Zizzer Cross Country takes top honors at state meet

The West Plains Zizzer Cross Country recently attended the Class 4 State Cross Country meet held on Friday, Nov. 7 in Columbia, Mo. The meet took place at Ganz Creek.

The outcome was a great day for the Zizzers as the boys team took first place with a team score of 81 and the girls team were named the runner ups with a team score of 104.

"I'm super proud of these guys and girls," stated Coach Alicia Gunter. "I couldn't do it without the help of my co-coaches Wes Gunter and Ashley Bray and so many other people that help me behind the scenes. It's fun to win, but it's even better to know that the kids get it and they are going to do good things after high school. I love to see them grow in character and confidence the most. Zizzer CC changes lives for the better and that is my goal with each kid I have the pleasure of coaching."

Individual places and times for the boys: 7th place-Joseph Roberson, 16:08.99; 12th place-Hunter Stanley, 16:18.22; 29th place-Chaska Shearin, 16:35.29; 30th place-Trevin Smith, - 16:36.34; 33rd place-Blake Romans, 16:44.21; 122nd place-Dylan Wade, 18:10.68; and 125th place-Zion Barnett, 18:14.21.

Individual places and times for the girls: 2nd place-Kaebrynn Gunter, 18:34.32; 12th place-Karlee Romans, 19:26.89; 27th place-Emily Ritter, 19:51.94; 45th place-Seri King, 20:34.37; 46th place-Lena Finke, 20:35.09; 71st place-Emma Dixon, 21:04.41; and 111th place-Libby Hart, 22:09.83.

Coach Gunter explained that, "the boys team got out strong Friday morning and really never looked back. We knew we'd have our hands full defending our team title from last year, but it was something we knew we had the potential to do if we took care of our teammates and stayed focused. That is exactly what they did. We zeroed in the last two weeks of season and focused on team and fight and it payed off on Friday. I'm proud of these boys for putting aside distractions and focusing on the positive of the team and what they can do when they all work together."

Coach Gunter went on to state that, "the girls were shooting for the win and of course, we were disappointed when they came up a little short. They got beat by a really good and well coached team. These girls got out fast Friday and gave themselves a chance. Most impressive is that they raced and fought all the way to the end making sure to secure their runner up finish.  Being runner-up in the state for three years in a row is nothing to be ashamed of. These girls kept the Zizzer Tradition alive and strong and I'm proud of their teamwork and the character they have shown."

The Zizzer Cross Country team will be graduating six seniors this year, two from teh boys team and four from the girls team. "Trentin Jeffords has been a 4-year cross country runner who is a great support for his teammates and friends," said Coach Gunter. "He's always willing to help and do what he can to make the team better. Trevin Smith had quite the career-running in state all four years of his high school career. Trevin is a big part of Zizzer CC History now. On the girls side, Karlee Romans, Emily Ritter, Seri King, and Emma Dixon ran their last cross country race as Lady Zizzers that Friday. They have left a huge impact on the Zizzer Tradition being a part of the three second place finishes in a row. These girls work hard and truly embody what it means to be a Zizzer. Each of these seniors have grown as runners and more importantly as young men and women. We hope they will carry the lessons they learned in Zizzer CC with them throughout their lives."

The SWCCCA (Southwest Cross Country Coaches Association) Special Awards were announced and Kaebrynn Gunter was named Class 4 Girls Athlete of the Year, Joe Roberson was named the Class 4 Boys Athlete of the Year, and Coach Alicia Gunter was named the Class 4 Boys and Girls Coach of the Year.

First Team All-Southwest Region: Boys-Joe Roberson, Chaska Shearin, Trevin Smith, and Hunter Stanley. Girls-Kaebrynn Gunter, Emily Ritter, and Karlee Romans. Second Team All-Southwest Region: Boys-Blake Romans. Girls-Emma Dixon, Lena Finke, and Seri King. Honorable Mention All-Southwest Region: Boys-Zion Barnett, and Dylan Wade. Girls-Libby Hart.