Boys cross country reflects on fifth place State finish
Taking a break from running and previewing the State Meet course, the boys cross country team pose in their superhero costumes. In an attempt to keep things light and have fun before the State Meet race, the team dressed up in their costumes on the Friday before their Saturday morning competition.
On Nov. 4, the boys cross country team and senior Mollie Rogan competed in the State Championship Meet in Jefferson City, MO.
After placing third in both the District and Sectional Meet, Rogan was the only runner on the girls team to advance to State. Rogan finished in 81st place at State.
The boys placed fifth as a team, missing out on a team trophy by just four points. Two of the boys placed in the top 30 and earned an All-State recognition. Senior Nassim Oufattole finished sixth and junior Harrison Brown placed eighth.
The boys went into the race with hopes of earning their program’s third State title, but they finished 42 points shy of Blue Springs South, the Class 4 champions.
“As a team, we were hoping to place first, but we weren’t able to come together that day to make it happen but that happens with running. When you race every weekend during the season, you have good days and bad days, and we didn’t have the best day as a team,” senior David Golder said.
Despite not accomplishing their overall goal, Golder and the boys were proud of the hard work they put in to get to State.
“My favorite part of State was the excitement right before the race,” Golder said. “We have been thinking about the race and working hard since the beginning of summer for that moment. All the workouts and tons of miles were for that moment of stepping up to the line, so we could have fun and race.”
Golder plans to continue training in the off season to prepare for the upcoming track season. This spring, Brown, Golder and Oufattole will be looking to defend their State title in the 4 x 800 relay.
“Our team always meets everyday after school for winter running where we run in warm clothing and still continue to do workouts. The key part of staying in shape for cross country and track is the off season mileage, and it is very fun with our team because we’re all best friends which makes it way more enjoyable,” Golder said.
The State Meet was the last high school cross country race for Golder, Oufattole and Rogan, but all three agree cross country has had a lasting impact on them.
“I have made lifelong friendships because of cross country. The team atmosphere is so special and everyone really gets along and works hard to make each other better,” Rogan said.
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