Girls
Team Qualifiers and Podium Contenders
District 1 Qualifiers:
Clayton Rockwood Summit Festus Farmington
District 2 Qualifiers:
West Plains Rolla Bolivar Webb City
District 3 Qualifiers:
Father Tolton Regional Catholic St. Joseph's Academy MICDS Ft. Zumwalt South
District 4 Qualifiers:
Kearney Smithville Platte County Warrensburg
Top 5 Contenders
Clayton
Seemingly around since the dawn of time, Clayton appears ready to finally land themselves on the state podium for the first time in their school's long history. They've made huge strides since last year's 7th place finish, led by seniors Sophia Peligreen and Isabel Erdmann. Their only losses this year have come to Cor Jesu and Lafayette Wildwood as they've been able to hold serve against everyone else they've faced up to this point. The pack is tight, but the top 5 need to stay strong and all do their jobs because the depth at 6 and 7 may not be enough if someone falters. Their floor is their first state trophy in the 114 year school history, but the ceiling, and more likely outcome, is a team championship.
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Father Tolton Regional Catholic
It's not often that a team moves up a classification and immediately competes for a state championship in the higher class. Coming off of a Class 3 team title, the Lady Trailblazers are ready to compete for the same spot, but in Class 4 now. Led by superstar Elyse Wilmes and Madison Taylor, the squad who can see Gans Creek from their school's front windows should be able to challenge Clayton and Kearney for the top spot. The only question is if their number 5 can step up big, close the gap, and finish the job for them. They're coming off an impressive and seemingly easy victory over St. Joseph's Academy and MICDS in District 3 on Saturday and will come in with their sights set on the biggest trophy MSHSAA is offering the Class 4 squads on Friday.
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Kearney
It was an impressive victory for Kearney at the District 4 meet on Saturday. Even without frontrunner Alexandra Kintsler, the rest of the crew packed up in places 5-9 to beat Smithville by 22 points. With Kintsler back in the mix, the Lady Bulldogs have a shot at a very high finish on Friday. They were third last year and returned all 7 girls so they are experienced, battle-tested, and should be ready to roll against the state's best once again.
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Rockwood Summit
Rockwood Summit brought home the fourth place trophy last year, but it seems like their run this year has been overshadowed by new rival Clayton who's seemingly leap-frogged them for STL Suburban Class 4 supremacy. After finishing 72nd last year at state, sophomore Caterina Rossomanno has stepped up big time for the Falcons and appears to be the clear number 1 they needed while fellow sophomore Reese Martin regained her form. Both girls, plus veteran senior Ella Thier, will provide a 1-2-3 punch that could guide their team to another podium finish.
West Plains
The Lady Zizzers lost five seniors to graduation last season, but they've been able to reload with the help of three solid freshmen. One of those freshmen, Emily Ritter, leads the way now with a best of 19:26.35. She was 4th in District 2 and should find herself in the top 20 on Friday. After her, there are several solid runners like Jorden Tollenaar and Addison Sanders (21st as a freshman last year) who could help West Plains remain on the podium.