By KMA’s Derek Martin

KMA Sports presents the All-KMAland Missouri Girls’ and Boys’ Cross Country Teams. Following a strong season of running in KMAland Missouri, these athletes are honored as the best in the area.

This year’s All-KMAland Missouri Girls’ Cross Country Team includes three juniors, three sophomores and one freshman. They are: Norah Watkins, sophomore, Rock Port; Jayla Irvine, junior, East Atchison; Abigail Atkins, freshman, Mound City; Kayte Pankau, junior, Mound City; Katherine Pohren, junior, Maryville; Mya Wray, sophomore, Platte Valley; and Allison Riley, sophomore, Platte Valley.

Watkins was the third-ranked sophomore in the entire state in Class 1, finishing the season in fourth place for the Lady Blue Jays. She also claimed championships this year at Savannah and Falls City and was the runner-up at the district meet and at meets hosted by St. Joseph Christian, Rock Port, Tarkio, Maryville and Mound City. What a year!

Irvine claimed a sixth-place finish in the 275 Conference meet this season while adding a seventh in Mound City and a ninth at the district meet. She also had medals at Johnson County Central (11th), Maryville (12th) and Mount Ayr (14th). Irvine finished out the season in 24th at the Class 1 state meet.

This year’s All-KMAland Missouri Boys’ Cross Country Team includes four seniors, two juniors and one sophomore. They are: Augustus Heintz, Senior, Rock Port; Connor Blackford, senior, Maryville; Riley Blay, senior, Nodaway Valley; Bradley Deering, junior, Maryville; Nicholas Ivey, sophomore, Mound City; Dylan Masters, junior, Maryville; and Keaton Zembles, senior, Mound City.

Heintz had nine medals this season, including seven finishes within the top five. His top finish was a third at the 275 Conference meet, as well as at Mound City and Tarkio. He took fourth at Falls City and was fifth at Rock Port, Savannah and at his Class 1 district meet. Heintz was 15th at Maryville before taking 31st at the Class 1 state meet.