Wachter sizzles in her cross country debut

Jackson's Landon Wachter's first cross country meet was as good as they come.

Wachter blew away the field, finishing first with a time of 15 minutes, 25 seconds, to help the Jackson girls capture first place in the senior division at Saturday's Jackson Invitational. She crossed the line 17 seconds ahead of the second-place finisher.

"I'm used to track," Wachter said. "Knowing I had to run a long distance was kind of intimidating at first because you have a lot longer to go. But once you get into it and have all the fans, it helps boost your adrenaline and motivation."

Indians coach Andrea Talley was impressed with the performance, knowing Wachter only will get better.

"She did great," Talley said. "I think she's mentally learning how to run the races. She'll just get stronger as the season goes on. The first time you run, you're a little tentative. You can't really judge it. I think it will be a learning process and she'll get better each week. She's a great athlete and she's strong mentally. She'll just get better and better."

Jackson dominated the girls race.

The Indians' Jordan Whitener placed third (16:07), while teammate Diane Strong came in fourth (16:11).

"We all started out in a pack together and tried to take it slow," Whitener said. "Once we got to the half-mile mark, that's when we really started to pick it up and pick off people."

Talley credited the success to a practice the previous week.

"Last Saturday, we came down here and just rehearsed the whole day," Talley said. "We wanted them to go through the stretching and warming up and the drills and do everything exactly how it was today. And they ran just like they practiced."

Kelly's Cody Kern was the top local finisher on the boys side. He placed second with a time of 12:54.

"I felt strong the first mile and a half," Kern said. "[Travis] Blalock from Poplar Bluff took off with about a mile to go and kind of got a gap on me. I couldn't get that gap. I just wanted to stay with the lead pack and stay under control, and I think I did that for the most part."

Central placed third in the boys. The Tigers were led by Alex Crawford, who finished fourth in 13:03.

"We worked well as a team," Crawford said. "I thought that was the key."

Scott City's Skylar Cobb rounded out the top 10 with a time of 13:55.

Results

BOYS

Freshmen (3,200 yards)

Team scores -- Seckman 58, Kirkwood 62, Farmington 91.

Top 10 overall -- 1. Billy Leighton, Central, 10:39.53; 2. Ethan Seyer, Oak Ridge, 11:21.37; 3. Jake Burch, Farmington, 11:35.04; 4. Eric Essner, Scott City, 11:49.29; 5. J.D. Pitman, Jackson, 11:49.60; 6. Nathan Alden, Seckman, 11:55.52; 7. Billy Froelich, Hillsboro, 11:57.94; 8. Corvin Schoen, Oak Ridge, 11:58.41; 9. Ben Dore, Farmington, 12:01.36; 10. Dwight Nance, Delta, 12:02.46.

Local top fives

Central -- 1. Billy Leighton 10:39.53; 17. Christian Hampton 12:23.62; 41. Cody House 14:21.28; 46. Lane Wilson 15:02.39; 54. Tim Heinsman 16:06.02.

Jackson -- 5. J.D. Pitman 11:49.60; 22. Gentry Matthews 12:36.07; 30. Will DuPerier 13:01.65; 45. Kyle Randolph 14:48.97.

Oak Ridge -- 2. Ethan Seyer 11:21.37; 8. Corvin Schoen 11:58.41; 35. Cody Hahs 13:43.97.

Scott City -- 4. Eric Essner 11:49.29; 26. Jesse Sanders 12:43.62; 31. Jason Rambo 13:33.85.

Delta -- 10. Dwight Nance 12:02.46.

Advance -- 20. Branden Bien 12:30.81; 34. Dalton Holdenfield 13:40.34; 47. Zach Cato 15:21.57.

Meadow Heights -- 18. Hunter Bright 12:24.60; 52. Josh Douglas 15:54.98; 55. Evan Duncan 16:21.25.

Woodland -- 40. Jesse James 14:13.99; 49. Sam Santi 15:36.29; 56. Daniel Thomsen 18:37.53.

Saxony -- 39. Zach Vogel 14:08.25.

Kelly -- 48. Brian Bailey 15:33.79.

Sophomores (3,500 yards)

Team scores -- Kirkwood 46, Poplar Bluff 60, Farmington 74.

Top 10 overall -- 1. Brandon Shemonia, Scott City, 12:35.47; 2. Timmy Williams, Crystal City, 13:20.79; 3. Derrick Scales, Farmington, 13:36.99; 4. Michael Murphy, Kirkwood, 13:39.51; 5. Keegan Frink, Seckman, 13:56.14; 6. Daybn Davis, Meadow Heights, 13:57.66; 7. Sean Campbell, Kirkwood, 13:57.92; 8. Luke Delton, Poplar Bluff, 13:59.60; 9. Ray Hecht, Jackson, 14:02.06; 10. Mark Keena, Poplar Bluff, 14:06.90.

Local top fives

Central -- 21. Neil Bradley 15:08.41; 47. Brandon Bryant 17:29.02; 49. Caleb Goode 17:56.43; 51. Travis Hechst 18:15.85.

Jackson -- 9. Ray Hecht 14:02.06; 25. Nick Fosse 15:19.56; 27. Logan Green 15:40.39; 31. Tyler Gholson 15:58.65.

Oak Ridge -- 19. Jacob Light 15:05.32; 32. Garrett Matthew 16:05.92; 57. Ben Stewart 25:43.02.

Scott City -- 1. Brandon Shemonia 12:35.47; 12. Landon Robert 14:29.35; 34. Ryan Smith 16:16.57; 45. Cody Ashcraft 17:22.64.

Delta -- 30. Branden Horman 15:56.37.

Meadow Heights -- 6. Daybn Davis 13:57.66; 58. Devon Web 28:04.02.

Woodland -- 41. Mark Meek 16:56.32.

Kelly -- 14. Juan Campos 14:32.33.

Juniors (3,500 yards)

Team scores -- Central 23, Farmington 33, Kirkwood 80.

Top 10 overall -- 1. Roy Leighton, Central, 12:42.48; 2. Colton Wooldridge, Farmington, 12:45.45; 3. Eric Schott, Central, 13:03.93; 4. Christian Oldham, Kirkwood, 13:14.90; 5. Will Rohlfing, Kirkwood, 13:17.27; 6. Zach Riegert, Delta, 13:19.27; 7. Garrett Degonia, North County, 13:28.70; 8. Alex Cofer, Farmington, 13:36.81; 9. Lars Monia, Central, 13:37.08; 10. Colling Summers, Central, 13:42.81.

Local top fives

Central -- 1. Roy Leighton 12:42.48; 3. Eric Schott 13:03.93; 9. Lars Monia 13:37.08; 10. Collin Summers 13:42.81; 22. Jawuan Howard 14:27.53.

Jackson -- 37. Austin Koenig 15:29.18; 62. Luke Malone 24:55.62.

Oak Ridge -- 13. Caleb Elan 13:52.52; 17. Stephen Bolen 14:09.08; 45. Hunter Metje 16:24.85; 48. Zach Huffman 16:38.54; 58. Brandon Rhyne 18:19.65.

Delta -- 6. Zach Riegert 13:19.27; 25. Austin Seabaugh 14:43.51; 34. Branden Horman 15:12.61; 39. Charles Draughen 15:50.72; 49. Jeremiah Peikect 16:40.09.

Advance -- 40. Hunter Shoemaker 15:56.41; 44. John Middleton 16:22.13; 51. Kyndel Paige 16:44.72.

Meadow Heights -- 47. Isaac Elk 16:32.29.

Woodland -- 50. Evan Thomson 16:42.72; 60. D.J. Belcher 19:49.87.

Saxony -- 38. Kris Cook 15:47.69; 59. Jonathon Olson 18:49.37.

Seniors (3,500 yards)

Team scores -- Farmington 44, Kirkwood 70, Cape Central 71.

Top 10 overall -- 1. Travis Blalock, Poplar Bluff, 12:45.32; 2. Cody Kern, Kelly, 12:54.37; 3. Trey Viers, Kirkwood, 13:01.67; 4. Alex Crawford, Central, 13:03.72; 5. Luke Meyer, Farmington 13:08.94; 6. Dylan Drum, Woodland, 13:13.59; 7. Garrett Hogan, Hillsboro, 13:20.69; 8. Dan Neuhaus, Kirkwood, 13:47.36; 9. Alex Rhodes, Farmington, 13:48.99; 10. Skylar Cobb, Scott City, 13:55.57.

Local top fives

Central -- 4. Alex Crawford 13:03.72; 13. Desmond Howard 13:59.82; 24. Jordan Pope 15:05.18; 30. Travis Hechst 15:48.14; 33. Clinton Sargent 16:21.53.

Jackson -- 17. Josh James 14:18.28; 22. Justin Bader 14:35.47; 28. Eric Law 15:41.71.

Oak Ridge -- 23. Tyler Lappe 14:56.58.

Scott City -- 10. Skylar Cobb 13:55.57; 19. Robert Matheney 14:29.58; 29. Troy Phegley 15:42.68.

Advance -- 21. Brad Steil 14:33.52; 42. Derrick Carpenter 21:18.97.

Meadow Heights -- 36. Aaron Elk 16:42.63; 40. Nick Farrow 18:08.90.

Woodland -- 6. Dylan Drum 13:13.59; 12. Corey Chapman 13:57.93; 34. Hayden Mayfield 16:24.89.

Saxony -- 18. Rheli Oberman 14:19.61.

Kelly -- 2. Cody Kern 12:54.37.

GIRLS

Freshman (3,200 yards)

Team scores -- Kirkwood 10, St. Joe's 23, Jackson 27.

Top 10 overall -- 1. Lexi Boschert, St. Joe's, 12:25.97; 2. Samantha Dyroff, Kirkwood, 13:01.15; 3. Alex Jones, Kirkwood, 14:23.31; 4. Emily Davidson, Jackson, 14:25.74; 5. Maggie Teson, Kirkwood, 14:26.27; 6. Sierra Lamers, Farmington, 14:26.75; 7. Kierstin Godier, North County, 14:27.14; 8. Carlie Bolen, Oak Ridge, 14:27.41; 9. Ashley Miles, Jackson, 14:29.05; 10. Anna Pelch, St. Joe's, 14:33.81.

Local top fives

Central -- 16. Chloe LeGrand 14:46.53; 27. Mallory Dickson 15:42.98; 51. Breanna Girens 18:26.35; 64. Jada Guzman 20:40.22.

Jackson -- 4. Emily Davidson 14:25.74; 9. Ashley Miles 14:29.05; 14. Dakota Werner 14:39.82; 15. Kristen Cook 14:43.79; 26. Zhao Ni Dirnberger 15:40.47.

Oak Ridge -- 8. Carlie Bolen 14:27.41; 54. Crystal Zoellner 18:59.00.

Scott City -- 29. Miranda Brashear 15:57.88.

Advance -- 62. Shea Wolfenkoehler 19:52.05.

Saxony -- 22. Reagan Obermann 15:25.72.

Sophomores (3,500 yards)

Team scores -- Kirkwood 12, Jackson 12, Farmington 29 - Tiebreak went to Kirkwood

Top 10 overall -- 1. Taylor Dickerson, Jackson, 14:57.06; 2. Liz Coyle, Kirkwood, 15:09.35; 3. Dru Haertling, Jackson, 15:20.27; 4. Hannah Richardson, Kirkwood, 15:26.53; 5. Megan Daly, Central, 16:16.57; 6. Alyssa Cockerline, Kirkwood, 16:29.19; 7. Jacqueline Wolf, Farmington, 16:36.83; 8. Caitlyn Bess, Jackson, 16:40.53; 9. Laura Chavez, Central, 16:45.52; 10. Alexis Kiefer, Farmington, 17:09.00.

Local top fives

Central -- 5. Megan Daly 16:16.57; 9. Laura Chavez 16:45.52.

Jackson -- 1. Taylor Dickerson 14:57.06; 3. Dru Haertling 15:20.27; 8. Caitlyn Bess 16:40.53; 31. Sammie Kinder 19:21.80; 37. Julian Yenicek 20:52.00.

Delta -- 30. Renae Bartels 19:19.15; 32. Shannon Ledbetter 19:43.06.

Saxony -- 20. Claire Skelton 18:13.81; 29. Sarah Winningham 19:13.55.

Juniors (3,500 yards)

Team scores -- Jackson 23, Kirkwood 26, Dexter 59.

Top 10 overall -- 1. Krista Menghini, St, Joe's, 14:17.46; 2. Ashley Ketcherside, Hillsboro, 15:16.34; 3. Hannah Blalock, Poplar Bluff, 15:19.68; 4. Lindsey Seabaugh, Jackson, 15:29.60; 5. Tori Parry, Jackson, 15:41.60; 6. Abby Tadros, Kirkwood, 16:04.63; 7. Hannah Sebold, Mehlville, 16:11.02; 8. Kristin Dippold, Saxony, 16:16.82; 9. LeeAnna Sanders, Kirkwood, 16:20.70; 10. Lizzie Kohlbaker, Dexter, 16:34.69.

Local top fives

Central -- 13. Jordyn Richmond 17:18.92; 23. Lassley Dennington 18:20.16.

Jackson -- 4. Lindsey Seabaugh 15:29.60; 5. Tori Parry 15:41.60; 14. Kasey Crowden 17:23.64; 54. Nicole Steele 22:07.17.

Advance -- 29. Bekah Shrum 18:50.63.

Saxony -- 8. Kristin Dippold 16:16.82; 26. Tori Winter 18:49.69.

Seniors (3,500 yards)

Team scores -- Jackson 8, Kirkwood 23, Dexter 44.

Top 10 overall -- 1. Landon Wachter, Jackson, 15:25.20; 2. Elise Hall, Hillsboro, 15:43.59; 3. Jordan Whitener, Jackson, 16:07.90; 4. Diane Strong, Jackson, 16:11.41; 5. Brittney Waldner, Dexter, 16:35.45; 6. Claire Rogan, Kirkwood, 16:42.44; 7. Linda Danskanen, Kirkwood, 16:59.59; 8. Amber Crites, Jackson, 17:03.10; 9. Amanda Lappe, Oak Ridge, 17:04.02; 10. Caroline Curran, Kirkwood, 17:15.53.

Local top fives

Central -- 16. Audrey Westrich 17:50.19; 31. Morganne Phillips 20:16.49; 33. Annie Tipton 21:14.33; 36. Janna Trautwein 22:20.89; 47. Lauren Bishop 24:49.43.

Jackson -- 1. Landon Wachter 15:25.20; 3. Jordan Whitener 16:07.90; 4. Diane Strong 16:11.41; 8. Amber Crites 17:03.10; 42. Megan Devenport 23:42.40.

Oak Ridge -- 9. Amande Lappe 17:04.02; 28. Shelby Proctor 19:55.72; 41. Kali Meyers 23:34.40.

Scott City -- 14. Libby Miles 17:27.14.

Woodland -- 23. Juliet Dickey 18:46.18; 34. Tess Rainey 21:52.60.