District 5
Location: Hermitage, MO (Lake Pomme de Terre State Park)
Teams: Climax Springs, Crocker, Fair Play, Hermitage, Humansville, Jasper, Liberal, Macks Creek, Marion C. Early, Stoutland, Vienna, Walnut Grove, Weaubleau
2017 Team Qualifiers: Boys - Hermitage (39), Fair Play (56); Girls - Hermitage (19), Laquey (40)
Top Returners (2017 Place): David Storment - Fair Play (2nd), Madi Sutt - Hermitage (2nd)
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Easton Sabala has moved on to college and Liberal and Weaubleau have moved in. This should make District 5 very interesting.
Chase Ratliff returned for the 2018 cross country as the top returner from 2017's state meet after he finished second to Sabala in Jefferson City. The Weaubleau senior hasn't skipped a beat this season as he boasts a 16:42.80 personal best as well as three other performances between 16:50-17:10. For Class 1, that's typically the sweet spot for success and Ratliff should not have much of a problem winning this one based on his track record. But, if anyone was to unseat Ratliff, it could be any of the next four boys behind him. Liberal's Dalton Hendrix, Jasper's Hunter Hinds, and Fair Play's Noah Ruthledge/Codey Shuler duo are all very close to each other and very close behind Ratliff. But don't forget about last year's runner-up David Storment or Hermitage's new #1 Josh Galloway.
Hermitage's seven-year state berth streak may in jeopardy on Saturday as Liberal, Weaubleau, and Fair Play are all sitting ahead of the Hornets according to our virtual meet. Liberal, coming off a third place finish at last year's state meet, are looking to make their third straight trip to the big dance while Weaubleau looks for trip number two.
Freshman Chloe Lake leads the way for the Liberal Bulldog juggernaut in the girls competition. Boasting 6 of the top 14 girls in our virtual meet, Liberal appears ready to cruise to victory in this one as a team. Kaylee Foster could play spoiler for either Chloe or her sister Cailee's individual title, though, as the seasoned Fair Play junior looks for her first career district title. Liberal would be making their third straight trip to state, as well, and should be joined by Marion C. Early. MCE hasn't seen the state meet as a team since 2012.
Lake Pomme de Terre Course:
