EUREKA — In one of the largest middle school cross country races of the year, the Ponies dominated from start to finish in the Eureka Invitational on Tuesday.
The seventh-grade girls team won its one-mile race, placing six runners in the top 14. There were more than 70 runners in the seventh-grade race alone with the boys and girls running together.
Averie Sharon led the girls with a 6:34 mile time. Coach Marvin Smith said Sharon was able to lead Iola by separating herself early from the pack.
Lorie Carpenter (7:11), Kailey Schinstock (7:12), Olivia Kerr (7:28) and Audrey Coltrane (7:29) rounded out Iola’s top-five.
Jessica Tidd (7:38) and Kaylin Klubek (13:12) finished 14th and 32nd overall, respectively.
The seventh-grade boys were just as successful as they also won their division. Jack Adams, who finished fourth overall with a time of 5:52, was the Ponies’ fastest runner.
Nathan Louk (5:55) and Riley Jay (6:03) finished sixth and seventh, respectively. Xavier Dickerson (7:39), Toby Sander (7:48) and Levi Mewies (7:52) rounded out the team.
As for the eighth-grade race, all five of Iola’s runners placed within the top 10.
With only 13 seconds separating Iola’s first four runners, there was no doubt the Ponies would take the win.
Kelsey Morrison finished the two-mile race with a time of 14:13, which was good enough for second overall. Elysia Kunkler (14:18) finished in third, Elka Billings (14:23) came in fourth, Rachel Bycroft (14:26) finished in fifth and Ella Taylor (15:47) came in ninth.
With all five of Iola’s runners finishing in the top 10, the Ponies took half of the medals from the race home with them.
The eighth-grade boys didn’t have enough runners to qualify for a team score, but they still dominated on an individual level.
Elijah Fawson won first overall with a time of 12:40. Asher Sievers finished second, just 10 seconds behind. Iola’s other two runners, River Hess (14:02) and Eason Cheung (16:10), finished in seventh and 17th.
The Iola High School cross country team will hope to follow the IMS’ success when it travels to Independence on Thursday.
IMS cross country dominates Eureka Invitational
