The East Atchison Cross Country Teams are sending two to State after their qualifying runs in the District competition Saturday, October 27, 2018. State qualifiers are Hunter Bennett and Zach Garrison. (Photo By Angela Garrison)

The Rock Port Cross Country Teams are sending three to State after their qualifying runs in the District competition Saturday, October 27, 2018. State qualifiers are Aubrey Watkins, Brianna Maxwell, and Alex Dewhirst, pictured above with coaches Rachel Jenkins and Angela Mace. (Photo By Rachelle Boyd)

It was a beautiful day for a race and Atchison County athletes took advantage of the fine fall weather Saturday, October 27, 2018, to give it their all in the Class 1, District 8 Cross Country competition. Rock Port athletes Aubrey Watkins, Brianna Maxwell, and Alex Dewhirst and East Atchison runners Zach Garrison and Hunter Bennett all qualified for State competition with their top 15 District finishes. The Rock Port girls’ team also finished 4th overall with a time of 2:03:34.21.

In the girls’ race, Aubrey Watkins placed 7th with a time of 22:29.61. Brianna Maxwell placed 13th with a time of 23:29.40. In the boys’ race, Alex Dewhirst placed 7th with a time of 19:32.34. Zach Garrison placed 13th with a time of 19:45.47 and Hunter Bennett placed 15th with a time of 19:49.96. The runners will compete for a State title or medal Saturday, November 3, 2018, at Oak Hills Golf Center in Jefferson City at 11:20 a.m.

The other Atchison County competitors who ran in the Class 1, District 8 competition and their times and places include: GIRLS – Rock Port – Sophie Brumbaugh, 22nd, 24:23.62; Rebekah Lucas, 25th, 26:14.81; Harlee Pritt, 26th, 26:56.77; and Emma Pankau, 31st, 27:36.86; and East Atchison – Hannah Brown, 38th, 30:38.35; and Haley Garrison, 40th, 35:27.33; and BOYS – Rock Port – Gage Maxwell, 26th, 20:57.57; Remington Stoner, 37th, 22:20.57; and Ethan Brumbaugh, 44th, 23:17.74; and East Atchison – Jordan Graf, 31st, 21:41.72.