The Webb City High School cross country program had an outstanding 2019 season.
And Cardinals coach Dustin Miller is confident the 2020 campaign could be even better.
Webb City’s roster features a large number of returning state qualifiers, and the boys and girls squads both captured Central Ozark Conference championships last fall.
Webb City’s boys will be led by seniors Joseph Dawson and Owen Weller and junior Roman Borboa.
In a superb ’19 season, Dawson was the runner-up at the COC meet, placed seventh at the district meet, 10th at the sectional event and 15th at the Class 4 state meet.
Weller took fifth at the conference meet, 10th at the district meet, 13th at the sectional and 95th at state.
Borboa crossed the line 16th at the conference meet, 19th at the district event, 45th at the sectional and 72nd at state.
“On the boys side, we lost a lot of character guys,” Miller said, mentioning a departed senior class that included standout Haddon Spikereit, who is continuing his running career at Ozark Christian College. “But Joseph is back and Roman is blowing up right now. He’s been really impressive. And Owen is already having a great year. He’s another sub-16 (minute) guy.”
Borboa and Dawson crossed the line first and second, respectively, in the boys race at Joplin’s warm-up meet this past Saturday at Joplin South Middle School.
Dustin Brockmiller and Sam Winesburg are expected to be Webb City’s No. 4 and No. 5 runners, respectively, while Caden Duke, Evan Stevens, Jose Antillion and Shane Winters are competing for the final two varsity spots.
“We have a great battle go on for our remaining spots,” Miller said.
Last year, Webb City’s boys won the COC meet and took a full squad to the state championships, finishing 11th.
Miller noted the expectations are high again.
“A lot of our guys have put in the work and I think we’ll be alright,” Miller said. “We hope to compete for a state trophy and we’d love to win another conference title.”
The Webb City girls team also returns an experienced bunch — Riley Hawkins, Mileah Metcalf, Halley Philpot, Lauren Kuechler, Elliett Capron, Alanna Bundy and Izzy Lopez.
Now a junior, Hawkins placed third at the COC meet, fifth at the district event, 24th at the sectional and 64th at the state meet.
Hawkins also advanced to state as a freshman.
A senior, Metcalf also had a fine ’19, taking 11th at the conference meet, 12th at the district event, 22nd at the sectional and 112th at state.
“We have a lot of returners on the girls side,” Miller said. “We have seven girls with varsity experience, and they’ve put in a lot of consistent work over the winter, spring and summer. We’re expecting big things from our girls team.”
Philpot, Kuechler, Capron, Bundy and Lopez gained plenty of experience a year ago.
Velissia Perez, Katherine Moore and Emily Countryman are other runners who may contribute.
EXPANDED CLASSES
The Missouri State High School Activities Association has expanded classes for a number of sports this fall, cross country included. There will now be five classes for cross country.
For all classes, teams and runners will advance to state from a district meet (no more sectionals). The top two teams and the top 15 individuals at each district meet will advance to state.
Miller expects the Cardinals to compete in Class 4.
WHAT’S NEXT?
The Cardinals will compete at the Southwest Cross Country Coaches Association meet in Bolivar on Saturday.
