Rock Port State Cross Country send-off

Rock Port State Cross County qualifiers Aubrey Watkins, Brianna Maxwell and Alex Dewhirst head down Blue Jay Hall as the band plays the Rock Port Fight Song.  The send-off was held on Friday, November 2, 2018, as these athletes load up and head to Jefferson City.

EA State Cross Country send-off

A send-off was held for high school State Cross Country qualifiers Zach Garrison, left, and Hunter Bennett, middle, on Friday morning, November 2, 2018. The two East Atchison runners competed at State that weekend.         (Photo By Angela Garrison)

Aubrey Watkins placed 30th in the Class 1 State Cross Country competition with a time of 23:14.13. (Photo By Dana Zembles)

Brianna Maxwell (left) placed 51st in the Class 1 State Cross Country competition with a time of 24:26.52. (Photo By Sarah Watkins)

Zach Garrison placed 54th in the Class 1 State Cross Country competition with a time of 19:17.60. (Photo By Angela Garrison)

Hunter Bennett placed  112th in the Class 1 State Cross Country competition with a time of 20:16.52. (Photo By Angela Garrison)

Alex Dewhirst placed 146th in the Class 1 State Cross Country competition with a time of 21:24.51. (Photo By Dana Zembles)

The Missouri State High School Athletic Association held its state cross country competition Saturday, November 3, 2018, at Oak Hills Golf Course in Jefferson City, Mo. Five Atchison County runners competed in the Class 1 event.

Rock Port’s Aubrey Watkins led the pack for the local girls with a 30th place finish and a time of 23:14.13. Lady Blue Jay Brianna Maxwell followed close behind, placing 51st with a time of 24:26.52. The girls did an outstanding job, especially considering there were a total of 154 girls in the Class 1 race.

In the men’s race, East Atchison’s Zach Garrison led the local runners with a 54th place finish and a time of 19:17.60. East Atchison runner Hunter Bennett finished 112th with a time of 20:16.52. Rock Port’s Alex Dewhirst placed 146th with a time of 21:24.51. These boys should be commended as their field was even larger than the girls, with 179 total runners.