The boys and girls varsity cross country teams had an outstanding showing at the Class 4 Sectional 1 meet on Oct. 30 at Parkway Central High School. Their impressive performance resulted in qualification for the State meet for members of both the boys and girls teams.
There are two ways to qualify: individually or as a team. If a runner finishes in the top 30 of the Sectional meet, he or she is eligible for State . If the team altogether places in the top four among all teams participating, all members of the varsity team qualify for State. Another way for a team to qualify is if five members place in the top 30.
The girls qualified as a team, while members of the boys team qualified individually.
In the top 30 for the Lady Lancers were sophomore Jessy Maddox with a time of 20:27.00 in 14th place, junior Maddie Henning in 15th place with a time of 20:29.50, and freshman Mary Augustin, who finished in 20:36.80 in 25th place.
Henning, who finished 15, was guaranteed a spot at the State meet, even if the team had not placed high enough to qualify as a team. For her, crossing the finish line was a huge accomplishment.
“It is such an incredible relief. The whole week, the anxiety builds up because it all really rests on [your performance at Sectionals],” Henning said.
“Once you get to State, it would be great to be an All-State runner, but it’s just nice to know that you made it and that’s the big accomplishment, and you just get to run the race,” she added.
Sophomore Garce Bueckendorf, though she did not place in the top 30, was just as big of a factor in earning a place at State as the girls who qualified individually.
“We had so many girls that were so close [to the top 30], so that helped us as a team,” Henning said.
Bueckendorf placed 38th with a time of 21:13.00. Before she was aware of the team qualification, she was content with the way her season had gone thus far.
“The season had ended in my mind. I was going to go cheer for the rest of the team, but I wasn’t going to State,” Bueckendorf said.
Needless to say, the news of the team qualification was received with great excitement.
“I kind of screamed, and then we had a group hug,” Bueckendorf said, laughing.
The girls placed third overall.
The only runners from the boys team at Sectionals were Senior Kurtis Harshman and sophomore Derek Legenzoff. Both finished in the top 30, earning themselves a spot at the State meet.
Harshman placed fourth with a time of 16:28.90, and Legenzoff finished in 17:04.60, taking 21st place.
Because only two runners participated, the Lafayette boys team did not place overall.
The State Meet will take place on Nov. 6 at Oak Hills Golf Course in Jefferson City.
