COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Webb City boys and girls cross country teams delivered a masterclass in teamwork at the 2025 Gans Creek Classic on September 26, both securing first-place finishes in the Gold Division at the renowned Gans Creek Cross Country Course.
Joplin’s girls team made waves with a strong seventh-place finish, led by a standout individual performance, and their boys’ team battled to a respectable 15th place in a fiercely competitive field of 27 teams.
Webb City Boys Claim Dominant Victory
The Webb City boys’ team ran away with the title, amassing 91 points to outpace Kirkwood (146 points) and Ozark (149 points). Sophomore Andrew Dawson led the Cardinals with a 10th-place finish in 16:09.80 (8 points), setting the tone for a tightly packed performance. Noah Lankard (14th, 16:22.90, 12 points), Sawyer Dalrymple (17th, 16:26.10, 15 points), James Baldassaro (31st, 16:47.10, 27 points), and Aaron Dawson (33rd, 16:48.80, 29 points) completed the scoring, achieving a remarkable 39-second split and a 16:30 average time. Rylan Davis (43rd, 17:09.20, 39 points) and Oscar Antillon (46th, 17:11.20, 42 points) further bolstered the team’s depth.
Webb City Girls Edge Out Tight Competition
The Webb City girls’ team matched their male counterparts’ success, clinching first place with 91 points, just ahead of Lafayette (Wildwood) High School (97 points). Junior Brooke Hedger led the charge, finishing third overall in 18:24.20 (3 points), trailing only Notre Dame’s Martina Ressel (18:12.90) and Joplin’s Ava Doll. Araceli Perez (11th, 19:05.40, 10 points), Emma McKinzie (21st, 19:44.60, 18 points), Brooke Collard (34th, 20:19.10, 29 points), and Tatym Buster (36th, 20:20.00, 31 points) rounded out the scoring, with Olivia Klotz (57th, 21:07.10, 51 points) and Kristina Bundy (75th, 21:29.40, 66 points) adding depth. The team’s 1:55 split and 19:34 average time highlighted their strength in a field of 21 teams.
Joplin Girls Powered by Ava Doll’s Stellar Run
The Joplin girls’ team delivered an impressive seventh-place finish with 215 points, driven by Ava Doll’s sensational second-place finish in 18:17.40 (2 points), just five seconds behind Ressel. Doll’s performance was a highlight of the meet, showcasing her ability to compete with the region’s elite. Eliana Lujan (50th, 20:57.50, 45 points), Makayla Carter (60th, 21:12.10, 54 points), Arianna Matters (62nd, 21:14.20, 56 points), and Aly Modras (64th, 21:15.90, 58 points) completed the scoring, with Emily Reding (78th, 21:33.30, 69 points) and Nalyjah Madison (103rd, 22:22.40, 90 points) providing support. Despite a 2:58 split, the Eagles’ 20:35 average time signals their potential.
Joplin Boys Compete in Tough Field
The Joplin boys’ team fought hard to secure 15th place with 405 points in a field dominated by Webb City. Jacob Tatum led the Eagles with a 57th-place finish in 17:18.00 (53 points), followed closely by Eli Sneddon (63rd, 17:20.50, 59 points), Noe Fischer (94th, 17:45.70, 86 points), Adam Meier (105th, 17:55.60, 96 points), and Brady Honeycutt (123rd, 18:12.30, 111 points). Emet Kehrer (129th, 18:17.00, 117 points) and Dalton Gray (131st, 18:18.30, 119 points) added depth, with a 54-second split and a 17:42 average time.