GJHS cross country competes at state
Gainesville JH girls take fourth in state The Gainesville Junior High girls team took fourth place in the state at the Oct. 21 meet in Wheatland. Pictured, from left,: Assistant Coach David Murphy, Nina Sponugle, Raine Similiker, Isabelle Workman, Jessica Suit, Moxie Similiker, Payton Eslinger, Anabell Snelson and Coach Gary Emrick.
Aiden Thome 21st place all-state medalist
Jessica Suit 7th place all-state medalist
The Gainesville Junior High cross country teams traveled to Wheatland Saturday, Oct. 21, to compete in the Missouri Middle School Cross Country Championships held at Lucas Motorway Speedway. The Bullldogs battled against more than 40 Class 1-2 schools from around the state.
Individually, two runners brought home medals. Aiden Thome finished in 21st place in the boys race and earned an all-state medal. Jessica Suit finished in seventh place, also earning an all-state medal and led the girls to a fourth-place team finish.
The competitors also participated in the Oct. 17 Iron Mountain Run in Fordland. There, the junior high boys only had three runners and were not calculated in the team awards. They were led by medalist Aiden Thome (2nd overall) followed by Alex Esley (39th) and Orion Bradley (54th).
The junior high girls also took home a first-place team win. They were led by medalists Jessica Suit (1st overall), Annabell Snelson (5th overall), Peyton Eslinger (9th), Moxie Similkier (11th), Isabelle Workman (14th), Nina Sponugle (16th) and Raine Similkier (18th). Pazlea Foster finished just outside of the medals in 22nd place.