, which was roughly 40 seconds better than anyone else.
Ash Grove’s Millison Sapp earned second, Cabool’s Hannah McCrosky was fifth, Gainesville’s Kaitlyn Kahl was sixth, Ash Grove’s Kacee May was eighth and Spokane’s Kate-Lynne Hensley was 10th.
Also qualifying were Shalana Whittenburg (11th) of Alton, Courtney Patterson (13th) of Purdy, Lilly Haddock (14th) of Alton, Nylia Garcia (18th) of Fordland, Lucie Taylor (19th) of Hartville, Abigail Storrie (26th) of Hartville, Hailey Gorham (27th) of Thayer, Makayla Knox (28th) of Pleasant Hope, Jacee Durossette (29th) of Southwest (Washburn) and Sarah Cantrell (30th) of Conway.
