With a pair of elite runners leading the way, Webb City will have two full squads competing at this week’s MSHSAA Cross Country Championships.
Webb City’s boys and girls teams both secured state berths by finishing in the top four of the team standings at the Class 4 District 2 meet on Saturday at Inman Intermediate School in Nixa.
West Plains (61), Willard (77), Webb City (122) and Rolla (129) were the qualifying boys teams.
“I’m really proud of the way our boys ran,” Cardinals coach Dustin Miller said. “Dakota Grove, who should be our No. 3, has been injured. He tried to go but couldn’t. I’m really proud of how some of the other guys stepped up. I’m happy the guys were able to get through.”
It’s the fourth straight season the Webb City boys are taking a full squad to state. Overall, it’s the ninth time Webb City has taken a full boys team to state (2003, ’14, ’15, ’16, ’17, ’19, ’20, ’21, ’22).
Webb City junior Evan Stevens was the individual district champion with a time of 15 minutes, 57 seconds.
“Evan beat a lot of quality guys,” Miller said. “Some of those guys will be in the top 15 at the state meet. Evan made a lot of guys look silly in the last lap when he decided to take off and separate. That was good to see. I think that should build a lot of confidence going forward.”
Stevens finished 36th at last year’s state meet, so he’s made a lot of progress in a year’s time. In fact, Coach Miller said Stevens has the ability to contend for a state championship.
“He has a legitimate chance to win a state title,” Miller said. “It should be exciting. He’s had some great training sessions, so we’ll see what he does on Friday.”
Also at the district meet, junior Mason Hedger was 12th, freshman Andrew Dawson finished 31st, sophomore Spencer Kendall was 33rd and junior Ricardo Arrieta was 45.
It’s the third straight trip and fourth state appearance overall for the Webb City girls (’17, ’20, ’21, ’22).
The top four teams were West Plains (49), Rolla (91), Bolivar (101) and Webb City (101).
“Overall, I’m really proud of the girls team,” Miller said. “We had a really good day, with several PRs. We stepped up and ran well. It was a good day all around.”
Webb City senior standout Abi Street was the girls medalist with a time of 18:53. Rolla’s Isabella Frost was second in 18:56.
“Abi executed her gameplan flawlessly and beat a really quality opponent in the Rolla girl,” Miller said.
Street, who also won the COC Meet, finished fifth at last year’s state meet. With that, she’ll have the goals set high for her final prep cross country race.
“I think Abi can run close to 18 flat,” Miller said. “I think she’s right on track. Hopefully she’ll have a good day when it matters. She always performs well in big moments for us, so I look forward to seeing how she handles the challenge.”
Webb City freshman Brooke Hedger placed ninth at the district meet.
“Brooke had a really good day and I think she has an outside shot to be an all-stater,” Miller said. “That’s pretty exciting.”
Sophomore Rachel Miller finished 25th, giving the team three all-district performers. Also competing for the Cardinals were freshman Holly Capron (33rd), junior Emily Countryman (36th) and freshman Kristina Bundy (52nd).
The MSHSAA Class 4 Cross Country Championships will be held on Friday at Gans Creek Cross Country Course in Columbia. The girls race is scheduled for 11:15 a.m., with the boys to follow at noon.
Miller noted it will be great to have both teams competing on the final day of the season.
“Anytime you can take your full team it has a regular season meet type of feel and that’s what you want,” Miller said. “And with both teams going, it’s going to be a fun and enjoyable atmosphere. We have a lot of younger kids going, with just one senior competing, so it will be a good experience and hopefully they find their way back next year. I’m really proud of the kids and the work they’ve put in and the sacrifices they’ve made to be part of the program. And I’m just really excited to see how they do.”
