Cross Country Team at the finish line at Gans Creek in Columbia the day before the race.

Carter Ferrell Earns All-State at the 2025 MSHSAA Cross Country Championships

Dr. Josh Phillips

November 10, 2025

The Pirates were excited to cheer on Sophomore Carter Ferrell who advanced to the Class 1 MSHSAA State Cross Country Championships. Carter took 4th at Districts with an impressive 18:02 at the challenging Outlet Park course below the dam at Lake Pomme De Terre. Any athlete finishing in the top 30, at each of the four district meets held around Missouri, along with all of the athletes from the top 4 district teams, advance to the State Championship meet in Columbia. Carter, who is a sophomore, competed in Track last spring as a Freshmen. This fall was his first time competing in cross-country.

The entire student body at Macks Creek School turned out to form a "spirit tunnel" beginning in the high school and ending in the elementary. Carter was presented with a basket full of goodies and took photos in front of one of the school SUV's decorated for the trip to State. Carter's Cross Country teammates joined him on his trip to State.

These 6 photos show Carter going t hrough a spirit tunnel, standing beside the decorated SUV and with his parent and coaches before leaving for State

The Pirates XC team arrived at Gans Creek in Columbia Friday afternoon. Carter jogged the course for a pre-meet workout. Next, the team checked out this year’s State Championship gear and went sightseeing in Columbia before heading to dinner at Big Whiskey's in Jefferson City.

Team on the medal stand before the meet at StateCarter stands alone at the finish line the day before the meetSebastian, Carter and Parker beside one of the famous pillars at MU in the evening Bailey and Izzy sit next ot a pillar with building behind them lit up in the evening at MUIzzy, Bailey, Parker, Carter and Sebasian are illuminate by a sign in front of the pillars with the tower in the background lit up at nightCoaches, Carter's Parents and the team at Big Whiskey's for dinner

The team was up early to eat breakfast before heading back to Columbia for the meet. Despite a chilly start, the temperatures quickly warmed up and Carter had a great warm up to prepare to race against over 175 of Missouri's fastest Class 1 runners. With about 30 minutes until race time, Carter left tent city to check in and begin stretching and warming up at the starting line.

Carter gives a thumbs up before the race startsCarter and Coach discuss strategy before the race startsView of the starting line minutes before the gun sounds

Carter paced himself and didn't rabbit out of the gate. By the first kilometer he was solidly running in the top 25 and worked his way up from there. He finished the race with a solid sprint down the home stretch and set a personal record of 17:27 to secure 19th place.

Carter runs in the opening seconds of the race. Lots of runners are in the foreground.Carter near the 1st Kilometer of the raceCarter runningCarter on the home stretch racing for the finish lineScoreboard with Carter's time and information compared to runners 20 to 28

At the medal stand ceremony, the top 30 racers receive an all-state medal. In accordance with tradition, each athlete's coach presents him with the all-state medal. This year's medals are unique and commemorate MSHAA's 100th Anniversary.

Coach Ratliff puts Carter's Medal around his neck at ceremony while 11 other runners look on in the backgroundCoach and Carter pose for a photo with other medal winners in backgroundTop 30 Finishers at State all Pose for a photo on medal standCarter and Teammates pose for a photo after the ceremony in tent cityCarter with his Coach Phillips and RatliffCarter on medal stand by himself the day before the race

Congratulations on an outstanding showing at State Carter. We are proud of your hard work and progress this season! Good luck in Basketball this winter and in Track this spring!

#MCPirates