The meet is the culmination of the season for the young Panthers competing among the top 24 teams in Class 2A.
The EP boys finished 18th with 430 points led by 8th grader Blake Burns who completed the 2-mile circuit in 11:51 to place 60th. Brock Powell, the other EP 8th grader was 5 seconds back in 72nd. Lane Foffel (7th) was EP’s third runner in 12:20 to finish 113th. A pair of 6th graders, Owen McCormick and Jacob Hudler completed the Panther scoring, clocking 12:47 (168) and 13:02 (189). Malachi Mills crossed in 13:11 (197) followed by Henry Selburg in 14:25 (218), both 7th graders, to complete the Panther effort among 222 runners.
The 2A girls’ state final race consisted of 223 runners. The Lady Panthers placed 20th in the 24 team field accumulating 471 points. 7th grader, Addison Robshaw led the team placing 122nd in 13:53 with her teammates running a very tight pack in the race. London DeVore, an 8th grader, was 5 seconds back to finish 128th. The Panther pack continued as a 5th grader, Annabelle Wirsing, crossed the line in 14:02 just over a second ahead of another 5th grader, Brynlie Snowden, who finished 142nd. 7th grader, Ryleigh Hill completed the EP scoring in 14:44 (180). Clara Anderson (8th) was the sixth finisher for EP (194) and Markia Shaner (5th) was the seventh finisher (211) .
Head coach, Sheryl Von Holten said, “We are very very happy! It was finally the perfect day for a CC meet and it just happened to be at State!” She said all but one of the EP runners clocked a PR. “There were lots of smiles and congratulations around camp,” added the coach. “All we can ask for out of our athletes is that they be the best they can be today and have fun. It’s State, so the best of the best are there and the Panthers showed up.”
Qualifying teams or individuals for the state finals has become a tradition for the Panther program. “Our teams were pretty young and we hope to be back again next year,” said Von Holten.
Complete Meet Results
EP runners in the girls race.
