The Pirates XC team is running well despite unseasonably warm fall temperatures. Coach Ratliff reports our athletes continue to work hard and post personal records. The team is taking strides to be ready for the annual PCL Conference Meet on Saturday, October 18th. Please enjoy this update from the last three meets at Hermitage, Warsaw and Camdenton.
On Saturday, September 28, the team competed at the annual Hermitage “Dam” Invitational held at Outlet Park. In a large field of competitors, Sebastian Sanchez Chavez took 100th with 23:22 and Carter Ferrell took 10th with an 18:25. On the ladies side, Kaelee Keehler took 73rd with a 29:45, Izzy Willey took 78th with a 31:42, and Bailey Allan took 82nd with a 32:42. The Hermitage course is challenging as it has varied terrain, including a run up the side of the Lake Pomme de Terre dam and trail running. Great racing everyone! The team enjoyed this challenging course and is looking forward to competing here again at districts early next month. Below are photos from the meet:
Bailey runs through tent city and a popular spot for spectators to gather at Hermitage.
Izzy took advantage of this open area before entering the woods and running the more narrow trails.
Kaelee never miss the opportunity to smile for the camera!
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Carter battled for position near the front of the pack.
Sebastian makes his way through the tent city portion of the course.
On Tuesday, September 30, The Pirates competed at the Warsaw Invitational. In many ways this course, which took place at the Shawnee Bend Golf course, was the opposite of the Hermitage. This course, which encompasses open fields and rolling hills, is much more spectator friendly. Carter running at the front of the pack, took 8th with an 18:23. Sebastian took 30th, with a PR of 21:38, knocking nearly a minute off his time at Hermitage! Izzy led the pack for the Lady Pirates and took 33rd with a 30:32. Kaelee took 35th (30:58) and Bailey took 39th with a 32:31. Great racing team! Below are photos of each athlete at Warsaw:
Saturday, October 4th, the team raced at the Laker Invitational in Camdenton. This course encompasses Collin's Farm and crosses into the boundaries of Ha Ha Tonka State Park. The Pirates always enjoy this course which is close to home. At this race, Kaelee knocked a full minute off her best time and set a new PR! Sebastian continues to get faster, beating his previous PR by 35 seconds! Carter, despite running with an injury posted a time under 18 minutes. Great job everyone! Below are photos of each athlete as well as times and places on the leader board:
Izzy, Kaelee and Bailey just before the start of the race.
Racers gather to pray before the starting gun sounds.
Keep working hard XC athletes. We are proud of your progress and excited for the rest of the season. The team will race again today at the Pleasant Hope invitational. Good luck everyone!
#MCPirates