JHS CROSS COUNTRY TEAM RUNS AT HANCOCK

Carol Koenig concentrates with half a mile to go in the 5,000-meter Hancock Invitational.

Josh Minson's fifth place finish in the Freshmen-Sophomore Boys division highlighted the Jackson cross country team's appearance in the Hancock Invitational, Sept. 25.

Minson clocked in with an 18:07 time, taking fifth place. The Indians' closest follower in the race was Michael Birk, who took 38th, with a 19:33 time.

In the Varsity Girls division, Laura Unverferth and Carol Koenig both medaled. Unverferth took 26th (21:05) and King 38th (21:34). An ill Julie Wunderlich finished in the top half of the pack with a 51st place finish (22:13).

Zach Friedrich finished number 70 in the huge Varsity Boys field, with an 18:57 mark. Jeremia Keller was 118th (21:17). For the Junior Varsity Girls, Heather Sanders took 83rd (25:51), with Jessica Wilkinson right behind her in 84th place (25:52).

"The Hancock Invitational was the toughest competition of the year for the high school teams," said Coach Andrea Talley. "There were 10 separate races that day, with 200 to 350 runners in each race."

Talley called the course, run at Jefferson Barracks a "physically-demanding, hilly course." Jefferson City won the Varsity Boys division and West Plains the Varsity Girls race.