Adalyn Ferrell got a big boost of confidence on Oct. 18 as her season is coming down to its final weeks.

The Wright City junior earned her second straight Eastern Missouri Conference award after placing fifth with a time of 22:13.2 at the Eastern Missouri Conference championship meet at the Pike County Fairgrounds in Bowling Green. She was the only Wright City runner to receive an all-league award. 

For most of the season, Ferrell has dealt with knee injuries. Now, she’s hoping to stay injury free for the rest of the year so she could focus on qualifying for the Class 3 state meet for the second straight year.

“I’m going to keep working,” Ferrell said. “I know that I can do good in districts and go to state. If I keep working, keep decreasing my times and keep that positive mindset, I think I can get it done.”

Also, the Wildcats had six runners in the boys division at the EMO meet. Freshman Clayton Kennon was the top finisher, placing 21st with a 21:21.26. He was followed by freshmen Kaden Needham (23rd, 21:39.24), freshman Zane Webster (24th, 21:40.50), freshman Frankie Zykan (29th, 22:17.39), freshman Mason Krueger (37th, 25:22) and freshman Landon O’Randon (38th, 27:41). Wright City placed fourth with 95 points.

Ferrell earned first-team all-conference honors for her fifth-place finish. A year ago, she placed third at the EMO meet at North Callaway High School. The top 15 finishers at the EMO meet are awarded all-conference.

“It’s really rewarding to see the hard work pay off throughout the season,” Ferrell said. “I’ve been running since I was so little that it’s natural to me, so it’s definitely really rewarding to just get that all-conference (award) again.”

Ferrell competed at Bowling Green for the second time. She earned a medal at last year’s Bowling Green Invitational after placing 16th with a 21:38.

“I ran here last year with (former head coach Ryan Heyel) and I was the only girl for Wright City, but I really like this course,” Ferrell said. “The last hill kind of gets me, but other than that, it’s a really good course to get the feel of it. There are so many flat areas. It’s one of my favorite courses.”

Ferrell was the only Wright City runner in the girls division at this year’s EMO meet. She said she enjoys competing at the conference meet.

“It’s really nice to have that competition,” the junior said. “It’s not an evil competition. Before this, everybody gathered up and prayed together. I just think that’s the beauty of this sport. We’re all racing against each other, but there is no rudeness. There’s nothing that’s evil. It’s all just pure heart running.”

Ferrell competed in just her second meet of the season. She placed second with a 22:47 at the season-opening Van-Far Invitational on Sept. 8.

“I’ve been kind of off due to injury, so it’s kind of my first real meet back,” Ferrell said. “I was kind of disappointed with my time, but hopefully, I can work it up for districts and break 21.”

Ferrell and the Wildcats will return to Bowling Green on Oct. 24 to compete in the Bowling Green Invitational. They will compete at the Class 3, District 3 championship meet on Nov. 1 at Linn High School.

Last year, Ferrell qualified for state by placing 23rd with a 21:25 at the district meet in Fulton. She said she hopes to end her junior season with another trip to Columbia.

“I definitely know that I have it if I stay positive and do what I am supposed to, but I just can’t let the competition get to me,” Ferrell said. “I definitely need to decrease my time a little bit, but other than that, I’m ready and I’m excited. Hopefully, I can go back because last year was super rainy at state and it was not the best.”