It was a successful state cross country meet for Washington High School.
Competing at the MSHSAA Cross Country Championships at Oak Hills Golf Center in Jefferson City on Saturday, Nov. 3, Washington had two runners earn all-state honors in Class 4 by placing in the top 25 of the individual standings.
Earning all-state honors were senior Claire Ayers and sophomore Mia Reed.
Click here for the Class 4 girls results.
“We knew we had chances to get at least one on the podium. You’re hopeful for two. We would have been ecstatic with 24 and 25 (place),” said Washington Cross Country Coach Mike Olszowka. “Seeing Claire get out the way she did and look as strong as she did, it’s a great way to end her high school career. What she did today opened so many doors for her college career. Mia just competes all the time. She got out probably a little too fast. But she battled and hung in there and fought, and those are the things that are irreplaceable. We can’t coach that. The kids have to want it, and that’s what you get out of Mia every time she races.”
Ayers ended her high school cross country career by claiming her third career all-state medal, finishing the Class 4 girls race in ninth place in a time of 19:29.05. Ayers is a four-time cross country state-qualifier.
“I believe it. Coach (Jim) Ogle believes it. Coach (Josh) Ohm believes it. We see it every day. We know how talented Claire is,” Olszowka said. “A lot of people seem to discount her and think she’s done when she has a bad race. But she’s a competitor. She loves the spotlight. She’ll say she doesn’t, but she loves the spotlight. It’s a different atmosphere at the state meet. You go from a conference meet where there’s maybe 200 people, to a district and sectional meet, where there’s 500 people, to a state meet, where there’s probably 2,500 people here just for our race. It’s a different atmosphere and it spooks some kids. But Claire is one of those kids that takes that energy from everybody around her.”
Reed, a two-time cross country state qualifier, collected her first cross country state medal by finishing in 24th place in a time of 19:52.27.
“What we did wrong last year was backed off too much and took it easy. This year we said that we’re not doing that. Mia’s strength is hard work. No more she runs, the better,” Olszowka said. “Last year, I backed off way too much on her, thinking we were going to keep her healthy and keep her fresh. This year, she was trained and she thrives on that kind of mileage. It made a big difference. She’s just tough. She’s strong. The stronger you push her, the stronger she’s going to be. She’s just a sophomore, and she’s going to keep moving up that podium.”
Also running for Washington at the state meet was sophomore Jessica Donnelly, who finished in 50th place in a time of 20:31.25.
“We counted it up and race No. 9 for her was today at the state championships. She maybe got out a little too hard and took it a little too easy in the middle. She finished strong. She passed around 20 people in the last mile,” Olszowka said of Donnelly. “With experience, we think she’ll be on the podium next year. Now we’re looking to add a couple of kids and maybe the team will be back up there."
Photos from the state cross country meet are below.
Washington's state cross country qualifiers, from left, were Claire Ayers, Mia Reed and Jessica Donnelly.
Washington's state cross country qualifiers, from left, were Claire Ayers, Mia Reed and Jessica Donnelly.
Washington's All-State cross country runners, from left, were Claire Ayers and Mia Reed.
Washington's All-State cross country runners, from left, were Claire Ayers and Mia Reed.
