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Area athletes advance to state cross country meet
Several area high school student-athletes have survived-and-advanced from their cross country district meets, securing state-qualifying times.
Nevada High senior distance runners Calli Beshore notched her fourth consecutive berth to the Class 3 state championship meet, while NHS freshman Allie Rains also qualified in the girls’ varsity 5 kilometer (3.1 mile) event. In addition, Sheldon High School sophomore Madison Garren punched her ticket to the Class 1 state
A top 15 finish was necessary in order to advance out of Saturday’s Class 3 district meet, held at Jeremy’s Creek Public Golf Course in Lamar.
Beshore blazed to a third-place finish, while Rains slotted into 12th. As a team, the NHS girls placed third at the 13-school event, while Nevada boys finished in eighth.
“Against a loaded field we ran very well,” said NHS head coach,” Ryan Watts. “Our message all week was, ‘Top 15, or make them beat us with our best time.’”
Added Watts: “If this was to be our last meet of the season, we wanted it to be our best performance. We are very proud of the effort our team put forth.”
Watts said Beshore, who clocked a bronze medal time of 20:02, set the tone for the Lady Tigers.
“(Calli led) our girls into the mix, getting us up in contention,” Watts said. “She ran a strong race, looking very relaxed and confident throughout the entire 5,000 meters.”
Watts said qualifying for state for a fourth consecutive time was a truly special achievement.
“Calli has been so consistent, that we come to expect these great performances from her,” he said. It was truly a great performance, and very few athletes have accomplished this distinguished feat. We are so proud of her — as the leader of our girls’ program.”
Watts also lauded Rains, who clocked a 21:12, on her performance.
“Allie has worked her way this season, into being one of the top freshman runners in the state,” Watts said. “She fought from start-to-finish to ensure her place in the state meet. It was a fantastic performance, to overcome the first-time district jitters, and get past the emotional side of it. Allie rose to the occasion, and did what it took to get in that top 15.”
Nevada had two other runners narrowly miss out on state-qualifying times, as freshman Avery Morris placed 20th, while fellow frosh Kaden Padgett placed 20th on the boys’s side.
“Avery ran a great race, and was (near) the top 15 for the majority of the it,” Watts recounted. “We can’t wait to see her build on this performance, in years to come.”
Added Watts: “Kaden real set the bar high for next season. It was an impressive finish, and one that he can build on going into next year. Kaden also logged a career-best time (18:03), really getting close to that milestone time of sub 18-minute — a performance he can be very proud of.”
Watts said he was througouly inpressed with the gritty performances of each of his other runners: Brooklyn Kutina-Smith (23:40), Ashley Mather (24:5), Malynn Pippin (25:45), Haleigh Leisure (27:03), Ben Sudkamp (18:45), Eli Mosher (20:32), Corbin Eastwood (21:08), Mokey Dawn (21:14), Jaden Theis (21:42), and Ethan McGinnis (23:27).
“All 14 of our varsity runners had great races,” Watts noted. “They pushed hard to run their very best, and fought to be in contention right from the start.”
Said Watts of the girls’ third-place team finish: “It was a great team performance, and one we are very proud of,” adding that being defeated by the first and second-place finishers Bolivar and Carl Junction, is “nothing to be ashamed be about.”
“We are so proud of the team performance our girls put together,” summed up Watts.
Said Watts of the NHS boys’ performance.
“It was a great day for all our boys’ runners, especially for our underclassmen — many of whom had run junior varsity all season. Moving up to varsity for the first time on Saturday. It was a tough task, physically, by racing tougher competition, as well as mentally. But, they ran well, and really got some quality experience for next season.”
With two of his runners moving on to the biggest stage, Watts reflected on the season that was.
“(It’s been) a great season so far,” he said. “(We’ve) attended the toughest meets we could, we worked all year to be our best — and it was great to see all our runners finish the year on a high-note.”
Continued Watts: “For Calli and Allie, they have one more opportunity to perform at the highest level. We are excited to see them compete this (Nov. 9 in Columbia) on the biggest stage the state of Missouri has to offer.”
Sheldon qualifier
Also taking place at the same location in Lamar on Saturday was the Class 1 district 6 meet, as sophomore Garren raced to a 10th-place finish.
Garren spent a large chunk of the race in 13th-place place, but then passed several runners as she neared the finish-line — clocking a 23:32.
Garren is Sheldon first state championship cross country qualifier since Hunter Lamphere accomplished the feat in 2014.
“Maddy continues to receive praise for her efforts from other area coaches and athletes, (about) how impressed they are with her running abilities,” said Sheldon head coach, Mike Galimberto. “She continues to amaze me as well, with her drive to succeed in this sport. And, I am so proud and happy for her.”
Like Beshore and Rains in the upcoming Class 3 state meet, the Class 1 state championship race will also be held Nov. 9, at Gans Creek Cross Country Course in Columbia.