Schmauch, Mann secure all-state cross country status

JEFFERSON CITY - North Callaway's Reyna Schmauch and South Callaway's Adrian Mann made a splash as sophomores in their debuts.

Schmauch and Mann both competed in the Class 2 girls' state cross country championships for the first time Saturday, and the Callaway pair left with all-state acclaim after their performances at Oak Hills Golf Center. Schmauch finished 17th in 20 minutes, 48.21 seconds and Mann came in 21st in 20:59.54.

The top 25 runners received all-state status.

"Having Reyna earn the title of all-state has me on cloud nine," North Callaway head coach Chad Craghead said. "She is one of the hardest-working athletes I have ever coached and she has earned everything she accomplished this year.

"In all my years of coaching, she is the first athlete I have had to ever earn that distinction and I could not be more proud of her."

Schmauch ran the first mile in 6:06.64, the second in 6:41.36, and the third in 7:03.83.

"I told her before she started the race to leave it on the course today and she did just that," Craghead said. "She poured herself into this race and that is all I can ask from any athlete.

"... This girl has a great career ahead of her and I am glad I am along for the ride. It's going to be fun to watch."

Mann, meanwhile, clocked in at 6:22.81 in the first mile, 6:53.99 in the second, and 6:58.64 in the third.

"Adrian had an excellent race today," South Callaway head coach Stephanie Turner said. "We reviewed her race strategy prior to and she ran it exactly as planned.

"Adrian is the first female cross country runner to receive all-state honors at South Callaway. She also set the school record for fastest time ran on the state course, and set a new personal record for herself."

Fatima sophomore Brianna Haller captured the Class 2 individual title with a time of 18:49.37 and directed the Lady Comets to the team state championship with 37 points.

In the Class 3 boys' race, sophomore Mason Gaines led Fulton by taking 35th place in 17:23.55. Also placing for the Hornets were junior Tanner Steffen, 69th in 17:59.21, and sophomore Nathan Quick - 80th in 18:06.52.

Ste. Genevieve junior Ben Naeger collected Class 3 individual honors in 15:34.56, while Festus secured the team state title with 47 points.

New Bloomfield qualified as a team in the Class 1 boys' race and finished 13th with 273 points. Senior Charlie Schattgen paced the Wildcats by coming in 67th in 19:02.81 and sophomore teammate Payton Culwell was right behind Schattgen in 68th place in 19:04.39.

New Bloomfield's other finishers were freshman Robert Morningstar (94th, 19:29.90), sophomore Kyle Emerson (98th, 19:32.79), and senior Nicolas Granich (20:06.59).

Hardin-Central junior Riley Gorham locked up the Class 1 individual championship with a winning time of 16:43.37. Hermitage compiled 61 points to wrap up the team state title.

Placing for New Bloomfield in the Class 1 girls' race were sophomore Kassi O'Dowd (47th, 23:03.20), freshman Macey Puckett (97th, 24:16.20), and junior Kate Baxter (138th, 26:28.30).

Summit Prep junior Claire Workman emerged with the Class 1 individual title by prevailing in 19:21.80, while Crystal City clinched the team state championship with 114 points.