Short-handed KHS girls 2nd at Watonga XC meet
FRESHMAN Liberty Starr has been the top KHS runner at all three cross country meets this season. [Photo by Chris Simon/www.simon-sports-photos.smugmug.com]
Hooker handed Kingfisher its first “loss” of the cross country season.
The Lady Jackets settled for runner-up last Saturday in the Watonga Cross Country Invitational.
KHS scored 49 points to finish behind Hooker’s 40.
Hooker was last year’s Class 2A state runner-up and returns multiple runners from that squad, including defending state champ Hollie Stalder.
Stalder won the Watonga race as she finished the 2.5 kilometer trek in 9:54.81.
All five of Hooker’s scoring runners were among the top-14 scorers.
KHS was without Ally Stephenson, who was on a recruiting trip to Iowa State University over the weekend.
Still the Lady Jackets had five runners score among the top-20.
The team was again led by freshman Liberty Starr, who was fifth overall and fourth in the placing scoring.
Starr finished in 10:27.84.
Chesni Newkirk was two spots back of Starr while Jacee Mueggenborg was 10th overall (ninth in scoring).
Katon Lunsford took 16th (11th) and Emmy Lunsford 27th (19th) to wrap up Kingfisher’s scoring.
Zaylynn Lopez was just one spot back of Emmy Lunsford.
Watonga, the defending 2A state champion team, took third with 65 points.
Hennessey was sixth with 156.
Kingfisher is currently ranked fourth among 4A girls teams.
Class 2A rankings haven’t yet been released.
The KHS boys were sixth in their team race with 157 points.
Hooker’s boys also won the team title to complete that sweep.
Conner Hine was 12th overall (10th) to pace the team.
Scout Snodgrass won her third race of the season as she crossed the finish line first in the junior high girls race.
Snodgrass won the 1,735 meter race in 6:47.56.
Lily Lunsford took seventh (fifth) to help lead the team to a second-place finish behind Hooker.
Hooker had 41 points and KMS 60.
Hennessey, led by Tayler Franklin’s 18th (15th) place finish, was third with 104 team points.
Hennessey’s boys were fifth in the junior high boys’ team standings to top local teams.
The Eagles’ Brok Cooper finished eighth (seventh) to lead his squad to 138 points.
Dover’s Jessy Price was the best local individual as he was third in the 2.5 K race in 9:36.56.