Gibbs, Ashton Make Class 2 Statements at Vienna
In what would typically be a less-talked-about meet in a jam-packed week of action, one would be remiss to neglect to mention the unconscious performance laid down by Steelville junior Allie Gibbs. One of the top girls in Class 2 heading into the season, Gibbs has opened up her season with a statement - watch your back, Fatima girls. She put down an incredible solo-effort 18:29 and beat her teammate, freshman Alyssa Church, by 57 seconds. Both girls were at least 1:30 ahead of the 3rd place finisher. Confirmation from the Vienna High School coach that this course was flatter than it has been in years past leads us to believe that this is legitimate. If the course was the standard 3.1 (everyone will always wonder if it was short), then we may be in for a treat in the Class 2 girls race this November.
The boys side was not without its own speedy time as Isaac Ashton from Tipton, also MoMileSplit #2 in Class 2, tied his personal best with a 16:05 burner. He also won big, beating Jerod Nolie of Bourbon by 37 seconds. Ashton has also made a strong statement in his quest to move into the #1 spot in our Class 2 rankings. Class 2 is wide open this season and Gibbs and Ashton appear to be major parts of the storylines that will be coming out of it in 2017.