.jpg)
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Class 3 races saw some familiar teams finish atop the podium.
Potosi earned its first boys title since 2007 with 71 points, giving the Trojans their seventh team title in total.
Potosi found itself in a tight race with Festus, which had narrowly won the district title over the Trojans the previous week.
Austin King broke up the potential 1-2 finish of Festus’ Tyler Gillam and Michael Karls, and behind him each spot became more critical as the Trojans ran toward the title. Festus finished second with 90 points.
Given the six year gap between titles, Potosi coach Steve Davis said some uncertainty sets in as to whether the approach still works. The Trojans proved that a summer of hard work does indeed generate autumn rewards.
Davis said he had expectations of getting his first four scoring runners in the top 25, and they did, but he was most impressed by freshman Caleb Gaylord in 51st (17:36). Gaylord came in on the heels of the last two Festus scoring runners and earned a team adjusted score of 37.
“Sometimes you question whether you still have anyone buying what you’re selling, but we had a hard-working group, and it all came together for them today,” Davis said. “(Gaylord) had over a 30-second PR, and you do that on that state course, that’s saying something. He really stepped up and closed the door.”
King says there is a little burden to properly represent Potosi and what the Trojans have come to mean to the sport.
“It’s very much pressure to represent Potosi because we have a legendary coach,” King said. “If we were to go out and mess around it would come back on him and make him look bad after so many years of looking good.”