Highland Cross Country at Elsberry and Moberly

Highland Cross Country Elsberry on Monday to compete in their Annual Cross Country Invitational held at Sun Valley Golf Course. The Junior High Girl’s race was first and Highland’s A.J. Caudill ran an outstanding race for the Cougars. She finished in 8th place overall and brought home her third medal for the season. Coach French said, “A.J. is doing awesome. She has competed in three races so far this season and has medaled in all of them!” Caudill has finished 3rd and in 8th place twice. Coach French said, “We are really looking forward to her competing at the MS State Championships on October 21st. She still has 3 meets before that, including conference on Monday, but she is on track to get a medal at every meet this year.”

For the Varsity runners, Ethan Clow narrowly missed a medal finishing in 26th place and Nathan Caudill was close behind in 35th place at Elsberry. Coach French said, “The boys ran really well today. Their times look a little slower compared to last year, but they added some distance to the course also. I honestly think they ran just as well or better than last year.”

On Thursday the Varsity runners went to Moberly, where Senior Kaycie Stahl made her return from the injury list and competed for the first time this season. She did not disappoint, finishing in 12th place overall and medaling in her first race of the season, Stahl finished the 3.1 mile race in 23:07.2. Coach French said, “We weren’t really targeting a high finish or anything. We just wanted to get her on the course and have her compete. She did incredible though and I am extremely happy with her performance.” Ethan Clow finished in 33rd, with Nathan Caudill finishing in 41st and improving his time and finishing place from last year at the same meet.

The Cougars travel to South Shelby for the Clarence Cannon Conference Meet on Monday, where Coach French hopes to have all runners, including Senior Gage Rudd, running. Good Luck Cougars.