Southeast Missourian Player of the Week: Brandon Shemonia

Scott City cross country runner Brandon Shemonia is the Southeast Missourian Player of the Week.

Shemonia, a junior at Scott City, finished in second place at the Class 2 state meet for a second year in a row on Saturday.

He finished the course the course at Oak Hill Golf Course in 16 minutes, 17.40 seconds. That was 10 seconds behind the first place winner but a whopping 1 minute, 10 seconds faster than his previous personal best time on the course.

"It would make my high school career," Shemonia told the Missourian when asking about his desire to win a state title. "I've been second two years in a row and it's been pretty heartbreaking, even though I'm happy with what I did and the guys who beat me were pretty good."

Shemonia's coach, Travis Schiwitz, said there is more room for improvement.

"That's a pretty big jump, but I could see him getting a little bit better next year," Schiwitz said.

For now Shemonia has two second-place medals and one big goal left to achieve during his senior season.

"He'll take it, and I guarantee you he'll work harder for it next year," Schiwitz said.