Bearcat harriers claim fourth-place team trophy

BY Gunnar Krull, Republican Sports Writer
Posted 11/13/24

COLUMBIA — With two shots at team hardware, Hermann High School cross country runners coached by Keely Uthlaut went into the 2024 Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) Cross Country Championships at Columbia’s ...

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Bearcat harriers claim fourth-place team trophy

Posted

COLUMBIA — With two shots at team hardware, Hermann High School cross country runners coached by Keely Uthlaut went into the 2024 Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) Cross Country Championships at Columbia’s Gans Creek Cross Country Course looking to also overcome steady morning rainfall.

After seeing the Lady Bearcats hit the course first, the Bearcats took their turn on a course in which conditions were deteriorating due to continued rainfall and two races on it.

Led by Nolan Kopp’s ninth-place finish in 17:15.10, the Bearcats made their climb up the team standings throughout the Class 2 Boys race until they ended up with a fourth-place team total of 139 points.

After Kopp’s performance that earned him All-State honors, fellow Bearcat harriers helping Hermann hoist team hardware included senior Conner Manning (33rd, 18:12.50), sophomore Nathan Menke (57th, 18:46.40), sophomore Ryker Ash (63rd, 18:56.80), sophomore Chase Branson (66th, 18:59.00), senior William Manning (80th, 19:27.00) and junior Eric Chorley (87th, 19:32.00).

Of the top four teams in Class 2 Boys Cross Country, three of them came out of District 3 alongside the Bearcats.

Elsberry High School claimed second-place hardware with 109 team points after placing third in the district meet the previous Saturday at Fulton High School.

Winning a district championship last weekend, South Shelby’s Cardinals edged Hermann for third place in the state with 136 points.

Fresh off a fourth-place team finish at the district meet, Hermann’s Lady Bearcats and the rest of the MSHSAA Class 2 Girls field got the first turn on a course impacted by Saturday morning rain.

Winding up with a 12th-place team total of 239 points, Uthlaut’s Lady Bearcats were led on the course by junior Alaina Heaney and her 44th-place time of 21:48.10.

Fellow Lady Bearcats on the course for big blue were sophomore Cecilia Shepard (58th, 22:06.90), junior Jocelyn Neill (101st, 23:19.10), junior Elaina Uthlaut (121st, 23:51.80), junior Grace Berkemeyer (126th, 24:06.40) and Lillian Vogelsang (146th, 24:54.60).

Finishing ahead of the Lady Bearcats in the team standings were Lexington (106), West Platte (124), Metro (129), Stockton (160), Monroe City (168), North Platte (176), Lafayette County (186), East Carter (203), Veritas Christian Academy (225), Jefferson (Festus) (233) and Alton (238).