Cross Country is a team sport. If you have not been connected to the sport not many understand that. Many times a balanced team can come out ahead of a team with one or two superior runners. The scoring bares that out. Basically if you are not familiar, you get a point that corresponds with where you finish in the race. For example if your runner finishes first you get one point, second you get 2, third you get three and so on. You are allowed to race SEVEN athletes in a varsity race and the top FIVE count towards your score. The lowest score wins.
The West Plains Cross-Country program is legendary in the State of Missouri. But it was the Branson Lady Pirates that are holding the hardware from this weekends District Championship meet in Nixa. Zizzer Runners took the top three spots in the finishing order and had four runners in the top ten. But that fifth runner’s finishing position counts as well. And, thats were the steady finishes by the Lady Pirates won out. Branson placed all five scoring runners in the top 14. (for good measure their sixth runner was 15th) All seven Branson ladies finished 24th or better.
4. Adeine Holder, 5. Madeline Caruthers, 7. Amanda Kearney, 12. Hannah Collins, 14. Adriana Alvard (15. Destany Baylon, 24. Emile Gephart)
The Lady Pirates all advance to next weeks Sectional Meet.
The girls will not be alone. The Branson Boys qualified as a team as well. The Pirates finished fourth in the field behind West Plains, Kickapoo, and Nixa. Keifer Dooley led the way for the Branson team.
