Pattonville’s Cross Country team competed in the Missouri State Cross Country competition on Saturday, November 7, at Gans Creek Course in Columbia, Missouri. There were about 165 runners in the girls’ race and 161 in the boys’ race.
Junior Keilah Wilkes ran for the girls’ team for her second year. She placed 20th, which made her All-State (the top 25 runners in the state). “Personally, I feel like I did all right. I didn’t PR [personal record], or anything like that, but after the season we’ve had, I’m grateful to have placed at all. My main goal in a race is to give it all I’ve got, so if I’m dead by the end, then I did something right,” says Keilah Wilkes on how she felt she performed.
Keilah also placed in the top 25 last year when she ran in the state competition.
Lucy Ndung’u, Pattonville senior, also ran for the girls’ team. This was her fourth and final year running in state. She placed 61st at the race.
JP Killian ran for the boys’ team. He placed 77th out of 161 racers. “I felt I had a great season. Especially with how short it was, I felt like I accomplished a lot of personal goals this season as well as making State,” says JP. At state, he beat his personal best for a 5k with a time of 16:56.1 minutes.
“I’m just glad we got to have some semblance of a normal season. I think the shortened seasons that MSHSAA is putting together in the Spring will be rough on multisport athletes, so I’m just really glad my coach pushed for a ‘regular’ fall season. Despite the hardships we faced, getting to spend time with the team and its new members definitely makes coming back next year worth it,” says Keilah. Pattonville’s cross country team is officially done with their season, but are hoping to come back stronger than ever next season.

Gallery – 9 Photos

photos courtesy of Coach Hall

Keilah Wilkes and Lucy Ndung'u with Coach Hall after placing 20th and 61st.

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