Blake Morris (Notre Dame - Cape Girardeau)
Morris has raced three times so far this season, and each time has ran a sub 16 5K. This weekend he made the trip to Joplin to run in the Missouri Southern Stampede and walked away with a third place finish and a new PR of 15:26. That's the fastest time in Missouri so far this season, and he's easily the hands down favorite to win the Class 3 State Title this Fall.
Elizabeth Stinson (Liberty North)
The Liberty North senior had already started the season hot with a 2nd place finish and a win at Tim Nixon and Ray-Pec, and she kept that going this weekend at Missouri Southern. She took home a second place finish in the loaded field, and ran MASSIVE PR of 18:31 which currently sits as the second fastest time in the State so far this season.
Daelen Ackley (El Dorado Springs)
The super sophomore is now 3 for 3 this season, winning each of of his first three races. This past weekend he ran at Missouri Southern, and broke the 16:00 barrier for the first time with a time of 15:43 to win the Gold Division. This is the fastest time so far this season in Class 2, and he'll look to keep improving as he competes for a State Title at Gans Creek later this year.
Brock Wooderson (Blue Springs)
Wooderson has been one of the bigger surprises in the State here in the early going. He had been a good runner the last couple of seasons, but this year he has made the leap into the "great" runner category. He picked up the victory at Tim Nixon in week 1, and was 6th at Forest Park. This weekend he placed 6th at Missouri Southern with big PR of 15:40, which is his first time sub 16:00. He now owns the forth fastest time in the State this year, and will look to keep the momentum going.
West Plains Girls
West Plains loves Missouri Southern. They always do well at this meet, and this year was no exception. They picked up the team title in a loaded field with several state ranked teams, and also several top teams from out of state. They held a team average of 19:33 as well, and will likely move up in the State rankings next Sunday and yet again will be competing for a trophy at the State Meet.
Frances Luna & Adrienne Luna (Cor Jesu)
Cor Jesus has been a surprise contender so far this season, and their 1-2 punch is pretty deadly. The Luna sisters are off to a good start and this weekend they showed up big time at the Missouri Southern Stampede. Frances took 9th place with a big PR of 19:04, and Adrienne was right behind her in 10th with a big PR of 19:05 as well. Look for these ladies to keep moving up, and Cor Jesu to rise with them.
Annie McCord (Lee's Summit North)
The Lee's Summit North Senior has been off to a good start this season, and as moved up in place each meet. She was third at Tim Nixon, 2nd at Ray-Pec, and picked up the victory this weekend at the LSN Solsberg Invitational. She ran 19:06 on her way to victory, which is a nice PR and currently sits as the 14th fastest time in the State this season.