1-2-3 finish adds up to victory for Central

Central boys finish second at their own meet.

By Daniel Winningham

Special to the Southeast Missourian

Finding Central's lead runners Saturday afternoon in the girls race at the Central Invitational was not too difficult.

Central senior Jennifer Pancoast was the first runner across the line, finishing the 3.1-mile course in 19 minutes 46 seconds. Junior teammate Linnea Woldtvedt followed nine seconds later and senior Holly Shaffer was 19 seconds behind her for a 1-2-3 finish that keyed Central's victory.

"I'm really pleased with how we ran," Central coach Mark Hahn said. "This was our first 5K race of the season. It gives us a chance to see where we're at."

Central could be found in first place Saturday with a team score of 29 points. Arnold (Mo.) Fox was second at 74, Carbondale (Ill.) third with 76 and House Springs (Mo.) Northwest fourth with 96. Jackson scored 100 and Notre Dame 149. Ste. Genevieve, a team Hahn expected to attend and contend for team honors, was not in the field.

Emily Ponder finished 10th and Hannah Lewis 13th to round out Central's team score.

Pancoast was pleased with the team effort but not particularly impressed with her own time.

"I'm just now getting into shape, so hopefully my times start going down," she said. "Our girls team is looking really well."

Ashley Meyr led Jackson with a seventh-place finish in 21:39, while Rachel Schmidt was eighth in 21:44.

Notre Dame was led by Brooke Beussink, who finished 23rd in 24:13.

Central boys second

Fox claimed the boys team and individual title in Saturday's meet.

Ryan Harper set the pace for the boys team, finishing in 17:05. As a team, the Warriors scored 44 points to host Central's 80.

Northwest was third with 88 points, followed by Notre Dame (117), Kelly (140), Saxony Lutheran (144), Carbondale (172) and Jackson (195).

Junior John Kipper led Central, finishing third in 17:33. Senior Corey Huskey was fifth in 17:52.

"I'm really proud of our boys taking second," Hahn said. "Overall, I was very pleased with our effort."

Notre Dame was led by Greg Kanneberg, who finished fourth in 17:44.

"Greg is really running well for us at this point in the season," Notre Dame coach Bill Davis said. "He's been very consistent every single meet."

The Bulldogs reversed places with Kelly, a team they finished behind the previous Saturday in the Kelly Invitational.

Trey Maevers placed ninth in 18:01 to pace Saxony's effort.

"We're really pleased with how we did today," Saxony coach Larry Cleair said. "It's tough because we're a new program but we're up there competing with the top teams."

Central and Notre Dame will prepare for the Hancock Invitational. one of the largest meets in the state, next Saturday.

"We'll get to see our district foes and how we match up against them," Davis said.

Varsity results

Girls

Team scores -- Cape Central 29, Fox 74, Carbondale 76, Northwest 96, Jackson 100, Notre Dame 149.

Individuals winner -- Jennifer Pancoast, 19:46

Central -- 1, Jennifer Pancoast, 19:46; 2, Linnea Woldvedt, 19:55; 3, Holly Shaffer, 20:14; 10, Emily Ponder, 22:29; 13, Hannah Lewis, 22:52.

Notre Dame -- 23, Brooke Beussink, 24:13; 25, Casey Crawford, 24:24; 32, Hailey Brown, 25:53; 33, Cori Garrett, 26:06; 36, Kelli Nagel, 26:48.

Jackson -- 7, Ashley Meyr, 21:39; 8, Rachel Schmidt, 21:44; 22, Amanda Graun, 24:10; 24, Katie Grisnep, 24:17; 39, Barbra Gillard, 28:13.

Boys

Team Scores -- Fox 44, Cape Central 80, Northwest 88, Notre Dame 117, Kelly 140, Saxony 144, Carbondale 172, Jackson 195.

Individuals winner -- Ryan Harper, Fox 17:05.

Central -- 3, John Kipper, 17:33; 5, Corey Huskey, 17:52; 20, Daniel Austin, 18:29; 24, Alex Eom, 19:00; 28, Dale Brannock, 19:07.

Notre Dame -- 4, Greg Kanneberg, 17:44; 21, Austin Critchlow, 18:30; 26, Brian McCrate, 18:54; 31, Steven Eeftink, 19:13; 35, Cole Min, 19:22.

Jackson -- 14, David Welker 18:13; 37, Ira King 19:36; 41, Norman Popp 19:53; 47, Earl Popp 20:19; 56, David Presnell 22:33.

Delta -- 17, Kevin Bartels, 18:21; 23, Aaron Kinder, 18:57; 51, Amon Seabaugh, 21:15.

Saxony -- 9, Trey Maevers, 18:01.