By Chris Parker & Amanda Perkins
The West Plains cross country programs added another line to their unmatched resumes at the Class 4 state cross country meet on Friday.
The boys, making a 47th consecutive appearance at the state meet, won their first team title since 2008. It marks the program’s 14th state title and 38th trophy overall.
The girls, making a 41st straight state appearance, finished runner-up to earn the program’s 27th trophy.
The Class 4 boys were the last race of the day on a muddy and worn course after hours of rain.
That did not bother the Zizzers.
After one kilometer mark, they were in second place as a team. By the second kilometer, West Plains had moved into first and their tightly grouped pack would not relinquish the top spot the rest of the race.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE BOYS RACE
Webster Groves made a push moving just two points behind West Plains entering the final kilometer.
Head coach Alicia Gunter had no worries about how her team would perform when the chips were down in the final stages of the race.
“I feel like we practice for it all season. I knew they weren’t going to fall apart. I didn’t know if we would get beat by a better team, but I knew they would come through and I told them that in the pre-race huddle,” Gunter said.
Four of West Plains’ top five moved up in the final 1,000 meters led by Kyler Gunter picking off seven runners to help the Zizzers secure the state title with 91 points well ahead of Festus and Webster Groves in second and third with 113 points each.
All five of West Plains’ scoring runners finished between 16th and 26th to overcome some high finishes by runners on other teams.
“They worked hard a really long time and I really think the wanted it. I really didn’t know how bad they wanted it until recently when I heard some interviews and they talked about how many years it had been since we won,” Coach Gunter said. “We always shoot for the stars. I think they wanted it more than I thought.”
Kyler Gunter led the way with a 13th place finish in a time of 16:45.8. He moved up from 20th to 13th in the final 1,000 meters. He was followed by Carson King (16th – 16:48.4), Hunter Stanley (16:55.1), Joseph Roberson (23rd – 16:57.2) and Trevin Smith (26th – 17:03.9).
Roberson and Smith combined to move up 41 places from their place at the one kilometer mark to the finish.
Blake Romans (38th – 17:15.2) and Hoyt Stiner (52nd – 17:31.0) rounded out the West Plains state lineup.
FULL BOYS RESULTS – CLICK HERE
Bolivar (14th place) and Carl Junction (17th place) also represented the area in the team race. Isaac Willoughby led Carl Junction with a 21st place finish in a time of 16:54.0. Bolivar was led by Mac Rich in 24th place with a time of 16:57.3.
In the girls’ race, West Plains finished runner-up for the second consecutive year behind Festus who was the leader of the team race from the three-kilometer mark on.
“I am proud of them. I always tell our team we don’t want to beat ourselves, and we didn’t beat ourselves today,” Coach Gunter said. “Festus came out hot. Festus is a well-coached team. We got beaten by a really great team with a really great coach. I told these girls when you’re mad and you’re crying and you’re sad because you’re state runner-up you are winners.”
Senior Addison Sanders led the way for West Plains with a time of 19:47.0 good for a sixth place finish overall.
As the lone senior, she has left her mark on the program over her four years.
“Addison got to run with some great runners early on and impacted her life on the course and forever and she would tell you that,” Coach Gunter said. “She told me in a letter she wrote me yesterday that she just wanted to make me proud, and she has made me proud so many times off the course and off.”
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GIRLS RACE
Seri King (12th – 20:16.0), Emily Ritter (28th – 20:42.8), Karlee Romans (33rd – 20:49.3) and Emma Dixon (40th – 20:57.2) rounded out the scoring for West Plains. Lena Finke (48th – 21:14.4) came across the finish line sixth for West Plains.
All five of those runners will return next season with big goals.
“The sky is the limit, and we are always going to go for it all,” Coach Gunter said. “We go to work tomorrow. We will be shooting for it all.”
Bolivar also earned a team trophy, placing fourth overall with 134 points. The Liberators never dipped below sixth place in the team standings.
Emma Howes led Bolivar with a 13th place finish in a time of 20:18.4. Michaela Young also finished in all-state position for Bolivar with a 20:30.6 which was good for 21st place. Adelyn Carrel (42nd – 21:00.2) and Tessa Ludden (43rd – 21:06.2) and Sydne Waters (51st – 21:21.6) were the other scoring runners for Bolivar. Sophia Stimpson (64th – 21:34.9) and Paige Pendergraft (92nd – 22:11.9) were the Nos. 6 and 7 runners.
All of the top four and Stimpson will return next season.
Nevada’s Grace Andersen (27th – 20:39.8) and Camdenton’s Averie Hotle (29th – 20:42.9) also finished in the top 30.
