Oak Ridge boys fifth in state cross country

The Oak Ridge boys cross country team came up just short of a team state medal for the second straight year.

Oak Ridge finished fifth Saturday at the Class 1 state meet in Jefferson City, Mo. The Blue Jays scored 142 points to place behind fourth-place Valle (128). West Platte won the title with 87 points.

"Last year we missed out by four points," Oak Ridge coach Jason Niswonger said. "We improved our score by like 40 points this year. We knew it would be a lot tougher going in."

Senior Ethan Seyer concluded an impressive career for the Blue Jays by finishing 10th. His time over the 5-kilometer course was 17 minutes, 35.12 seconds.

Seyer earned his third all-state honor. The top 25 finishers are recognized as all-state.

"He's been top 10 twice and an all-stater three times," Niswonger said. "He barely missed out his freshman year. He had an amazing career and he's a great kid. He and Corvin (Schoen) were the backbone of our program the past four years. We never finished lower than seventh (in the state) with those guys."

Oak Ridge junior Lexi Wunderlich also gained all-state status with a 14th-place finish in 22:13.14.

"She had an amazing race," Niswonger said.

The Oak Ridge boys were the only area squad to qualify its entire team for the state meet, but several other local runners garnered all-state honors.

Cape Girardeau Central senior Billy Leighton, center, picks his way through the field while competing in Saturday’s boys Class 4 Cross Country State Championship at Oak Hills Golf Center in Jefferson City. (Kris Wilson ~ Jefferson City News Tribune Kris Wilson ~ Jefferson City News Tribune)

Central's Billy Leighton was 11th in Class 4 boys with a time of 16:21.32, the best among area competitors.

"He ran a strong race. It's a good way to end an excellent high school career," Central coach Mark Hahn said.

Chelsea Drum finished 18th in the state cross country meet. (Andrea Talley ~ Submitted photo)

Jackson had an all-stater as freshman Chelsea Drum was 18th in Class 4. Her time of 19:28.97 was the best among local girls.

"She ran awesome. We were very pleased," Jackson coach Andrea Talley said. "She's had a great freshman year. To top it off with all-state is great."

Notre Dame senior Breanna Conklin was 13th in Class 3 girls (20:08.17).

"She ran really well. We're real pleased with her," Notre Dame coach Bill Davis said.

Other area all-staters were Advance senior Braden Bien, 14th in Class 1 boys (17:53.40), and Delta freshman Jaime Hodge, 21st in Class 1 girls (22:34.77).

BOYS

Class 1

Oak Ridge -- 10. Ethan Seyer 17:35.12; 46. Jake LeGrand 18:43.87; 64. Nathan Bolin 19:03.02; 68. Corvin Schoen 19:08.94; 93. Austin Wunderlich 19:32.97; 132. Zackry Moore 20:22.06; 146; Jacob Seabaugh 20:44.42.

Advance -- 14. Braden Bien 17:53.40; 92. Curtis Gilliland 19:32.85.

Delta -- 125. Caleb Amelunke 20:03.05.

St. Vincent -- 36. Issac Bear 18:33.40; 44. Levi Krauss 18:42.73; 57. John Lipe 18:58.60; 62. Jonathon Meinhardt 19:02.42.

Class 2

Woodland -- 54. Garret Reynolds 18:29.58; 117. Aaron Yount 19:34.24.

Scott City -- 64. Jesse Perry 18:36.29.

Class 3

Notre Dame -- 40. Jacob Meadors 17:38.24; 55. Michael Nelson 17:58.61.

Class 4

Central -- 11. Billy Leighton 16:21.32.

Jackson -- 81. Jack Jeffers 17:16.97; 136. Matt Gibson 17:57.72.

GIRLS

Class 1

Oak Ridge -- 14. Lexi Wunderlich 22:13.14.

Delta -- 21. Jaime Hodge 22:34.77.

Advance -- 47. Lexis Garner 23:44.22.

Chaffee -- 103. Holly Rutherford 25:03.32.

St. Vincent -- 87. Ashley Gremaud 24:38.21.

Class 2

Scott City -- 74. Hannah Shemonia 22:44.64.

Saxony Lutheran -- 126. Rachael Gruenwald 24:31.69.

Class 3

Notre Dame -- 13. Breanna Conklin 20:08.17; 73. Ali Norder 21:39.32.

Class 4

Jackson -- 18. Chelsea Drum 19:28.97.