Mugeche, Findley Named Gatorade Runners of the Year for Missouri

Kyle Deeken

Are you surprised?

After undefeated cross country seasons in 2017, Blue Springs senior Victor Mugeche and Blue Springs South senior Victoria Findley have earned 2017 Gatorade Runner of the Year honors for the state of Missouri. 

Mugeche is coming off one of the most dominant seasons by any male cross country runner in state history. As previously mentioned, he went undefeated this cross country season, but he earned major victories throughout the season at races such as Greg Wilson Classic, Forest Park Cross Country Fest, Rim Rock, Capital City XC Challenge, KC Gold Conference, C4 District 7, C4 Sectional 4, and, of course, the Class 4 State Meet.


After a stellar career, Mugeche was finally able to bring home his first individual gold on the state level and help his Blue Springs squad win their first state title as a team since 1982. 

Mugeche also represented Missouri well at both the Foot Locker and Nike Cross Regional meets this November, running 15:28.90 and 15:31.20 respectively and finishing top 15 in both. He set a personal best of 15:11.40 this season at Greg Wilson Classic. 

Watch our interview with Victor after his individual state championship: 


Findley used a state championship in the 3200 last spring and her first two sub-5:00 miles to launch into an equally dominant cross country on the girls side.


The Blue Springs South senior also finished an undefeated regular season with big wins at many of the same meets as Mugeche. She was also victorious at Greg Wilson Classic, Forest Park Cross Country Fest, Rim Rock, KC Gold Conference, C4 District 7, C4 Sectional 4, and Class 4 State, as well the enormous Chile Pepper Cross Country Festival. In ranking the top times from girls across the entire state, Findley boasted the top five times of anyone (including her two postseason races) and never ran slower than 18:40.

Only nine other girls in the entire state ran under 18:40.

Her personal best of 17:33.09 came from her junior campaign, but she broke 18:00 again three times this season. She also helped her Blue Springs South squad bring home a fourth place trophy at this year's state meet. 

Watch Findley talk to Chris Auckley after her first state cross country title.


Both Mugeche and Findley have already announced their commitments to the University of Missouri 


You can see all of the award winners from this cross country season here.