Running: Five Dragons qualify for state
Nathan St. Clair (Bib No. 546) recorded another top-10 finish, taking sixth in a time of 17 minutes, 15.55 seconds at Arcadia Valley Sports Complex on a cool, cloudy Saturday morning. (PHOTO BY ERIC VICCARO/Herald staff)
By ERIC VICCARO
eviccaro@stegenherald.com
IRONTON — Both Nathan St. Clair and Levi Wiegand will be returning to the Missouri State High School Activities Association state championships this week.
St. Clair recorded another top-10 finish, taking sixth in a time of 17 minutes, 15.55 seconds at Arcadia Valley Sports Complex on a cool, cloudy Saturday morning.
“It was exciting that Nathan and Levi qualified again this year,” Ste. Genevieve head coach Sierra Boyd said. “They got themselves in a competitive position from the start and stuck with it through the whole race.”
Boyd said she’s proud of all the Ste. Genevieve cross country runners for their performances — especially in light of the conditions.
Sawdust covered portions of the course where it was muddy.
“Our athletes all knew what the weather conditions and possible course conditions would be like in advance,” Boyd said. “They came mentally prepared for the cooler temperatures and wet day.”
The MSHSAA state cross country meet will take place at Gans Creek Park on the University of Missouri campus in Columbia.
The course was specifically designed for cross country a few years ago.
Wiegand punched his ticket with a 29th-place finish in a time of 18:18.58.
However, unlike last year, Ste. Genevieve’s boys were unable to qualify for state as a complete team. The Dragon boys were 10th overall at state a season ago.
Both St. Clair and Wiegand are seniors ready for their last dance on the Gans grass.
Mason Gegg placed 40th with a time of 18:45.37, Adam Oder was next in 66th (20:49.38), Shay Coleman 78th (21:39.37) and Trey Bloom 83rd (21:45.83) in a field of 115 runners in the Class 3 boys’ race.
On the girls’ side, three Dragons will be competing at state — with freshman Hollyn Zangaro a first-time runner.
Zangaro managed to stick with the lead pack most of the way en route to an 11th place finish in 21:14.87.
Dakotah Medows will return to state based on her 22nd-place finish (22:24.52) and freshman Kayden Huck makes her state debut (30th place, 23:05.54).
(Editor’s Note: For the complete story and statistics, subscribe to either the print or electronic editions of the Ste. Genevieve Herald. Subscribe: 1-573-883-2222.)
