10/23/23: The Kewpie Kooldown: Clayton XC Invitational

Last Friday, the Hickman cross country boys junior varsity runners traveled to St. Louis for the Clayton XC Invitational. Hickman only sent their JV team as this meet was one week out from their district meet, however, Hickman's varsity runners were still there to support and scout out the course as this course is where the district meet will be held. Hickman divided their JV runners into the boy's varsity and JV divisions

In the first of the two races, the boy's performed well placing ninth out of thirteen other varsity teams, in a field of 94 runners. Hickman had three runners in the top fifty and one among those three, placed within the top thirty-five to receive a medal. Hickman's medalist was sophomore Nick Current who placed thirty-fifth and ran a time of 18:34. Following Current was freshman George Nichols who ran 18:45 and placed 42nd, then finally, to round out the top fifty was freshman Hogan Benter, who placed 46th and ran a time of 18:52. 

Following the boy's varsity race was the boy's JV race, in this race Hickman performed well as they placed fifth in a field of eleven teams and 152 runners. Along with performing well as a team, Hickman also had four runners in the top fifty and among them, they had three receive medals. Starting the scoring was sophomore Tyson Francis finishing in a time of 19:39 and placing eighteenth, following directly after Francis was sophomore Hayden Backues who ran 19:40 and placed nineteenth. Hickman's next finisher and last medalist was junior Victor Mariano-Sanchez who placed 27th and ran 19:55. Hickman's last top fifty was freshman Ethan Dunn who placed 45th and ran a time of 20:28. 

All of the JV runners have had great seasons performing well, helping their team by placing competitively in meets and setting new PRs along the way. 

Next week, the varsity teams will head to the same course on Saturday as they continue their season at Districts and in the  journey toward the state meet.