Warrenton junior Maddie Marschel has been a constant every fall at the Class 4 state meet. This year, she is setting her sights on a personal best time after completing the 3.1-mile race in 21 minutes, 1.8 seconds a year ago.

“She knows the routine and what the atmosphere of the state meet is like so I think that will help her stay focused a little more on the race,” Warrenton coach Jeremy Collins said. “She is a great kid and she works really hard. It wouldn’t surprise me if she goes under 21 (minutes) on Friday.”

Marschel will be making her third consecutive appearance at state this Friday. The state meet will be held at Gans Creek Course in Columbia.

At last Saturday’s district meet held at Big Driver in Washington, Marschel advanced with a 23rd-place finish in 22:53.90.
Only the top 30 runners in the race qualify for state.

Warrenton also had one runner on the boys side qualify. Wyatt Claiborne placed 10th in 18:15.70. This is his first time qualifying for state.

“Overall, I am extremely happy and proud of these two,” Collins said. “Maddie being a three-time qualifier is a great accomplishment and it shows how consistent she is and being able to run well at a qualifying meet. She is able to run well under the pressure of the state meet which isn’t always easy.

“Last year at districts, Wyatt had one of those days where it just wasn’t his day. I think that race stuck with him a little and he has put the time and effort into this season so he wouldn’t have another repeat. Qualifying for the state meet has given him a lot of confidence in what he can do.”

Like Marschel, Claiborne also is eyeing a faster time at state.

“Wyatt is looking for a top 50 finish at the state meet,” Collins said. “Even though it is hard to compare cross country times with other runners, he has the 55th fastest time in Class 4. Wyatt’s best time this year is a 17:10 and I believe he could go under 17 minutes with it being the state meet and the competition that he will face.”

Washington junior Julia Donnelly won the girls race in 19:57.20. In the boys race, Lutheran St. Charles senior Caleb Lind won in 16:35.60.

In the team standings, the Warrenton girls placed 10th out of 11 schools with 252 points. St. Dominic captured the team crown with 53 points.

Other girls running for the Warriors were Briana Grooms (50th, 25:15.80), Bayley Pelker (62nd, 26:16.70), Emily Brengle (64th, 26:42.90) and Dacey Woodruff (67th, 21:21.80).

The Warrenton boys team finished 11th with 267 points. Lutheran won the team crown with 39 points.

Also competing for the Warriors were Zachariah Bristol (66nd, 21:01.70), Phoenix McCleary (70th, 21:12.10), Jacob Beckemeyer (72nd, 21:16.20), Noah Cline (75th, 21:28.60) and Thomas Hale (83rd, 22:43).

Collins was pleased how all runners competed on a tough course.

“I thought that everyone was prepared for the race and really ended the season strong,” he said. “This was a great group and as the season went on, I could see the excitement grow from meet to meet and they really made this season fun for me to coach them. They are just an awesome group.”