Paul, Ulmer struggle in Class 4 championship

Smith-Cotton’s Jenny Paul and Elizabeth Ulmer demonstrated how tough the Class 4 state cross country championship meet is.

Paul, a junior, finished 136th in the 169-girl field in 23 minutes, 2 seconds.

Ulmer, a senior, placed 142nd in 23:21.

“They started well. They were in the race,” S-C coach Tara Clark said, “but they kind of backed off a little bit (later on). In this race if you back off any at all, you’ll have 30 people run past you just like that.”

Emily Sisson, of Parkway Central, won the race in 17:56.

The unseasonably warm temperatures affected the runners, according to Clark.

“Lizzie said that (the heat) affected her a little bit,” Clark said. “I think they were just glad to be there. It could’ve been a better day for sure, but you live and learn.”

Notes
•Maksim Korolev, of Harrisonville, won the Class 3 boys championship in 15:48. Derek Lee, of Clinton, was eighth in 17:12.
•Sierra Jenkins, of Clinton, won the Class 3 girls race in 19:49. Marshall’s Katie Wells was sixth in 20:33. Abby Ersland, of Warrensburg, was 22nd in 21:21. Shannon Ward, of Warrensburg was 25th in 21:29.
•Caitlin Kruse, of St. Paul Lutheran, placed 21st in the Class 1 girls race in 23:16.