JOPLIN, Mo. — The Bentonville boys cross country team took second place at Saturday's 21st annual Missouri Southern Stampede - their best finish at the meet under coach Randy Ramaker.
Sophomore Will Aenchbacher finished 11th overall for the Tigers in 16 minutes and 27.68 seconds and was followed by Scott Compton (31st), Jeremy Sasse (41st), Adam Irons (63rd) and Mason McClelland (77th).
"We knew it would be a great test for us," Ramaker said. "We wanted to see where we stack up against Heritage and Rogers. We came out and ran really really well.
"It shows how much work they did over the summer. Ever year we've gotten better and we're hitting it now."
Manhattan, Kan., won the boys team title while Caleb Hoover of College Heights Christian (Joplin, Mo.) took the individual title in 15:28.32.
Rogers was seventh and Heritage finished 10th.
Danny Saldana (32nd in 17:03.96) led the Mounties. Oscar Orrala (28th in 16:56.69) was the first War Eagle to finish.
On the girls' side, Maggie Montoya was third overall for Rogers and the Lady Mounties finished seventh.
Jordan James (36th), Carlee Rodriguez (54th), Erica Owen (56th) and Johanna Casey (142nd) also scored for Rogers.
The Lady Tigers were ninth and senior Elena Sanz was sixth overall.
Bentonville's young runners - sophomore Kelsey Wheelhouse (28th) and freshmen Mary Kate Brelsford (33rd), Lauren Cowgur (88th) and Taylor Estrada (139th) - also ran well.
"They did great today considering their youth," Ramaker said. "We're sitting pretty good with that group, we just have to keep working hard."
Heritage finished 12th. Hope Burrell was the first Lady War Eagle to finish, taking 18th.
NOTE: Complete results from the Missouri Southern Stampede are available at www.trxctiming.com.
Sports, Pages 7, 8 on 09/20/2009