Bryce Gentry finishes Jackson career in state championships

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Bryce Gentry didn’t get to where he wanted on the podium but left Gans Creek Cross Country Course with another all-state medal.

The Jackson senior ran his second fastest time ever – 15:33.6 – and placed 12th overall in the Class 5 MSHSAA Cross Country Championships held on Saturday in Columbia.

“I wanted top 10 but it didn’t quite get that, but it’s an improvement from last year, so I’m super happy with it,” Gentry said.

He started off his final race with the Indians leaning on the experience from last year when he placed 17th. Gentry said that gave him the confidence he could do well this year.

He was in 38th place at the 1K marker of the 5K race but did that on purpose, starting slow to save energy. He moved up 17 spots over the next kilometer. He then worked his way up from 17th to 12th.

“I just ran my race well and I was able to pick off a couple of guys at the end.”

Gentry won three races this year, was second in one, fourth in another and 12th in two – both at Gans Creek. He ran this same course on Sept. 23 and did so in 15:58.30, dropping nearly 25 seconds from that time on Saturday.

Gentry was an all-state runner the past two years and qualified for state all four years for Jackson. He set a new personal best of 15:27.80 while winning the silver medal at the Class 5 District 1 meet. He also became the team’s record holder in the 5K after winning the SEMO Conference Meet for the second and final time in his career.