Five runners from Mexico took on a crowded and speedy field in the Class 4 state cross country meet held Friday at Gans Creek Cross Country Course in Columbia.

Junior Thomas Peuster put in the best showing for the Bulldogs. He crossed the line in 18 minutes, 40.10 seconds, which put him 107th. Senior teammate Tyler Quinlan followed in 131st place in 19:09.60.

In the girls race, Mexico had three runners qualify for state. Sophomore Sidney Turlington led the Bulldog pack running 135th overall, finishing in 22:48.10. Senior Anna Fairchild followed in 138th in 22:55.80 and freshman Kalea Henneberry finished 141st in 23:04.30.

“We got moved up from Class 3 to Class 4 this year, which made for a very fast field of runners on both sides,” reported Mexico cross country coach Lucas Breneman. 

The Bulldogs had competed in districts less than a week earlier, so they had little time to recover and prepare for the state event. Warmer than normal conditions made proper hydration even more critical for a November run.

“I thought our kids competed well, considering,” Breneman added. “I was very happy for these runners and hope for our younger runners they enjoyed their experience and will work hard to make it back again next year.”

St. Charles West junior Lilian Jackson won the Class 4 girls title in 18:21.60. West Plains won the girls team crown.

Festus captured the boys team crown, while West Plains senior Riley Simpson won the individual title in 15:39.50.

Hoyt competes in Class 1 race

Community R-6 freshman Dylan Hoyt was the lone other runner from the county to compete at the state meet. His stellar freshman season came to a close at Saturday’s Class 1 meet. 

Also running on the Gans Creek course, Hoyt finished the Class 1 race in 59th place with a time of 18:54.30. 

Tyler Blay, a West Nodaway senior, won the Class 1 title in 16:30.30.