Jackson girls cross country team takes second at Class 4 sectional

Senior Carli Knott posted a sixth-place finish time of 19 minutes, 23.74 seconds to help lead the Jackson girls cross country team to second place in the team standings and a bid to the state meet at Saturday's Class 4 sectional 1 meet on a muddy course at the West City Park in Festus, Missouri.

"They just held it together," Jackson coach Andrea Talley said. "We kind of wanted them to stay calm and comfortable, not panic. ... Hopefully we'll get another week to regain strength."

Knott has stepped into the role of leading the Indians' pack while top runner Chelsea Drum has been battling an illness throughout the latter half of the season.

"The last two races, she's stepped up and been that leader," Talley said about Knott. "Even though I know she feels for Chelsea and wants her to be there, I think she's gaining more confidence that she can go with it on her own."

Drum followed in 10th place with a time of 19:38.50 for Jackson, which finished 34 points behind Lafayette (Wildwood) in second place.

"It was quite a valiant effort," Talley said about Drum. "She's just still not back to her old self, but she was there for the team and helped our team get through."

Lafayette senior Anna West won the race in just under 18 minutes with a time of 17:58.62 to lead the Lancers.

On the boys' side, Jackson senior Alex Phillips crossed the finish line in 26th place with a time of 17:23.97 to pace the Indians, who finished fifth in the team standings to miss the state cut.

Lafayette senior Devin Meyrer won the race with a time of 15:56.38 to lead the Lancers to the boys title.

The Jackson girls will compete at the state meet Saturday at the Oak Hills Golf Center in Jefferson City, Missouri.

BOYS

Team Scores -- 1. Lafayette (Wildwood) 45; 2. Hillsboro 70; 3. Marquette 81; 4. Parkway West 89; 5. Jackson 125; 6. Lindbergh 133; 7. Parkway South 143; 8. Farmington 161

Local top five finishers

CAPE CENTRAL -- 51. Will Shivelbine (18:07.17); 75. Trevor Foeste (18:46.55)

JACKSON -- 26. Alex Philipps (17:23.97); 28. Joseph Reed (17:25.66); 41. Jackson Givens (17:48.82); 45. Caleb Bess (17:57.20); 50. Brent Werner (18:05.56)

GIRLS

Team Scores -- 1. Lafayette (Wildwood) 36; 2. Jackson 70; 3. Washington 82; 4. Parkway West 98; 5. Parkway Central 124; 6. Lindbergh 155; 7. Northwest (Cedar Hill) 183; 8. Cor Jesu Academy 190

Local top five finishers

CAPE CENTRAL -- 38. Mattie Huff (21:07.29)

JACKSON -- 6. Carli Knott (19:23.74); 10. Chelsea Drum (19:38.50); 16. Megan Barnum (20:02.92); 20. Kaylee Wilson (20:18.16); 43. Ana Compton (21:14.43)

-- From staff report