The culmination of a season’s worth of work took place this weekend on Oct. 23 at McNair Park for the Howell North cross country runners. They were competing in the Class 4, District 4 competition, a race where only the top 30 runners and the top four teams extend their season to sectionals. All three of the Francis Howell, and all four of Fort Zumwalt schools were in attendance, along with Holt, Pattonville, Timberland, and Troy. For all but two runners at North, this was their last race as the girls team finished 7 overall and the boys team finished 11. Fort Zumwalt West took first overall for the girls and Francis Howell took first for the boys.

“It was pretty much what we expected,” Assistant coach Beth Phillips said. “Our girls team is so young, we have three freshmen on varsity, but we expect it to get better.”

The two runners who did qualify were the top two finishers from the girls team. Junior Brianna Schroer finished 10, running one second off her personal best, and senior Coleen Grone finished 16, running with a ‘displaced rib.’ North’s top two boy finishers were junior Mack Weaver in 45, and senior Gus Theis in 49. Gus believes that the team will only have better results in the future.

“I think that over the next few years we will get better,” Theis said. “Most of the guys on varsity are underclassmen.”

Sectionals will take place Oct 30 at McNair Park. A full list of results from Districts can be found at mo.milesplit.com.

By Logan Ponche