Nine area runners qualify for state cross country
Published 12:45 am Sunday, November 1, 2026
Halle Morrison will have a chance to bring home a third career state medal after punching her ticket back to Columbia on Saturday, Oct. 31.
The Otterville junior finished as the runner-up during the Class 1 District 3 meet at Van-Far High School, coming in with a time of 20:52.38. The top 30 runners in each district advance to the MSHSAA State Cross Country Championships.
Senior Katareena Knoernschild became La Monte’s first-ever state cross country qualifier. placing 25th with a time of 23:25.39.
On the boys side, seniors Donovan Dexter and Bristen Douglas will represent Northwest.
Dexter placed 10th with a time of 17:33.48, while Douglas finished 14th with a time of 17:41.83.
The Class 1 State Championship is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Gans Creek Cross Country Course in Columbia. The girls race will start at 11 a.m., followed by the boys at 11:45 a.m.
Class 2 District 2
Stover senior Gabby Sidebottom earned her fourth trip to state after qualifying during the Class 2 District 2 meet on Saturday at El Dorado Springs High School.
Sidebottom placed 13th with a time of 21:41.6.
She will be joined by two teammates from the boys team in junior Lason Thompson and sophomore Kashawn Martin.
Thompson placed 29th with a time of 18:30.0, while Martin finished 30th with a time of 18:31.0.
Sophomores Mason Betsworth and Mozell Graves will both represent Windsor at state. Betsworth placed 20th in the district boys race with a time of 18:10.3, while Graves took 28th in the girls race with a time of 22:50.7.
The Class 2 State Championship is set for Friday, Nov. 6, at the Gans Creek Cross Country Course in Columbia. The girls race will start at 9 a.m., followed by the boys race at 9:45 a.m.
Sports editor Jack Denebeim can be reached at 660-530-0142.
