CLINTON – The Starkville High Yellowjackets cross country boys and girls teams secured top three finishes in the team competition at the Class 5A championships on Saturday and picked up individual victories in both races.
Saltillo was victorious in the boy's 5K (40 points) and the girl's 4K (31 points) at the Class 5A State championships. Starkville followed the Saltillo boys with 69 points, while Oxford finished third with 77. Pearl and Starkville rounded out the girl's top three with 66 and 71 points respectively.
Joseph MacGowan (16:49.60) and Damian Grady (17:10.50) packed the one-two punch not only for the Yellowjackets but for the entire race. Ethan Musser rounded out the trio of Starkville All-State honorees as he finished 12th with a time of 17:41.60.
"The boys worked hard," Starkville cross country coach Caroline Woomer. "They did what they were supposed to do. They did all I asked for. Overall, this was a good year."
Kate Mattox claimed not only the top 5A girl's time, but also the top girl's time for all classifications as she ran 14:49.20. Kate Mattox was joined in the top 10 by her sister Walker who ran 16:48.80 to finish ninth and earn All-State honors.
"I am proud of the girls," Woomer said. "They had great attitudes this year. "They have came a long way."
Saturday's races at Choctaw Trails marked the season's end for one Starkville sport, but not the end for the athletes. With the conclusion of cross country the Yellowjackets now turn their focus to the spring track and field season.
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