​Blew qualifies for state for first time for Eagles cross country

by Michael Smith, Grain Valley News
 

During his junior season in 2024, Landon Blew narrowly missed out on qualifying for the Missouri State High School Championships.
 
He needed to finish in the top 30 to punch his ticket to state last season in the Class 5 District 4 meet and he took 35th with a time of 16:58.11.
 
Fast forward to 2025 and the senior had an injury plagued season as he was battling hamstring issues throughout. However, he saved his career-best 5K run for Saturday’s Class 5 District 4 meet at Lee’s Summit North High School.
 
He finished in 18th place with a time of 16:06.42 as he will compete in the state tournament for the first time at 1 p.m. Friday at the Gans Creek Cross Country Course in Columbia.
 
“He was just ready emotionally and mentally,” Grain Valley cross country coach Nick Small said. “I could tell early in the race that he was in it and was going after it. The training took over and he showed some mental toughness.”
 
Blew said he was unsure how his season would turn out as he was battling through injuries, but he’s happy that he punched his ticket to state.
 
“There were ups and downs this season and it feels great to come through and have a good race,” Blew said. “In the summer, I strained my hamstring. Luckily, I was able to race all year, but I definitely wasn’t at my best. My training was down because of that.”
 
Blew said he was happy with his time.
 
“It feels really good to get back on the (personal record) streak,” Blew said. “My strategy was to start out a little conservative at the beginning of the race and move my way up. I feeling pretty good for that first mile and went pretty hard. I was moving up the whole time.”
 
Blew said 2025 graduate Landon Barnes was a positive influence on him as he ran with him on the Eagles for the first three years of his high school career.
 
“Landon has had a huge influence on me,” Blew said. “Last year, he was a great team leader. It was leading by example. I learned a lot from him and saw him cut down his time week after week.”
 
Blew’s teammate, sophomore Colby Sinn, just missed out on qualifying for state as he finished in 37th place with a time of 16:55.16.
 
On the girls side, junior Emily Hooper was just outside the top 30 as she took 36th with a time of 20:56.45.
 
“There were great efforts all the way around,” Small said. “I am proud of the season Colby had. This was the first season for Emily in cross country. She’s a track kid who complained about running the 400, but after getting her to come out and do this, she has a completely different mindset. She’s excited and is hungry to punch her ticket to state (next year).”

Senior Landon Blew finished in 18th place with a time of 16:06.42 as he will compete in the state tournament for the first time at 1 p.m. Friday at the Gans Creek Cross Country Course in Columbia. File photo. 
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