MHS cross country: Wells sixth at state

Monday, November 9, 2009
By CHRIS ALLEN/Sports editor

Marshall junior Katie Wells knocked almost a minute off her previous time to finish sixth in the state.
(Chris Allen/Democrat-News) [Order this photo]

JEFFERSON CITY -- An unseasonable hot day filled the medical tent Saturday at the MSHSAA Cross Country Championships in Jefferson City, but all eight Marshall runners made it through the meet.

None came through it better than junior Katie Wells, a two-time District 7 champion who was sixth among Class 3 girls. Wells medaled by finishing 23rd a year ago, but improved her time on the Oak Hills Golf Center course by nearly a minute with a 20:33.

That led the Lady Owls to 12th place among the 17 schools with 303 points. That was better than the 14th in the standings during their only other appearance at state in 1994.

Wells was Marshall's only medalist, sophomore Arozo Shahabzada (23:27) the next-best entry, coming in 99th in a field of 171 runners. Junior Stormy Morrison (24:16) was a minute-and-a-half off her pace from a year ago and wound up 119th, while sophomore Lauren McGrath (24:43) in 128th and freshman Alex Farris (25:06) in 133rd place rounded out the Lady Owls' scoring.

Freshman Sam Wells (27:15) was 156th and senior Erika Martin (27:49) came in 160th.

The only Marshall boy who made the cut was junior Nick Jenkins (18:23), who was a respectable 55th out of 159 runners in his first appearance at state.

Harrisonville senior Maksim Korolev (15:48) won the boys' race easily, by 50 seconds over Festus senior Cole Allison -- who led his Tigers to their first title by a mere eight points over defending champion West Plains, which was seeking its 14th.

The Lady Zizzers also wound up second, to Kearney, a reversal of last year's order. Clinton senior Sierra Jenkins (19:49), who won the Marshall Invitational as a freshman, won the girls' gold medal by two seconds over Potosi junior Sarah White -- a two-time runner up.

The good news for Marshall is that Jenkins and the top six girls are all underclassmen, which could mean -- with the requisite off-season work -- even better things in the offing a year from now.

Comments

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Looks like another great season for the Marshall runners and even more great seasons to come. Katie Wells is just an awesome runner and has made a name for herself all across the state. The other runners are to be complimented as well. Keep up the hard work! All of Marshall should be proud of the cross country team at MHS (including their great coaching staff)!

-- Posted by OldOwl on Tue, Nov 10, 2009, at 3:44 PM

Way to go Katie! I wish I would have made it up to watch both you and Samantha.

Congratulations to the Lady Owls!

-- Posted by stacyTX on Mon, Nov 9, 2009, at 5:29 PM

CONGRATULATIONS KATIE!!! Way To Go Girl!!!!

Good job Nick. Now next year you will be recieving a medal as well. I just know it!

Girls, you did a awesome job. So, proud of you all.

-- Posted by get a clue on Mon, Nov 9, 2009, at 1:35 PM