Sophomore Clayton Adams of Kearney and senior Ann Campbell of St. Teresa's used the same strategy as they powered to individual Class 4 Sectional 4 victories on a crisp and cold morning at Jesse James Park in Kearney.
Adams crossed the two-mile mark just slightly ahead of senior Stephen Mugeche of Blue Springs. But Adams looked very strong by pulling away over the final part of the last mile to a victory in 15:42.3. Mugeche placed second in 15:49.6. Senior Nathan Straubel of Platte County was third in 16:12.3.
Unfortunately, a drained Mugeche collapsed right past the line and was given oxygen after the race. Adams showed great sportsmanship by coming back to see how Mugeche was, hanging around for several minutes while talking to Mugeche as he got his bearings.
The battle to be the Class 4 boys champion on Nov. 8 at the State Meet should be a great one. Adams is obviously in peak shape, and Mugeche should be right up in the top mix as well.
The four boys team qualifiers were Rockhurst, 61 points; Liberty, 63; Blue Springs, 100; and Park Hill South, 101.
In the girls race, Campbell was running stride-for-stride with senior Grace Klausen of Blue Springs South at the two-mile mark. But Campbell, like Adams, surged in the final 1.1 miles to a solid victory in 18:41.6.
Klausen was second in 18:56.3, followed by two more teammates: freshman Tori Findley in 19:00.0 and senior Ashton Henson in 19:00.8.
The four girls team qualifiers were Blue Springs South, 55; Kearney, 90; Lee's Summit North, 103; and Liberty, 104.
The talented Blue Springs South squad is in good position to get a spot high on the podium at the State Meet next week.
Here is a link to full Sectional 4 results on MoMileSplit: mo.milesplit.com/meets/186991-class-4-sectional-4#....