The numbers were discouraging entering Saturday’s Class 2 District 3 race at Bowling Green. Sure, Wright City could make it back to state by finishing among the Top 2 teams. But the first-place …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
Attention subscribers
We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a digital subscriber with an active subscription, or you are a print subscriber who had access to our previous wesbite, then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you have not yet logged in to your account on this new site.
If you are a current print subscriber and did not have a user account on our previous website, you can set up a free website account by clicking here.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue
Need an account?
Print and web subscribers
If you're a print and web subscriber, but do not yet have an online account, click here to create one.
Online-only subscribers
If you are a digital subscriber with an active, online-only subscription then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you've not yet logged in to your account on this new site.
Non-subscribers
Click here to see your options for becoming a subscriber.
Wright City Boys Win District Title
Posted
By Derrick Forsythe, Record Sports Editor
The numbers were discouraging entering Saturday’s Class 2 District 3 race at Bowling Green.Sure, Wright City could make it back to state by finishing among the Top 2 teams. But the first-place finish the Wildcats desired so fervently was unlikely, considering Orchard Farm had beaten them by 19 points on the course days earlier.However, the group of seven seniors agreed on one thing — none of them had exhibited their best performance the previous week.“It was kind of nerve-wracking because they had just beaten us,” said Cody Klemp. “We did have doubts, but we worked really hard during the week and gained confidence.”Whatever fueled their motivation worked, as the Wildcats turned the tables on Orchard Farm, winning the school’s first district title in any sports in eight years.“It was really nice for these kids to be able to accomplish something their senior year that hasn’t been done in a long time,” said Coach Sue Wright. “I was extremely nervous for them.”Wright City crushed the Eagles by 14 points, using a strong group finish with four runners among the Top 12.“It shows how hard everyone works together,” said Gierer. “There’s not really one person that tries harder than everyone else.”Austin Marsh became the fourth Wright City runner to finish first for the team at a race this season. He surpassed Brendan Gierer, who missed a turn late in the race, placing seventh with an 18:36.“Just knowing we didn’t have that one top runner, we all had that drive to be that first runner every meet,” said Dallas Deroy. “It would motivate us to work harder every day.”Marsh didn’t begin the day with much confidence, admitting to feeling “rough” prior to the race. But that changed promptly.“Once I got past the first 100 meters I felt great,” said Marsh. “I wanted to try to pace off my teammates like I do in practice, and I kept gaining energy and moving up as I went.”His teammates have been referring to him as the secret weapon the past couple of days."Austin came out and had the race of his life,” said Deroy.Gierer finished seconds ahead of two teammates, running an 18:42 to place 10th.“I was very surprised personally,” said Gierer of the team’s first-place finish. “I did not go into the race thinking we were going to win.”Klemp took 11th with an 18:46, while Dallas Deroy ran an 18:47 to cross in 12th place.Deroy joined the team as a means of gaining stamina for spring baseball season. But he wasn’t expecting to be a pivotal piece of the varsity team.“I didn’t think I would be a part of the grand scheme of things,” said Deroy. “I didn’t expect for it to come out like this at all.”While the Wildcats’ top four finishers would have locked individual berths to state, Wright says it was important for the final three runners to realize their vitality to the team’s finish.“They need to understand that those Top five are critical, so they all need to battle for every spot they can get,” said Wright. “We’ve got to be in a group.”Each place covered means a climb in the team standings. And while the Wildcats didn’t have a lot of concern, beating third-place Bowling Green by 40 points, the motivation was crucial.“It shows how hard everyone works together,” said Gierer. “There’s not really one person that tries harder than everyone else.”Zach Murri mustered a strong finish to place 17th with a time of 19:10.Ben Randolph, who played an entire football game plus two overtimes 14 hours earlier, ran a 19:16 to place 19th.Jackson Bruening was the Wildcats’ final competitor, running a 20:03 to finish 29th.For the girls’ team, sophomore Jynna Fritz was the only competitor, managing to lock her first trip to state. She ran a 22:21 to finish 10th, despite pre-race doubts.“I’m extremely excited considering its my second year, and I’m already going to state,” said Fritz. “I was expecting to do worse because I was really nervous and everybody was telling me they didn’t think I was going to make it.”Wright says emphasized the importance of analyzing the team’s strengths and weaknesses on the course a week earlier, and it appeared her efforts paid off.“To be able to run the same course and find where you hurt and where you excelled is huge,” said Wright. “I kept telling them, you have to look at those spots you didn’t like last week.”All but one of the Wildcats will be familiar with the course on Saturday, as the Wildcats’ compete in the opening race at 9 a.m. at Oak Hills Golf Center in Jefferson City.Fritz race will follow at 10:15.
Wright City senior Austin Marsh finished first for the Wildcats last Saturday as they claimed the school's first district team title.
