District Watch: Cross Country – Boys Chase Three-Peat; Both Teams Seek State Berths
West Plains will race Saturday to extend two remarkable State-qualification streaks.
The Zizzer boys are seeking their 49th consecutive trip to State, while the Lady Zizzers are pursuing their 43rd. Both teams compete October 31 in the Class 4 District 2 meet at Bolivar Municipal Golf Course. www.ozarkssportszone.com
The boys are also chasing a third consecutive Class 4 state championship. The Lady Zizzers have finished second at State three years in a row. Before either team can add to those accomplishments, it must qualify Saturday for the November 6 state meet.
Boys: Five in the Top Nine at Conference
West Plains won the Ozark Mountain Conference boys’ championship with 21 points, finishing ahead of Bolivar’s 46.
Hunter Stanley took first, Blake Romans second, Joseph Roberson fourth, Chaska Shearin fifth, and Dylan Wade ninth. Just over a minute separated the Zizzers’ first and fifth finishers. wkyzbfnhunrtyqjewpna.supabase.co
Those results give West Plains an encouraging starting point for districts. The Zizzers had four runners finish before any of Bolivar’s runners, and Wade completed the scoring five before the Liberators’ third finisher. wkyzbfnhunrtyqjewpna.supabase.co
That matters because a team’s score comes from its first five finishers. Keeping several Zizzers close to the front gives West Plains a better chance of finishing ahead of its district opponents.
Bolivar is a useful comparison: the Liberators finished fourth at last year’s Class 4 state meet. West Plains’ recent win over them is a positive sign, although it does not establish how the Zizzers compare with every contender across the state. www.mshsaa.org
The immediate goal is to qualify Saturday. A chance to defend the state championship comes next.
Girls: Conference Win Gives West Plains Reason for Confidence
The Lady Zizzers won the October 16 conference meet with 32 points, finishing ahead of Bolivar’s 44.
Kaebrynn Gunter won the individual championship in 18:50.05. Lena Finke placed third, Libby Hart fifth, Abigail Mongillo sixth, and Jane Cobb 19th overall. wkyzbfnhunrtyqjewpna.supabase.co
Gunter, Finke, Hart, and Mongillo gave West Plains four of the first six finishers. Cobb completed the team score, helping the Lady Zizzers secure the 12-point victory. wkyzbfnhunrtyqjewpna.supabase.co
That performance showed the Lady Zizzers can win as a team. Saturday will test them against a larger field, where places gained throughout the lineup can make a difference.
Their conference championship provides reason for confidence heading into districts. A state-trophy projection would require a broader comparison with the other Class 4 contenders; the next result to establish is whether West Plains qualifies.
What to Watch Saturday
For the boys, watch how closely their five scoring runners finish together. Their conference performance showed the value of having several Zizzers near the front.
For the girls, watch how their conference-winning lineup fares against the district field. Strong individual finishes and the combined effort of all five scorers will determine the team result.
West Plains has the opportunity to send both teams to State. Saturday’s races will decide whether they make that trip together.
Class 4 District 2 Cross Country
Saturday, October 31 • Bolivar Municipal Golf Course
#GoZizzers #TheZizzerZone
