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Cross Country is Pacing for State

Both the boys and girls cross country team took home 1st place at Spanish lakes in the Class 3 Division, making themselves District Champs. Not only did both teams win Districts as whole, but several runners placed in the top 15, earning individual spots at State.

Six of the Varsity boys placed in the top 15 with A.J Lloyd, senior, leading the way in 1st place with an outstanding time of 16:51:52.

When talking about winning the race, LLoyd said, “It was awesome to win Districts, I couldn’t have done it without the help of my coaches and teammates. I really want to thank my teammate Will Leonard who pushed me all the way. I can’t wait to show what me and my teammates are made of at State. I’m gonna go out hard and try to make it in the top 5.”

Will Leonard, junior, followed close behind in second with a time of 16:53:67. Xander Smith, senior, and Matthias Jowdy, junior, duked it out to the finish line with Smith placing in 7th with a time of 17:22:63. Jowdy coming in right behind with a time of 17:27:79.

Blake Elder and Blake Andrews, both seniors, helped put the team ahead with Elder coming through at 17:37:72 in 10th place and Andrews coming in at 17:51:01 in 15th place. Brendan Grbcich also had an awesome race with a time of 18:35:47. Overall the boys ran extremely well with an average pace of 17:14.

For the girls race each of the Varsity runners got in the top 15 with Ava Hollman, sophomore, securing 3rd place, with a time of 20:13:68. Isabella Francois, sophomore, came in right behind with an amazing time of 20:16:52, setting a new personal record.

Rachel Strothkamp, senior, and Amanda Espy, junior, pushed each other throughout the whole race and finished in 8th and 9th place. Espy set a new PR with a time of 20:53:01 and Strothkamp earned an awesome time of 20:54:90.

When talking about how it felt to win Districts, Strothkamp said, “ It was such an amazing feeling because it is something I have been working towards my entire Cross Country career. I think the key to our victory is that we run for each other rather than running for ourselves.”

Ashley Moellenhoff, junior and cross country’s newest member, joining only a few weeks before Districts, hit a time of 22:12:83, earning 13th place. Kathryn Kramer, senior and girls captain, kicked it at the end, leaving four MICDS runners in her dust, securing 15th place with a time of 22:13:60. Overall the girls team ran an average of 20:54, earning 1st place, never being done before at WCA.

Both teams look forward to the State meet at Jefferson City on November 4th. There is a significant chance of both teams placing in the top four.

When talking about the recent victory at Districts and the team’s goals for state, Coach Meyers said, “They have worked hard and their demonstration of grit and determination while racing is a wonderful exhibit of worshipping God through their gift of running… If both the Girls and Boys teams go for it on Saturday it is possible both teams could podium (top 4 of 16 teams at state get trophies and top 25 individuals are considered all-state and get medals).”