Jackson girls cross country runners earn trip to state meet

Andrea Talley was a little nervous that her team might not make it through Saturday's Class 4 Sectional 1 meet.

Her nerves were calmed when the final results were announced.

The Indians placed fourth, good enough to send the team to state.

"We knew with a healthy squad we had the potential to win it, or finish eighth," Talley said. "The caliber is so high at this level, one runner going down is the difference. This is considered the hardest sectional in the state."

The Indians did just enough to finish fourth and advance to the state meet, which is Saturday at Oak Hills Golf Center in Jefferson City, Mo.

Jackson's Jordan Whitener (488) and Lindsey Seabaugh (485) run up a small hill alongside Central's Jordyn Richmond (421) during Saturday's Class 4 sectional meet in Jackson. (Tim Brumitt ~ Special to the Southeast Missourian)

Jackson finished with 106 points, five points ahead of Rockwood Summit.

Taylor Dickerson led the Indians, finishing ninth in 20 minutes, 58 seconds.

"Almost from the beginning of the season it seemed like a pipe dream to get to state," Dickerson said. "But we kept our hope alive.

"Today any opportunity I got to pass people I tried to take it."

Tori Perry finished 14th, while Lindsey Seabaugh placed 28th, Jordan Whitener took 32nd and Diane Strong was 53rd for the Indians.

Central's Roy Leighton (428) rounds a corner with the main group during the Class 4 sectional meet Saturday in Jackson.

"I don't really know how to describe it," Dickerson said of going to state. "I'm so proud of these girls."

Talley said the Indians will be better prepared to race next weekend.

"I'm really proud of them," Talley said. "They did well. By next week they'll be more rested and get rid of this funky weather and get back on track and have a great state meet."

Central didn't qualify as a team, but Mary Dohogne and Laura Chavez made it through to state.

Dohogne finished 10th, while Chavez placed 26th.

Jackson's Taylor Dickerson tries to steady herself at the finish line after Saturday's Class 4 sectional meet in Jackson.

"Traditionally this is one of the toughest sectionals for girls in the state of Missouri," Central coach Mark Hahn said. "They did great."

On the boys side, Central nearly qualified for state, but had to settle for sending two runners to the meet.

The Tigers placed fifth, one spot away from going to state as a team.

Roy Leighton finished 10th, while Eric Schott took 17th.

"Last week we lost to Lindbergh by nine points," Leighton said. "Every single one of us knew we had to run our hardest to get to state. The guys haven't gone to state in like 10 years, so all the guys were really excited."

Although the Tigers didn't accomplish their goal, Leighton ran a solid race, diving at the finish line to lunge ahead of a fellow competitor.

"I wanted to beat as many guys as I could," Leighton said. "I couldn't get the one guy, so I dove to try and pass as many as I could."

BOYS

Team results -- 1. Parkway West, 55; 2. DeSmet, 70; 3. Marquette, 83; 4. Lindbergh, 96; 5. Cape Central, 116; 6. Parkway Central, 138; 7. Oakville, 150; 8. Fox, 174

Local finishers

Jackson -- 76. Ray Hecht, 20:07

Central -- 10. Roy Leighton, 17:41; 17. Eric Schott, 17:53; 39. Alex Crawford, 18:23; 42. Colin Summers, 18:30; 48. Billy Leighton, 18:46

GIRLS

Team results -- 1. Eureka, 79; 2. Kirkwood, 89; 3. Lindbergh, 93; 4. Jackson, 106; 5. Rockwood Summit, 111; 6. Parkway Central, 114; 7. Marquette, 128; 8. Cor Jesu, 132

Local finishers

Jackson -- 9. Taylor Dickerson, 20:58; 14. Tori Parry, 21:16; 28. Lindsey Seabaugh, 21:38; 32. Jordan Whitener, 22:05; 53. Diane Strong, 23:10

Central -- 10. Mary Dohogne, 21:05; 26. Laura Chavez, 21:35; 50. Megan Daly, 23:05