The Lady Pirates and Pirates Cross Country teams raced well at last night’s Warsaw Invitational. This meet, at which our teams raced for the first time last season, is challenging as it includes a meandering course with lots of demanding up and down hill transitions.
Many of our athletes ran their fastest times, posting personal records (PRs) and season bests. Considering the difficult terrain, earning a PR yesterday was impressive! While Cross Country is usually viewed as an individual sport, the top 5 finishers from each school are scored as a team. Both the Lady Pirates and Pirates enjoy competing as a team and are doing a great job of encouraging one another to put forth their best to capture team accolades. Congratulations to the Pirates who took second place overall and the Lady Pirates who took 3rd place overall!
Allie, Carter and Karysn pose with their medals each earned for finishing in the top 15. Congratulations!
On the Lady Pirates side, Allie Sanchez led our crew, finishing 13th with a time of 24:01. Kaelee Keehler finished 30th (27:19) followed by Izzy Willey who took 35th with a PR of 27:57. On her heels was Bailey Allan who took 39th and earned a PR with her time of 28:18. Kelsie George rounded out the team finishing 46th (31:50). Great job team and congratulations on taking 3rd as a team!
Kaelee ran a great race at Warsaw.
Izzy ran well and set a personal best at Warsaw.
Bailey, a senior, also ran well and set a personal record at Warsaw.
Kelsie ran well and ensured the team captured 3rd place at Warsaw.
Carter Ferrell led the Pirates with his 3rd place finish. His time of 17:43 is his best so far this season. Karsyn Jensen continues to make progress as well with his 8th place finish and PR of 19:00. Sebastian Sanchez also ran well, earning a PR of 20:29 to take 18th. Mason Breshears was close on Sebastian’s heels, also earning a PR of 20:32 with his 19th place finish. Parker Christian finished 21st with a season best of 20:36. Next, Jason Bryant took 23rd with a PR 20:36.51. Fisher Wiethop wasn’t far behind, taking 29th with a 21:30 which was also a PR! Rounding out the Pirates was Michael Egan, who took 36th with his PR of 22:52. Congratulations Pirates on bringing home the silver medal and well done to everyone who ran a PR or season best! Great job team!
The Pirates pose for a photo after an impressive 2nd place finish. From bottom left to right: Michael, Jason and Karysn; from top left to right: Fisher, Parker, Sebastian, Carter and Mason
Next up for the Pirates is the Camdenton Laker Invitational at Ha Ha Tonka this Saturday. The boys will run at 9:00 AM followed by the ladies at 9:30 AM. If you haven’t had a chance to see our teams in action, this is a great opportunity. The XC season is winding down with only 4 in-season meets remaining. The Pirates will compete in the Capital City Cross Country Invite, Dixon Invitational, the PCL Conference Championships at Ballparks National and Districts in El Dorado Springs. Coach Kenny Ratliff is excited about this last part of the season as both teams gear up for a chance to run at the State Championships in Columbia. Coach shared last night's meet was “crazy and unreal” as everyone “gave it their all”! The Pirates took second only to El Dorado beating Marshall, Hermitage and Versailles - great job everyone!
Below are photos from the boys race:
Sebastian ran the fastest time of his career at Warsaw!
Parker ran a season best last night at Warsaw.
Mason and Jason both push for the finish. 
Jason presses on toward the finish chased by Parker.
Fisher ran well at Warsaw and also had a great push at the finish.
Michael, who posted a PR taking 25 seconds off his time, gives it his all racing toward the finish as Izzy and Valerie encourage him to pass the next runner.
Karsyn ran the best race of his career at Warsaw! He is looking foward to breaking the 19 minute barrier at his next race.
Great job Lady Pirates and Pirates!
#MCPirates