High school cross country: Lady Hornets' Gaines captures title at Bowling Green Invite

Wolfe comes in fifth, Hornets finish third as team

BOWLING GREEN - Fulton senior Kayanna Gaines recorded a time of 20 minutes, 5.10 seconds to secure the girls' individual title at the Bowling Green Invitational on Friday.

Gaines held off Father Tolton senior Jaclyn Sexauer, who followed in second in 20:08.70. Wright City junior Zoe Riggs was third in 20:15.22 and Centralia sophomore Jozelynn Bostick came in fourth in 20:16.90.

"Kayanna Gaines battled her way to a first-place individual win in a thrilling girls' race," Fulton head cross country coach George Yates said. "She went step for step with three other very talented and strong runners, but had the guts and the gas tank to pull ahead in the remaining 200 meters."

Sophomore Jonna Vanzetti placed 61st in 24:24.46 for the Lady Hornets, who did not field a complete team.

North Callaway freshman Pressley Schmauch was ninth in 20:50.90 to steer the Ladybirds to a second-place team finish with 76 points. Senior Kaleigh Moore took 12th in 21:12.96, while junior Rachael Jeffries came in 16th in 21:42.31.

Senior Makenna Allen finished 19th in 22:00.10 for North Callaway and junior Piper Jeffries placed 34th in 22:45.41.

In the boys' division, Fulton junior Shaun Wolfe took fifth in 17:26.90 to guide the Hornets to a third-place team finish with 136 points. Senior Isaac Avery was 22nd in 18:02.50, while junior Alexander Noel was next in 23rd in 18:15.30.

Sophomore Carter Meyerhoff also came in 27th in 18:25.90 for Fulton and freshman Devon Merritt finished 65th in 19:59.80.

North Callaway senior Tristin Webb was 12th in 17:42.60 as the Thunderbirds were eighth as a team with 189 points. Senior Grant Eichman took 24th in 18:16.30, while sophomore Brendan Reinhard placed 37th in 18:43.40.

Senior Noah Scrogum took 56th in 19:42.30 for North Callaway and junior David Nevels came in 67th in 20:10.30.

Tolton swept the girls' and boys' team titles with 51 and 52 points, respectively.

Fulton runs in the Class 4, District 4 championships at Washington next Saturday, while North Callaway competes in the Class 3, District 3 championships at Bowling Green.