Woodland boys runners win district title

Woodland High School's boys and girls cross country teams took part in a Missouri High School Athletic Association Class 2, District 1 Saturday, Nov. 2, at Arcadia Valley.

Each runner turned in their best time of the season and six were All-District, which qualifies them individually to run at the MSHSAA State Championship meet Saturday, Nov. 9.

Junior Calvin Layton crossed the finish line in 16 minutes, 44.24 seconds. For that he earned the distinction of being the event's district champion. Senior teammate Hayden VanGennip was less than eight seconds behind (16:52.16, third). The remaining Woodland competitors in the boys' varsity competiton were: junior Drew Garner (17:39.4, 14th); sophomore Seth Wilkinson (17:50.71, 16th), sophomore Rawlend Filer (17:50.94, 17th). Sophomore Jude Seidelman was 47th (19:21) while senior Bryer Sauls placed 52nd (19:31.98). A total of 139 boys completed the Class 2 race.

The boys team earned a team District championship plaque for the second year in a row, qualifying the entire team of seven runners to compete for another State championship.

Woodland, with 51 points, was comfortably ahead of second-place Jefferson (76 points). East Carter was third (117 points). Kelly (196) was sixth, St. Vincent Perryville was eighth (225), Saxony Lutheran placed ninth (243) while Bloomfield was 11th (286). A total of 20 schools were in the boys' team competition.

Girls' finishers

In the girls' competition, Woodland placed sixth among nine teams with 140 points. This was just behind Brentwood (138, fifth) and Saxony Lutheran (126, fourth). Metro High (40 points) won the team competition while East Carter (79 points) and Jefferson (83 points) were second and third, respectively.

Individual results for the Cardinals were: junior Faith Rouggly (20:56.04, seventh); junior Abigail DeWitt (23:59.38, 41st); junior Lauryn Shetley (24:10.08, 45th); junior Shirley Hendricks (24:17.41, 48th); and senior Hannah Vawter (27:35.04, 72nd).

A total of 86 girls completed the district competition.

Class 1A notes

Runners from Meadow Heights, Leopold and Zalma took part in a Class 1A District competition Nov. 2.

Meadow Heights junior Alexander Seigel (18:13.3) was seventh overall while freshman Austin Umfleet (18:46.01) placed 15th. Freshman Jamey Golden (18:57.02) was 17th, freshman Kamden Hays (21:28.64) was 53rd) and senior Braeden Hays (21:41.18) was 58th. Senior Andrew Royle (23:15.2) was 71st.

For Leopold, senior Josh Horrell was 16th (18:46.01) and freshman teammate Skyler Hoesl (23:20.94) was 72nd. Zalma senior Nate Border (19:21.62) was 25th. A total of 86 boys completed the race, with Meadow Heights placing fourth among seven in the team results.

In the 5000 meter girls Class 1A competition, Leopold junior Elise VanderMierden was 14th (23:45.22) while junior teammate Piper Lincoln (31:54.38) was 48th.

Finishing for Meadow Heights were juniors Emma Statler (24:38.7, 22nd) and Alaeyah Jackson (27:28.1, 38th).