Never did Zach Kowalik imagine he would take such a drastic leap forward while competing in Saturday's cross country championships. The Wright City sophomore earned his first state medal at the MSHSAA finals in Jefferson City. But it wasn't the hardware that left Kowalik bewildered after the Class 2 boys race. In his second trip to state, he expected to bring home a medal. He didn't expect to finish in sixth place, racing in with a time of 17:43. "I felt really good," said Kowalik. "I was proud of myself. I didn't think I was going to do that good to be honest. I'm happy with what I got." He was even able to defeat Bowling Green's Brian Buchmeier, who had beaten Kowalik during each meeting this season. "I'm really glad I beat Bowling Green now," said Kowalik. "We battled and I passed him on the last hill coming in. It was great." Kowalik took 66th a year ago at the same Oak Hills Golf Course, battling piercing winds that afflicted runners during the 2008 competition. On Saturday the conditions were more favorable, even slightly hot for some runners. For Kowalik, who has a tendency to get muscle cramps during cold temperatures, it was just right. "I felt really good," said Kowalik. "I'm glad it was warm this year." Several factors played into Kowalik's favor. He says he felt great during the entire race, keeping both his mental and physical focus in check. "He's been running so well all season long and looks so fluid," said Coach Sue Wright. "He just ran a very good race. He had it in his mind that's what he was going to do, and he looked great the whole course." As a freshman, Kowalik had battled the overwhelming feeling a first-time state competitor can encounter. He chalked his initial trip to state up as an experience to build on. With the Oaks Hills terrain consisting of constant rolling hills, Kowalik recalled some of the course locations that had given him trouble. He worked on improving those shortcomings during the offseason. Kowalik also acknowledges that he benefited from practicing on the inclines at Innsbrook. "It helps a lot," said Kowalik. "You're legs still hurt, but you're able to push through it." Wright says her runners are always prepared for a hilly challenge after spending two months tackling Innsbrook's climbs. "Without the work that we do on those hills, maybe we wouldn't have ended up as high as we were," said Wright. "We run those hills hard. I'm grateful that Innsbrook allows us to train out there, because it really pays off on this type of course." Kowalik took into account that he would be more physically prepared for Saturday's race. When he and teammate Brandon Pruitt arrived at the course on Friday, he made sure to equip himself mentally. Kowalik traversed the course with Wright, taking note of the places he had struggled with in 2008. "We went through where he had problems last year," said Wright. "We looked at what did he needed to do to get through those spots this year." He plotted a plan of attack against those challenges, hoping to move into the top 25 and be worthy of a medal during his sophomore campaign. Wright had crunched some numbers earlier in the week, noticing that Kowalik's district time was right on the verge of the Top 25. Both coach and runner realized Kowalik stood in good position to earn his first medal. When he came in sprinting across the finish line in sixth, Wright was elated. It was the largest improvement a Wildcat runner had made at the state level during Wright's three-decade career as coach. "Going in I was pretty confident he was going to medal," said Wright. "Did I expect Top 10? I thought he had it in him, but I didn't know whether he'd do it his sophomore year." She had met Kowalik at several points on the course to keep him informed of his progress. Even more vocal guidance was offered up by Kowalik's sister, Megan who is now running at Mizzou. She was a four-time state qualifier for Wright City, finishing third during her senior season. She has been a source of guidance for her sibling at the state level and kept on his case on Saturday. "I usually don't hear people, but she was screaming," said Kowalik. "She kept yelling to 'Get the Bowling Green kid.'" Kowalik was joined by teammate Brandon Pruitt at Saturday's meet. The junior was making his second consecutive appearance at state. He finished just inside the top half of racers, placing 77th with a mark of 19:29. "Brandon has been sick, but he finished strong," said Wright. "I told him, 'Don't leave anything out here. Go out and do the best you can and come across that finish line.'" Pruitt managed to peak near the end of the season, medaling at the final regular season meet and advancing to state with an eighth-place finish at the district meet. "I am extremely pleased with both of those guys," said Wright. "What a great representation of our school and program for them to do what they did."