MARSHALL, Mo. - The Fulton Hornets boys cross country team captured a North Central Missouri Conference championship on Saturday by narrowly beating out Mexico by six points.
"Congratulations to our boys for pulling out the victory by beating out our rivals Mexico, Hannibal and Boonville," Fulton head coach George Yates said. "It was an intensely exciting race with our Fulton kids going step for step with Mexico's.
"It was tight until the end of the race, but I'm so proud of their determination and fight. The conference championship trophy will take it's home in the halls of the high school soon."
Senior Mason Gaines finished second overall and led the Hornets with a time of 16 minutes and 21 seconds. Junior Brock Fisher finished in third at 17:02, senior Gabriel Luebbert finished sixth in 17:34, senior Nathan Quick came in eight at 17:46, and senior Haydon Windsor finished 12th in 18:31.
With all five finishing inside the top 14 they each secured the distinction of finishing as All-Conference runners for this season.
On the girls' side Hannibal captured first place with a score of 37, while Fulton finished fifth with 122 points.
Freshman Kayanna Gaines led the Lady Hornets in 10th with a 22:38, junior Maitane Sandonis finished 24th in 24:06, freshman Kalyn Wolfmeier came in 28th in 25:14, senior Adrea Shadbolt was right behind her 29th in 25:38 and sophomore Caitlin Sievert rounded out the top five finishers in 31st with a 26:29.
Gaines was the lone All-Conference medalist for the Lady Hornets.
Fulton will compete at the Bowling Green Invitational on Friday at 3:30 p.m.