​Eagles qualify three for State

by Michael Smith
 
The goal all season long for the Grain Valley boys cross country team was to qualify for the Missouri State High School Cross Country Championships.
 
They had a chance to do that in Saturday’s Class 5 District 4 meet at Staley High School. The Eagles faced some stiff competition and came close to qualifying for state, but finished fifth with 132 points. Blue Springs South took the fourth and final spot with 114 points. Rockhurst won with 40.
 
The top four teams in each district advanced as did the top 30 individual performers.
 
Seniors Rylan Smith and juniors David Roberson and Landon Barnes all punched their tickets to state.
 
Smith led the boys with a 14th place finish at 16:39.53. Barnes was right behind him in 15th with a time of 16:40.73.
 
“We weren’t really focused on individual accomplishments, we wanted to qualify as a team,” Barnes said.
 
Smith was able to finish in the top 30 despite an accident he had near the end of the race.
 
“When I came around the turn, I actually fell,” he said. “I think I actually did a little bit better because of that. When I got up, I ran a little bit faster because I knew I had to make up some time.”
 
Barnes and Smith along with the rest of the competitors had to battle frigid temperatures.
 
“Our muscles are super tight from it,” Smith said.
 
Both of them are making their second trip to state, while Roberson will compete on Nov. 4 at the Gans Creek Golf Course for the first time. He took 28th with a time of 17:04.08. Right after the race, Roberson had to leave immediately to travel to Columbia to play in a district soccer match.
 
“That kid is crazy,” head coach Nick Small said. “His battery just keeps going. Sometimes he will get up and run in the morning then go to soccer practice later in the day. He makes me so proud.”
 
Rounding out the top five for the Eagles boys were Adrian Bobzien (32nd, 17:16.73) and Landon Blew (43rd, 17:32.15).
 
Girls
 
Junior Jordan Gossage was just six places away from the state meet.
 
She led the Eagles girls team by placing 36th with a time of 21:21.74. The girls team finished 10th overall with 255 points.
 
“She finished way ahead of where she was projected,” Small said of Gossage. “She really got after it.”
 
Rounding out the top five for the girls were Amyah Graybill (39th, 21:32.74), Kayley Bell (43rd, 21:39.49), Clara DeMoro (65th, 22:39.50) and Lillian Snyder (73rd, 23:36.22).
 

Senior Rylan Smith, right, and Landon Barnes finished 14th and 15th at the Class 5 District 4 meet at Staley High School to qualify for state. Photo credit: Michael Smith