Jackson advances four runners to state cross country meet

Four Jackson runners advanced to the Missouri Class 4 Cross Country Championships with top 30 finishes at Saturday's sectional meet at Parkway Central High School in suburban St. Louis.

Senior Gabe Underwood led the charge with an eighth-place finish in the boys race, covering the 3.1-mile layout in 16 minutes, 43 seconds. Underwood had just missed out on qualifying as a junior.

"It was very well deserved," Jackson coach Andrea Talley said. "He did a great job. He's led us all year. It was great to see him going state his senior year. We were very excited."

Junior Jack Jeffers placed 15th to qualify for the second straight year. He finished in 16:54, helping the Indians to a sixth-place finish in the team standings with 128 points. Jackson had finished second in its district to qualify as a team for the meet. Lafayette won the boys title with 49 points.

Sophomore Chelsea Drum also became a two-time state qualifier with an 11th-place finish on the girls side, clocking 19:33. Junior Tayler Winick will join her at state after placing 29th in 20:35.

Jackson's girls, who placed fourth in their district, finished with a 169-point total to finish sixth in the sectional meet. Lafayette won with 51 points.

The state meet will be held Saturday at the Oak Hills Golf Center at Hough Park in Jefferson City, Mo.

Boys

Team -- Lafayette 49, DeSmet 83, Marquette 85, Eureka 86, Oakville 104, Jackson 128, Lindbergh 175, Mehlville 185

Jackson -- Gabe Underwood (8th, 16:43), Jack Jeffers(15, 16:54). Calvin Lysell (35, 17:37), Caleb Bess (56, 18:01), Alex Philipps (71, 18:26), Charlie Townssend (74, 18:45), Austin Dost (75, 18:55)

Central -- Logan Wright (53, 17:59), Riley Duncan (63, 18:11)

Girls

Team -- Lafayette 51, Eureka 57, Cor Jesu 81, Marquette 96, Parkway West 126, Jackson 169, Rockwood Summit 169, Lindbergh 172

Jackson -- Chelsea Drumm (11, 19:33), Tayler Winick (29, 20:35), Carli Knott (55, 21:25), Courtney Hahs (57, 21:32), Leah Hecht (62, 21:38), Carlee Williamson (63, 21:41), Mollie Cunningham (64, 21:44)

-- From staff reports