High school cross country: Cape Notre Dame to serve as district host

CAPE GIRARDEAU — The Missouri State High School Activities Association last Friday set districts and host sites for 2023 postseason meets.

Cape Notre Dame Regional High School was named host for the local Class 1-3 district boys and girls cross country meets.

And that will serve as a Homecoming of sorts for Kennett head coach Don Franklin, a 2000 Notre Dame graduate.

Dylan Yates placed 76th at the Arcadia Valley Invitational in Ironton on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (File photo by Eric Viccaro, staff)

“I’m excited to go back,” said Franklin, who’s looking forward to showcasing Kennett’s athletes at such a fine facility.

Cape Notre Dame Regional’s current high school was constructed in the late-1990s, and Franklin was part of its second graduating class there.

“They have a rich cross country tradition,” noted Franklin on the Bulldogs.

For years, Arcadia Valley in Ironton has served as the host site for the local district meet. But, Notre Dame won the bid this year.

Kennett has been placed in Class 3 while Senath-Hornersville will be in Class 2 and Campbell’s first-year program in Class 1.

Other schools of note set for the Class 3 meet are Dexter, Doniphan and host Notre Dame plus Ste. Genevieve and Herculaneum — the last two schools consistently among the tops in the region.

Franklin still has family connected with Cape Notre Dame. Jeremy Brinkmeyer, Don’s cousin, will be the head boys basketball coach this season. Jeremy’s wife, Meridith, is the head volleyball coach.

Cape Notre Dame’s course will feature some incline work — but it’s noted for lengthy straightaways — including one on school grounds just off Missouri Route K and sprint to the finish.

Other district host sites in Classes 1-3 are: Hollister, South Callaway High School (Mokane) and North Platte High School (Platte Ridge in Dearborn).

The MSHSAA state cross country meet is set for Friday, and Saturday, Nov. 3-4, at the Gans Creek Recreational Area in Columbia.

Saturday’s Meet

IRONTON — Kennett freshman Dylan Yates placed 76th in a time of 19:36.79 at the Arcadia Valley Invitational last Saturday.

This marked Kennett’s first official meet of the season, with Kade Anderson 90th (20:11.07). Gabriel Checkett, Blaine Roberts, Tanner Hansen and Cash Franklin also competed for the Indians.

Ricardo Gonzalez, Dunklin County’s lone state qualifier in 2022, finished 87th for Senath-Hornersville in a time of 19:57.56. Mason Williams, Adam Motes and Braden Roy also ran for the Lions.

Halle Jamerson, Tanya Martinez, Ailani Arenas, Gabriela Sierra and Emma Sample all ran in the JV girls division for Senath-Hornersville.