District 8
Location: Maryville, MO (Donaldson Westside Park)
Teams: Dekalb, Maysville, Mound City, North Andrew, North Platte, Osborn, Rock Port, St. Joseph Christian, Tarkio, West Nodaway, West Platte, Winston
2017 Team Qualifiers: Boys - West Platte (31), Mound City (62); Girls - West Platte (40), St. Joseph Christian (47)
Top Returners (2017 Place): Max Davies - West Platte (1st), Ashley Riley - South Nodaway (1st)
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Max Davies torched District 8 last season. He's only finished worse than second once this season and has won five of his eight races so far. He should have no problem holding on for his second straight District 8 title, but Mound City's Lane Zembles may provide a challenge. His 17:05 is only nine seconds off Davies's season best, but head-to-head, Davies has had Zembles's number twice in their three matchups. The rest of the field is over a minute beyond these two so it should be a two-man race for the District 8 win.
As for the team discussion, West Platte is going for an unprecedented 19th straight district championship. They have not lost a district race in this millennium, but could be in trouble as West Nodaway sits only 10 points behind the Blue Jays in our virtual meet. Could David take down Goliath in this one? If so, West Nodaway would clinch their first ever state meet berth. They don't appear to be in any danger either way, though, as Mound City comes in over 30 points behind them in our virtual meet.
The story of the District 8 girls race is: Can Ashley Riley respond to Riley Arnold's recent run? Riley was the heavy favorite to defend her state title entering the season, but has fallen to third in the Class 1 rankings with the emergence of the Arnold sisters on the other side of the state. Riley could just cruise to victory in this one as she has in every race except for Rim Rock this season. Or she could ramp it up and try to answer the bell. Regardless, we see Riley as the favorite to win on Saturday and should be ready to throw down in Jefferson City. Mound City's Emma Derr should take second with any one of St. Joseph Christian's duo coming in behind them.
St. Joseph Christian is the four-point favorite over the defending state champion West Platte, but that includes Tori Orton. After transferring in from Central (St. Joseph), it appears the sophomore has been relegated to the JV ranks for the brunt of the season, even though she is the #3 scorer on the team. St. Joseph Christian should still be able to qualify to state as a team with the help of Audrey Maggart and Anna Carter, but West Platte appears poised to claim the district title and continue their quest for the repeat state championship.
