The East Atchison girls’ cross country team placed third with 62 points. The top four teams advance to the state cross country meet November 3, 2023, in Columbia, Missouri. Pictured, from left to right, are Jayla Irvine, Abbie Harms, Brooklyn Wennihan, Alexis Bywater, Bella Bywater, Kendal Straub, and Mary Laur.

 

The East Atchison boys’ cross country team placed third and will advance to state as a team. Pictured, from left to right, are Clayton Vernon, Ian Stepp, Quin Staten, Cole Anderson, Connor Morton, Mason Kingery, and Bryon Ohlensehlen.

 

District cross country was a cold, but successful day for Atchison County runners.

The East Atchison boys’ cross country team placed third overall, qualifying for state as a team. Four Wolf runners, Clayton Vernon, Ian Stepp, Quin Staten, and Cole Anderson, also qualified individually. The East Atchison Lady Wolves also placed 3rd overall as a team, qualifying for state. Four Lady Wolves, Jayla Irvine, Abbie Harms, Brooklyn Wennihan, and Bella Bywater, also qualified for state individually.

Rock Port’s Gus Heintz and Norah Watkins also qualified for state individually.

Individual results follow:

Boys – 5th, Gus Heintz, 18:17.97; 14th, Clayton Vernon, 19:27.87; 16th, Ian Stepp, 19:40.86; 17th, Quin Staten, 19:41.03; 28th, Cole Anderson, 20:17.77; 62nd, Byron Ohlensehlen, 22:35.98; 63rd, Connor Morton, 22:52.72; and 80th, Mason Kingery, 27:39.11

Girls – 2nd, Norah Watkins, 21:15.64; 9th, Jayla Irvine, 23:19.49; 16th, Brooklyn Wen-nihan, 24:42.13; 24th, Abbie Harms, 25:39.56; 30th, Bella Bywater, 27:01.59; 32nd, Kendal Straub, 28:01.83; 33rd, Alexis Bywater, 28:10.42; and 40th, Mary Laur, 31:59.81

They will all run in the Missouri State High School Activities Association Class 1 Cross Country Championships Friday, November 3, in Columbia.

Rock Port’s Norah Watkins had a strong finish with a time of 21:15.64. Norah placed second overall.

 

Jayla Irvine came in ninth place with a time of 23:19.49.

 

Coming in 16th was Brooklyn Wennihan with a time of 24:42.13.

 

Abbie Harms ran a 25:39.56 to place 24th overall.

 

Bella Bywater placed 30th with a time of 27:01.59.

 

Alexis Bywater came in 33rd with a time of 28:59.42.

 

Mary Laur finished the course in a time of 31:59.81 to place 40th.

 

Gus Heintz placed 5th with a time of 18:17.97 to advance to state.

 

Clayton Vernon placed 14th to lead the Wolves with a time of 19:27.87.

 

Ian Stepp placed 16th with a time of 19:40.86.

 

Quin Staten came in 17th place with a time of 19:41.03.

 

Cole Anderson placed 28th, completing the course in a time of 20:17.77.

 

Bryon Ohlensehlen ran a 22:35.98 and placed 62nd.

 

Connor Morton placed 63rd with a time of 22:57.60.

 

Mason Kingery ran a time of 27:39.11 and placed 80th.