PR-fect day on the course

Heading into last weekend’s meet, Kingfisher High School cross country coach Kerri Lafferty knew there was a chance for her runners to have individual successes.

“Their course is pretty flat,” said Lafferty of the layout for Chisholm/OBA Cross Country Invitational on Saturday in Enid. “So we knew there was a real possibility that our times would drop.”

They did.

All of them.

Every single one of them.

“It was such an amazing day for the boys and girls,” Lafferty said.

Once again, the Lady Jackets left a meet with a team title.

KHS scored 56 points and had all five scorers in the top-20.

Weatherford was the runner-up with 78 points and Hooker third with 83 in the 18-team race.

Three of Kingfisher’s scorers were in the top-10.

Zoey Evans was sixth, Katon Lunsford seventh and Emmy Lunsford ninth.

Even better, said Lafferty, was that all three ran the 3,200 meter course in less than 13:00, which has been a goal for this part of the season. (Ed. note: The placings and times for all KHS runners can be found at the far right of this page.)

Andrea Becerra placed 14th and ran just .7 over the 13:00 mark.

Chesni Newkirk was 21st overall, but 20th in the team standings.

Jacee Mueggenborg and Hannah Francis weren’t far behind Newkirk.

“We can’t say enough about the leadership on this team,” Lafferty said. “Zoey, Katon and Andrea have been pushing each other and these girls during workouts all season.”

It has resulted in not only their strong performances but the emergence of Emmy Lunsford, Newkirk and Francis, all freshmen, and Mueggenborg, only a sophomore.

“Our times are where they need to be right now,” Lafferty said. “We just need to make sure we keep everyone mentally and physically healthy for the remainder of the season.”

The team could get another chance to run the same course.

It will likely be the landing spot for Kingfisher when the OSSAA announced regional assignments soon.

KHS boys take 7th

The KHS boys were able to field a full team and placed seventh out of 15 squads.

Jayden Newkirk led the way as he was sixth out of 174 runners.

Connor Hine was four spots behind him.

“They ran so well,” Lafferty said. “They have been running with such strength and confidence. It’s exciting to see their success.”

Oklahoma Christian School won the meet with 40 points.

Kingfisher scored 206 points.

Snodgrass, Starr lead KMS girls to 1st

The Kingfisher junior high girls also won their team title.

All seven scorers for KMS were among the top-18 as the team netted just 36 points.

Weatherford was second with 63.

Scout Snodgrass and Liberty Starr paced the Lady Jackets. Snodgrass was second and Starr third. Lily Lunsford was also in the top-10 as she finished eighth (sixth).

Hennessey was third in the team race with 84 points.

The Lady Eagles were led by Tayler Franklin’s seventh-place (fifth) finish. Star Torres was 12th (ninth).

Rori Wood was the top Dover runner as she finished 16th.

Middle school boys

Hennessey’s boys were fourth in the junior high race.

Brok Cooper paced the Eagles with an 18th (14th) place finish.

Will Neuman was the top KMS runner as he took sixth out of 123 contestants.

Jessy Price of Dover was the top Longhorn as he crossed the finish line 24th (20th).