Girls cross country 8th best in state

Abi Street led the Webb City girls cross country team in earning eighth-place as a team Friday, Nov. 4, at the state championships at Columbia.

Coach Dustin Miller said he is proud of Street for battling in the race to finish third. He noted that Street’s third-place is the highest place in the school’s girls program history. And she’s the first female to make all-state as a junior and senior.

Street’s time on the 5k course was 19:06.00. Her teammates, and their places are: Brooke Hedger, 67; Rachel Miller, 77; Emily Countryman, 82; Kristina Bundy, 92; Holly Capron, 106, and Aspen White, 89.

Street is the only senior among those competing at state. Miller said Countryman, a junior, finished the season strong. While Rachel Miller, a sophomore, had another great race to cap a phenomenal season. It was the first varsity meet for White, who coach Miller said had worked hard to earn her spot at state. Hedger, Bundy and Capron are freshmen.

Boys team places 12th

Evan Stevens continued to lead the boys cross country team at state, as he has all season.

The junior struggled but still ended up 11th, with a time of 16:24.70. “I’m extremely proud of his progress this season,” said coach Dustin Miller.

Mason Hedger, also a junior, “had a career race” to finish 20th, said Miller.

Sophomore Spencer Kendall (67th) also had the race of his career “when it mattered most.”

Also gaining state experience were: Andrew Dawson, freshman, 127th; Ricardo Arriety, junior, 134th, and Noah Lankard, freshman, 136th.