EL DORADO SPRINGS, Mo. — Will Twiss highlighted the day for local runners as the Thomas Jefferson Independent and McAuley Catholic dominate the boys’ 5000-meter run, with New Heights Christian Academy also making an impact.
Thomas Jefferson Independent Claims Team Victory
Thomas Jefferson Independent School took the boys’ team title with an impressive 51 points, led by Twiss’ stellar third-place finish at 16:30.74. Spencer Long (seventh, 17:20.64) and Jack Twiss (eighth, 17:28.18) bolstered the effort, with Liam Cook (10th, 17:44.52) and Gavin Sharp (29th, 18:39.80) completing the scoring. The team’s 2:09 split between their top five runners and 17:32 average time showcased their depth and consistency, securing the championship.
McAuley Catholic Finishes Strong in Second
McAuley Catholic High School earned second place with 65 points, driven by Franklin Veer’s fourth-place finish at 16:45.74. Gavin Anderson (12th, 18:01.58), Thomas Perrin (13th, 18:03.43), Will Mollnow (19th, 18:17.15), and Luke Mollnow (25th, 18:27.46) delivered tight packing, with a 1:41 split and a 17:55 average time.
New Heights Christian Academy’s Individual Standout
While New Heights Christian Academy did not field a full team, Colton McMillan shone individually, finishing sixth with a time of 17:00.84, earning a spot among the elite performances. Emmitt Jordan (83rd, 22:03.36) also competed, representing the school’s growing presence in the district.