By Pat Dailey (For OzarkSportsZone.com)
BOLIVAR — West Plains’ Kyler Gunter and Carson King know all about the Zizzers’ storied tradition that includes 13 state championships. They’re also well aware how long it’s been since West Plains added to its state titles count.
“We haven’t won a state championship in 16 years,” Gunter said. “We want to bring back another trophy.”
“That’s our goal,” King added.
The Zizzers appear primed to make a run at another state championship, after essentially lapping the Class 4 District 2 17-team field for the team championship. Buoyed by second through fifth individual finishes, West Plains totaled 22 points. Pacific was a distant second with 115 points.
Gunter was runner-up at the Bolivar Municipal Golf Course in 16:18, while King was third in 16:21, Hunter Stanley fourth in 16:26 and Joseph Roberson fifth in 16:27.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE MEET
In addition, West Plains’ Hunter Stine was eighth in 16:31 and Blake Romans ninth in 16:32.
For a good chunk of the race, the Zizzers maintained the same pace while running in a seven-man pack.
“We communicated before the race that we were wanting to (keep) the top seven of us together, at least through the first mile, maybe the first mile and a half,” Gunter said.
“I feel like that’s what pushed us through as a team to win. It kept us running strong,” King said.
It was also by design that the Zizzers were just a tad on the conservative side in anticipation of next weekend’s Class 4 State Meet at Gans Creek Cross Country Course in Columbia.
“There’s more in the tank,” King said.
“Everybody conserved just a little, knowing the Zizzers have got a little bit more for next week,” Gunter said.
Carl Junction’s Isaac Willoughby was the individual champ by clocking in at 16:10. He’ll be looking to improve on his 39th-place finish at state a year ago.
On the girls side, West Plains’ Addison Sanders took third place behind a pair of Rockwood Summit runners.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL RESULTS OF THE MEET
Sanders posted a 19:28. With an eye on state, she was content not to try to make a run at her PR of 19:08.
“I felt good. It was a solid race,” Sanders said. “We were trying to run a conservative race, so next week we’ll have a little more. We definitely weren’t trying to go all-out because we want to have more next week.
“I’m excited and ready (for state),” she added. “The anticipation is a lot.”
The Lady Zizzers captured the team title by having six individuals among the top 20. Seri King was sixth in 19:53 and Emily Ritter seventh in 19:55.
West Plains had 46 points, while Bolivar was runner-up with 76.
Bolivar’s Emma Howes finished fourth in 19:29.
