Hindman leaves legacy at Lafayette

Washington's Mikayla Reed is fastest female; Jackson, Rockhurst capture first Class 4 titles

By Erik Boal, DyeStatCAL Editor

A career of outstanding performances as a member of one of the state’s elite programs finally produced its defining individual moment for Austin Hindman.

The Lafayette senior not only captured his first Class 4 title at the Missouri State High School Activities Association state finals, but set the all-time 5-kilometer record at Oak Hills Golf Course in Jefferson City.

Hindman clocked 15 minutes, 22.30 seconds to barely edge the 2013 mark of 15:22.34 set by Marquette’s Noah Kauppila.

Hindman’s progression during his career was 38th as a freshman, then third as a sophomore and runner-up last year to teammate Devin Meyrer as a member of state championship teams.

Meyrer set a Lafayette record last season at Oak Hills by running 15:25.42, which ranks fourth all-time following Hindman’s performance. Hindman clocked 15:40.77 last year.

After Taylor Werner of Ste. Genevieve, Anna West of Lafayette and Hannah Long of Eureka were recognized as Missouri’s dominant female runners in recent years, a new star emerged in the Class 4 final in Washington junior Mikayla Reed, who prevailed in 18:02.26.

Reed, who finished fifth last year in 18:38.06, ran the No. 12 time at Oak Hills and ranks as the No. 4 junior on the course.

Rockhurst, Jackson finally champions

Following a Lafayette sweep of both Class 4 team titles last year, a pair of first-time champions stood atop the podium in two of the closest finals in recent history.

After finishing fourth last year and placing in the top four on four previous occasions, Jackson finally captured a girls championship with a 134-138 victory over Lee’s Summit West. Jackson’s top finisher was sophomore Kaylee Wilson in 17th place in 19:14.09, but the Indians’ top five runners were separated by 48 seconds.

Washington, led by Reed and with three runners in the top 12, placed third with 142 as the top five teams were separated by 12 points.

Following a 93-point loss to Lafayette last year, Rockhurst rebounded to win its first title by defeating Rock Bridge 109-116. Lafayette, which graduated four runners from last year’s state championship lineup, finished third with 117.

John Luder was third in 15:41.5 for Rockhurst, which had also placed second in 2011.

Festus remains on a roll, Bolivar breaks through

Maxwell McDaniel finished fourth in 16:13.48 and Festus placed five runners in the top 30 to capture its third consecutive Class 3 boys title and fifth overall with a 56-68 victory over Ste. Genevieve.

Springfield Catholic junior Stephen Kielhofner, who won the Class 2 title last year, moved up and secured another championship in 15:36.61.

Bolivar, led by junior Kelie Henderson placing second in 19:05.25 and four finishers in the top 30, prevailed 80-86 over Notre Dame (Cape Girardeau) to secure its first Class 3 girls championship. Bolivar had never finished in the top four in six previous appearances at the state meet, including a sixth-place finish last year.

Marshfield senior Tabitha Weber, seventh last year, improved by 37 seconds to win her first individual title in 18:59.92.

Haller sisters lead Fatima, Lamar back on top

Junior Brianna Haller repeated as individual champion in 19:29.18, with freshman sister Kendall Haller placing fifth in 20:02.93 to lead Fatima to its fourth consecutive Class 2 girls team championship with a 37-69 victory over Holden.

Lamar secured its first boys title since 2012, winning by an 81-130 margin over Stockton. Mark Venable was third in 16:38.21, Kolin Overstreet placed seventh in 16:54.63 and Jesse Compton took 14th in 17:16.26 for Lamar.

Whitfield senior Simon Gelber, fifth last season, lowered his time by 27 seconds to capture his first individual crown in 16:24.62.

Hermitage hauls in third, Summit Prep sweep secures title

Easton Sabala finished third in 16:57.03 and Bailey Jones took sixth in 17:21.12 to lead Hermitage to its third consecutive Class 1 boys title with a 55-100 victory over Lutheran (Kansas City).

Hardin-Central senior Riley Gorham repeated as individual champion in 16:43.28.

For the second year in a row, The Summit Prep swept the top three girls spots, but this year the Ravens had enough depth to secure a championship with a 66-80 victory over Salisbury. Despite its sweep last season, The Summit Prep took second to Crystal City by a 114-118 margin.

Senior Claire Workman won her third straight title in 19:00.60 – a 21-second improvement from last year – followed by sisters Claire McCune and Katie McCune in 19:47.76 and 19:48.48, who both lowered their times from last season by nearly a minute.