With just one more night until the 2024 MSHSAA State Cross Country Championships, look back to the great 2023 Championships that produced historic performances and records.
Look below for some captioned photos from the two days and 10 races that featured great conditions for fast times. Classes 1 and 2 competed on Friday, while 3, 4, and 5 on Saturday.
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2023 Class 1 State XC Photos 2023 Class 2 State XC Photos
2023 Class 3 State XC Photos 2023 Class 4 State XC Photos 2024 Class 5 State XC Photos
WOW For Most, But Expected by Coach
Lafayette senior Natalie Barnard starts to climb a hill at the mile mark with a big lead while head coach Jill Harmon, with a stopwatch in one hand, begins to count on her other hand the runners that begin to run the turn behind Barnard. Barnard raced to a 25 second victory, beating the course record by 12 seconds in 17:12.7 to win the state title in one of the most impressive performances in Missouri high school cross country history. Barnard nearly ran her bib number, 1713. Barnard is now a freshman at the University of Missouri with sister Elissa, a sophomore, where they get to train and compete on the Gans Creek Course.
Three-Straight State Titles Selfie
The Tolton Catholic Lady Trailblazers take a selfie after claiming their third straight state cross country title at the 2023 state championships. The state title came in Class 5 after previously taking the Class 4 and 3 titles in consecutive years. They had been bumped up via the Championship Factor, which impacts private schools and a measured amount of success.
Relaxed and Rocking On
Springfield Catholic sophomore Emma Belk is all smiles and rocking on at 3100 meters into the Class 3 Girls race on her way to an 18th place finish in 19:31 to lead the Irish to an 8th place finish.