SWCCCA Cross Country starts off right

With everything that is going on in the world these days, and coming off a canceled Spring Sports season, it is exciting to finally get back to a little bit of normal. On Saturday, September 5, the El Dorado Springs Cross Country team travelled to Bolivar for their first meet of the 2020 cross country season. There were a few differences from the past, like wearing masks to the meet and at the meet, when not running or warming up, but athletes were willing to do it, as opposed to losing the season.

The race is sponsored by the Southwest Cross Country Coaches Association, otherwise known as SWCCCA, and has grown to a huge meet the last several years. Teams from all over Southwest Missouri attend and compete. They run everyone together and then sort out the results by class size afterwards. This year, cross country is bumping up to 5 classes, rather than the 4 classes that we have had in the past. That means El Dorado Springs will be bumping up to compete as Class 3 this year. Due to the huge size of the meet, spectators were not allowed to show up, but the athletes made the best of things, and I think, were just happy to get going. They did show the race via live-stream to help out the parents.

The girls varsity race got the day started off right. Hannah Klaiber led the way, finishing 2nd in class 3, with a time of 21 min 56 seconds. Hannah also received a plaque for being named the 2019 SWCCCA Class 2 Female Cross Country Runner of the year. Others that placed along with Hannah were: Morgan Mitchell, 6th with a time of 22:48, Colbie Wood, 7th, with a time of 22:56, and Kenli Rader, 8th, with a time of 23:18. These girls were joined with Hanna Ridgway and Maddison Hendricks to take first place as a team in the Class 3 division. They got the season started off well. Alivia Bowen and Myka Barger also competed in the JV division to get their high school career started.

The boys varsity also had a good day. Daelen Ackley led the way, not only winning the class 3 division, but also becoming the overall race winner, winning in a time of 15 minutes 45 seconds. He took control of the race during the 2nd mile and really, never looked back. Daelen, also received a plaque for being named the 2019 SWCCCA Class 2 Male Cross Country Runner of the year, to join Hannah and sweep the awards for El Dorado Springs. Also, placing along with Daelen were: Connor Goatley, 7th, with a personal best time of 17:31, Trevyn Garringer, 8th, with a time of 17:40, and Blayze McCullough, 14th, with a time of 19:01. These four were joined by Garrett Klaiber, James King and Riley Quinlan to finish 3rd as a team, behind two solid teams of Lamar and East Newton (which was 3rd in State last year). We should be at full strength in a week or two. Kyan Roberts and Avery Acevedo got their high school career started here, running in the JV division.

In the middle school races, Logan Fisk, was the lone medalist on either side, finishing 14th overall, on the boys side. Kandon McGuirk also competed on the boys side with Logan. On the girls side we had Lela Brown lead the way, followed shortly behind by Maya Steward and Alisabeth Bowen.

Overall, Saturday was a good day. Everyone competed well and took advantage of the good weather available to them. This was a great start to the year. We are looking to get back, some of our athletes that were not able to join us, due to health reasons, soon. Our next race will be next Friday, September 11, in the evening at the Nevada public golf course.

CROSS COUNTRY GIRLS – Hanna Ridgway, Alivia Bowen, Colbie Wood, Morgan Mitchell, Hannah Klaiber, Maddison Hendricks, Kenli Rader, and Myka Barger

CROSS COUNTRY BOYS – Front row-Garrett Klaiber, Blayze McCullough, Avery Acevedo, Connor Goatley and Kyan Roberts. Back row-Trevyn Garringer, Riley Quinlan, Daelen Ackley, Gavin Ring and James King