High school roundup: Central's Leighton wins Class 4 district cross country title

Central junior Billy Leighton won the Class 4 District 1 championship Saturday afternoon at Jackson City Park.

Leighton finished the 3.1 mile course in 16 minutes, 32.38 seconds, which left him with time and energy to spare.

The junior returned home, ate and went for a run.

"It's something that I usually just do," Leighton said. "Me and my coach usually talk about it the week before and say, 'All right, after the race we can still get some more work in.' That way you can kind of get some more training in that day of the race because really the main goal is state, so every race is almost kind of like a practice, too."

Leighton was among the Central and Jackson runners to take the first step toward the state meet. The top four teams and top 30 finishers advanced to the sectional meet this Saturday.

Leighton's biggest district challenge was a lack of competition.

"You can never be disappointed with a win, but I would have liked to have ran faster," he said. "I got out a little too aggressive the first half-mile to mile, and I paid for it at the end because it was getting pretty difficult, especially when you're out there all alone. I was kind of just racing the clock for most of the race, but it was a good day. I'll take it."

Leighton said he pulled ahead in the first quarter-mile and soon was racing the clock.

"Every race of the season pretty much he's been going head-to-head with Brandon Shemonia," Central coach Mark Hahn said, referring to Scott City's standout senior that frequently has finished just ahead of Leighton this season. "Brandon wasn't there today, so he didn't have that person to kind of help manage the race."

Hahn said that wasn't something Leighton should dwell on.

"He just needs to focus on what he does, and that actually is a focus for the next race and hopefully the race after that at state," Hahn said. "He has so much experience and he has worked so hard to put himself in this good position that he needs to just worry about what he does well. Everything else will be fine."

Leighton did not run on Central's cross country team last season, taking a break after a bout with Sever's disease -- a condition affecting the heels -- during his freshman year.

"I couldn't really run," Leighton said. "In track I strained my calf, and it set me back. So really I was just battling a lot of injuries my freshman year. I just needed to take a season off.

"Racing every weekend -- it takes a toll on your body, and I just needed a break. I figured my sophomore year of cross country would probably be the best year to just take a break from it for a while."

Central's Brandon Bryant also advanced to the sectional with an eighth-place finish.

Jackson Riley Talbut advanced with a sixth-place finish along with teammates Matt Gibson (19th) and Ray Hecht (29th).

Jackson senior Taylor Dickerson (19:46.47) finished second in the girls race as Jackson's entire squad advanced to the sectional with a second-place finish. The Indians finished one point behind district champion Rockwood Summit.

Jackson's top finishers included Lindsey Seabaugh (seventh), Zhao Ni Dirnberger (ninth), Meg Fridley (13th) and Brittany Hazelwood (17th).

Central's girls advanced two runners as Laura Chavez finished 10th and Maddy McDonald placed 26th.

Boys

Team results

1. Lindbergh 74; 2. Fox 88; 3. 104; 5. Jackson 137; 9. Central 187.

Top 10 individuals

(All-district)

1. Billy Leighton (C) 16:32.38; 2. Jake Bast (Oakville) 16:50.79; 3. Larry Lopez (F) 16:51.56; 4. Nick Bewen (Mehlville) 17:00.31; 5. Tommy Skosky (L) 17:00.59; 6. Riley Talbut (J) 17:01.43; 7. Eddie Albarran (Vianney) 17:06.12; 8. Brandon Bryant (C) 17:09.75; 9. Elvir Sarajlic (O) 17:15.15; 10. Jacob Luciani (L) 17:21.34.

Central -- 1. Billy Leighton 16:32.38; 8. Brandon Bryant 17:09.75; 35. Riley Duncan 18:27.01; 70. Hezikiah Wood 20:15.60; 75. Austin Pittman 21:43.27.

Jackson -- 6. Riley Talbut 17:01.43; 19. Matt Gibson 17:45.64; 29. Ray Hecht 18:11.31; 35. Noah Weatherby 18:25.57; 48. Elijah Gahm 18:50.92.

Girls

Team results

1. Rockwood Summit 47; 2. Jackson 48; 3. Lindbergh 74; 4. Poplar Bluff 126; 5. Mehlville 137; 6. Central 159.

Top 10 individuals

(All-district)

1. Melissa Brown (O) 19:14.79; 2. Taylor Dickerson (J) 19:46.47; 3. Alyssa Jones (RS) 20:07.83; 4. Laura Woods (L) 20:38.81; 5. Allison Husky (PB) 20:39.43; 6. Rachael Brekrus (RS) 20:42.93; 7. Lindsey Seabaugh (J) 20:44.00; 8. Meghan Chac (RS) 20:52.08; 9. Zhao Ni Dirnberger (J) 20:53.54; 10. Laura Chavez (C) 21:08.38.

Central -- 10. Laura Chavez 21:08.38; 26. Maddy McDonald 22:21.27; 39. Haley White 23:12.52; 43. Bridget Trepasso 23:29.61; 51. Chleo Legrand 24:09.24.

Jackson -- 2. Taylor Dickerson 19:46.47; 7. Lindsey Seabaugh 20:44.00; 9. Zhao Ni Dirnberger 20:53.54; 13. Meg Fridley 21:28.14; 17. Brittany Hazelwood 21:40.64.

Boys soccer Bayless 3, Notre Dame 2

Bayless scored three second-half goals to spoil Notre Dame's senior day.

Matt Ponder staked Notre Dame (15-7) to a 1-0 halftime lead with an unassisted goal 6 minutes into the game.

Bayless scored twice in the first 6 minutes of the second half and later moved ahead 3-1.

Notre Dame's Matt Parsons scored an unassisted goal in the 58th minute to close the gap but the Bulldogs were unable to net the equalizer.

JV -- Notre Dame 3, Bayless 0.

-- From staff reports