Joseph Dawson never envisioned a senior year like this.
For the Webb City cross country standout, the fall campaign has been anything but normal.
After entering the year with lofty goals, Dawson missed a majority of his team’s regular-season meets, first due to an illness, and secondly to being in quarantine.
But after an unconventional, if not disappointing, couple of months, Dawson is finishing his prep cross country career exactly where he had hoped—at the state meet.
“I’ve tried to stay positive,” Dawson said. “This whole year has been crazy. There’s nothing you can do about it. We just have to take what we can get.”
After a breakout junior year, Dawson got off a solid start to his senior season, crossing the finish line second at Joplin’s warm-up meet on Aug. 29 and then placing eighth at the Carthage Invitational on Sept. 10.
Everything soon changed for Dawson, as he would not compete alongside his teammates again until the very end of October.
Dawson missed out on an early-season meet due to a stomach flu. Then he had to quarantine for two weeks. No, Dawson did not contract the coronavirus, but he was around a classmate that had tested positive. With that, Dawson missed several competitions.
“Not getting to race was kind of a bummer, but I was working out on my own while I was in quarantine,” Dawson said.
Webb City coach Dustin Miller noted Dawson did his best to stay in shape while he was away from the team.
“I was really pleased with the amount of focus he had while he was training on his own,” Miller said. “There’s nothing you can do to simulate a race effort. He’s had some great training from then to now.”
After the long period of time away from competition, Dawson made an immediate impact upon his return.
Dawson finally made his return to competition at the Central Ozark Conference meet on Oct. 20 in Nixa.
Although he was a bit rusty, Dawson managed to finish third overall in the 5K race with a time of 16:26. He played a big role as the Cardinals won their seventh straight conference title.
“He said it was almost like he forgot how to race,” Miller said. “But for him to come back and take third at the conference meet was big. It was an opportunity to be out there and feel what it’s like to compete again.”
Dawson crossed the line third overall with a time of 16:32 at the Class 4 District 6 meet in Nixa this past Saturday, playing a crucial role as the Cardinals captured the fourth district crown in program history and advanced the entire squad to state.
“Districts was an all right race for him,” Miller said. “He ran a really controlled first 1,000 meters and then he pressed a little harder in the second mile.”
“It wasn’t my best race,” Dawson said. “I didn’t hit the time I needed to hit. But the one race that really matters is state.”
Dawson entered his senior year with high hopes after he put together a stellar junior campaign.
In 2019, Dawson was the runner-up at the conference meet before he finished seventh at the district meet and 10th at the sectional.
In an eye-opening performance, Dawson took 15th at last year’s state meet with a time of 15:51, earning all-state recognition.
“Last year’s state experience was very good,” Dawson said. “I raced a 15:51, which is my PR.”
In addition to his junior season, Dawson also competed at state as a freshman, finishing 57th on the day teammate Ryan Riddle was the state runner-up.
“That was definitely a special day for me,” Dawson said. “Not many freshmen get the chance to do that.”
Dawson has played a crucial role in continuing Webb City’s tradition of excellence.
“It’s been great being a part of this program,” Dawson said. “The team atmosphere is really amazing here. Winning districts and trying for a state title is definitely a positive thing.”
Now, Dawson has one last cross country race in a Webb City uniform. The Class 4 race is at 11 a.m. on Friday at Gans Creek Cross Country Course in Columbia.
Dawson said his goals for Friday are simple—he wants a championship plaque for the team and a second-place finish individually.
“I think it will take a 15:50 for me,” Dawson said. “For our team to beat Festus, we’ll all have to be at our best. I feel pretty good about it. I feel like our team has a chance to win it.”
Miller feels both of those goals are attainable.
“I hope to see Joseph compete for second place in the state,” Miller said, noting Class 4 features a clear favorite to win the event. “I hope he puts himself in a position to be second in the state of Missouri and drop 10 seconds or so from what he did last year. He had a breakout race there last year. I’d like to see him put himself in a great position, stay controlled and relaxed and move up confidently and comfortably.”
Also competing for Webb City’s boys will be Roman Borboa, Owen Weller, Dustin Brockmiller, Samuel Winesburg, Jose Antillon and Shane Winters.
“I think our boys are ready to have a big performance,” Miller added. “It’s just a matter of getting it done. If we all do our jobs, we’ll be in the mix.”
After taking another moment to reflect on his odd senior season, Dawson admitted he wants to go out on a high note.
“It’s my last race,” he said. “So I’m trying to go out there and hopefully run as best I can.”
Miller is confident Dawson will do just that.
“Now he’s healthy,” Miller said. “And now he’s ready.”
