High school cross country: Senath-Hornersville’s Jamerson earns top-50 finish

CAPE GIRARDEAU — Senath-Hornersville sophomore Halle Jamerson had a productive cross country season coming into Saturday’s Class 2 District 1 girls race.

Jamerson has earned plenty of medals and made many memories during the regular season.

However, in such a strong field of runners, Jamerson finished 49th in a time of 24:49.33, which was 19 places away from qualifying for the state meet.

Lions boys Gerardo Castillo (544) and Adyn Goff (546) reach the three-quarter mile mark during the boys contest. (Photo by Eric Viccaro, staff)

“The district meet gave our top runners an experience to motivate them for next season,” Senath-Hornersville head coach Amber Chandler said. “We weren’t surprised by the competition since most of them have been training for this all season.”

Chandler noted the wet and cold conditions. Temperatures struggled to reach the upper 40s. Runners and fans were faced with clammy hands and persistent drizzle.

“We ran at the East Carter Invitational in the rain and mud, but the temperature at the district meet wasn’t the best,” Chandler noted.

Chandler said Cape Notre Dame’s course featured two steep downhills at the one-mile mark and a steep, uphill climb about 2.5 miles in.

“We walked the course beforehand,” the coach commented. “But, nothing can prepare you until you are “all in” with your competitors.”

Tanya Martinez was next for the Lions, taking 65th in a time of 26:50.79.

Lily Chandler, Amber’s daughter, was 71st overall (27:28.68). Hayley Barksdale was 75th (28:01.65) and Ava Bollinger 85th (30:30.91).

The Lions were ninth overall in the team standings, accumulating 207 points. Woodland was the overall winner with 57 points, 10 better than Steelville.

Madelyn Griffard from Valle Catholic snagged the individual gold medal in 20:18.94, which was more than 20 seconds better than Woodland’s Faith Rouggly.

On the boys’ side, sophomore Gerardo Castillo was Senath-Hornersville’s highest finisher in 56th spot. Castillo clocked in with a time of 20:10.83.

Ricardo Gonzalez, a 2022 state qualifier, was 69th in a time of 21:13.06.

The remaining Lions were competed were Adyn Goff (86th, 22:16.22), Braden Roy (95th, 22:47.50), Jacob Chapman (107th, 25:42.76) and Mason Williams (108th, 25:53.73).

Woodland was the boys’ team champion — scoring 56 points — and winning by a wide margin over St. Pius X of Festus (135).

Reed Layton, a senior from Woodland, took the gold in a stellar time of 16:38.01, which was 20 seconds ahead of his brother, Calvin Layton, who is just a sophomore.

Senath-Hornersville was 16th overall in the team standings (370).

There were 93 entrants in the girls race and 114 in the boys.

KENNETT DOESN’T RUN

The Kennett boys cross country team was expected to compete in the Class 3 boys race, however, the team didn’t make the scheduled time of 9 a.m.