Nixa Public Schools

Updated Sept. 21, 2021, at 1:30 p.m.
 
Below is information regarding the 2021-2022 cross country season.

The teams opened up the 2021 season by competing in the Carthage Invitational on September 9. 

Both the eight-grade boys and girls team were crowned champions and the seventh-grade boys team also won the meet title. The seventh-grade girls team finished in second place. The eight-grade boys team were propelled by four medalist performances, including a first-place run by Reyes Martinez. The eight-grade girls team had five medalists performances, led by a seventh and eight-place run from Natalie Hawthotne and Meliah Copley. The seventh-grade boys team had seven medalist performances, including three top-ten runs from Asher Coorts (4th), Jaren Davis (6th) and Gage Holmes (8th). The seventh-grade girls team had four medalists, led by two top-ten runs from Brianna Bidinger (6th) and Isabella Benscoter (9th). Below are all the medalists and team scores. 

7th Grade Girls Team Place and Individual Medalists:
 

• Team Place and Points, 2nd and 63
• 6th Place, Brianna Bidinger
• 9th Place, Isabella Benscoter
• 11th Place, Myli Sears
• 13th Place, Ashlyn Crews

7th Grade Boys Team Place and Individual Medalists:
 

• Team Place and Points, 1st and 40
• 4th Place, Asher Coorts
• 6th Place, Jaren Davis
• 8th Place, Gage Holmes
• 13th Place, Justin Thomas
• 17th Place, Aedan Haskell
• 19th Place, Rocco Neal
• 20th Place, Kale Moore

8th Grade Girls Team Place and Individual Medalists:
 

• Team Place and Points, 1st and 66
• 7th Place, Natalie Hawthotne
• 8th Place, Meliah Copley
• 17th Place, Samantha McClain
• 18th Place, Riley Butler
• 19th Place, Shaelee Franck

8th Grade Boys Team Place and Individual Medalists:
 

• Team Place and Points, 1st and 43
• 1st Place, Reyes Martinez
• 3rd Place, Axl Sexton
• 6th Place, Alex Flannery
• 19th Place, Jack MacPherson

The next meet of the season is the Nixa Invitational on Sept. 23, 2021, at Inman Intermediate

The full season schedule can be found here.

For any additional questions, contact coach Sustaita at fernandosustaita@nixaschools.net.

2021 Season Important Links:

Pre-Sign Up Form
Downloadable Preseason XC Informational Document
Downloadable Season Schedule
Band App Communication

2021 Season Highlights Photos

Carthage Invitational             

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2020-2021

The Nixa jr. high runners capped off their season competing in the Central Ozark Conference Championships on Oct. 15, 2020, at Joplin Middle School. The eighth-grade boys ran to a fifth-place finish and the seventh-grade boys ran to a second-place finish. The girls swept away the field and both the seventh and eighth-grade teams were crowed COC champions.

Overall, it was a very impressive season for the Lady Eagles and Eagles. The eight-grade girls finished the season undefeated and won every invitational they competed in. They won the following invitationals: Nixa, Willard, Carthage, Monett, Camdenton, Joplin, Branson and COC. The Willard, Monett, Camdenton and Branson championships were a collective effort from both the seventh and eighth-grade teams. The seventh-grade runners finished runners-up at the Nixa and Joplin Invitationals.

The Eagles runners did not have quite the season as the Lady Eagles but it was still an impressive campaign. The seventh-grade team won the Carthage Invitational and finished runners-up at Joplin and the COC Championships. The eighth-grade team ran to a runners-up finish at Carthage and placed fifth at the COC Championships. Collectively, both teams won the Branson Invitational and placed second at Monett and Camdenton.

Standout performances all year came from Aaron Ashley (8th), Reyes Martinez (7th), Adleigh Murfee (8th) and Erin Seal (8th). Ashley placed top-three at every meet, including a first-place finish at Willard and Branson. Ashley's season-best time was 11:36.30 at the Monett Invitational. Reyes Martinez placed top-25 at every meet, including four top-ten finishes and a COC championship. His season-best time came at the COC meet where he ran to a time of 12:27.61. Murfee placed in the top-five at every meet, including a first-place championship at the Branson Invitational, where that was also her season-best time of 13:25.04. Seale placed in the top-15 at every meet, including six top-five finishes and two second-place finishes. Her season-best time was 13:19.94 a the Camdenton Invitational.

Brief recaps of each of the meets with results are listed below.

Girls Team Recaps/Highlights:

Carthage Invitational Sept. 10, 2020 at Carthage Golf Course
Both the seventh and eight-grade team won the tournament title, led by a total of 16 medalists collectively from both grades. The seventh-grade team competed against 52 runners from five different schools, including Nixa. They had eight medalists, propelled by four top-10 finishes by Meliah Copley (3rd, 15:21.7). Shaelee Franck (4th, 15:25.4) Riley Butler (7th, 15:37.9) and Hope Roberts (9th, 16:00.4). Other medalists on the day were Annabel Wilson, Brylee James, Anna Wiese and Shelby Hicks. The eight-grade team competed against 51 runners from three different schools, including Nixa, and dominated the standings. The girls walked away with six medals on the day. Highlight performances came by five top-10 finishes and a 2-3-4-5 punch from Erin Seale (2nd, 14:49.8), Adleigh Murfee (3rd, 14:55.3), Allie Erickson (4th, 14:59.2), Addison Bell (5th, 15:01.6) and Scout Breshears (10th, 15:51.9). Taylor Farr and Aubrey Kopp rounded-off Nixa's medalists.

Full results can be found here.
 
Monett Invitational Sept. 15, 2020 at South Park
The Willard Invitational was a 2400-meter run (1.5 miles) and girls continued right where they left off at the Carthage Invitational, crowning another championship to the early season. At Monett, both the seventh and eighth-grade teams were combined into one competition. There were 164 runners runners from 11 different schools, including Nixa. The team brought home eleven medalists. Adleigh Murfee and Allie Erickson led the way with top-10 finishes. Murfee placed a team-best fifth at 13:25.6 and Erickson placed seventh at 13:32.3. Other medalists on the day were Meliah Copley and Erin Seale finishing at 12-13, Addison Bell, Shaelee Franck and Scout Breshears.

Full results can be found here.
 
Willard Invitational Sept. 17, 2020 at Willard High School
The girls were combined into a seventh and eight-grade race yet again and they made it back-to-back trips back to home with a championship. The girls race fielded 135 runners from nine different schools, including Nixa. They had eight medalists on the day, all of which have been familiar faces leading the way this season. Adleigh Murfee (3rd, 10:14.10), Erin Seale (5th, 10:21.2) and Allie Erickson (6th, 10:31.6) led the field for Nixa as the only top-10 finishers. Shaelee Franck, Addison Bell, Meliah Copley and Scout Breshears were the other medalists.

Full results can be found here.

Nixa Invitational Sept. 24, 2020 at Inman Intermediate
The eighth-grade team was the story to write home about here as they won their own invitational championship, while the seventh-grade team finished runners-up to Webb City. The eight-grade race fielded 92 runners from seven different schools, including Nixa. They were propelled yet again by top-10 finishes from Adleigh Murfee (5th, 14:06.7) Erin Seale (8th, 14:22.8) and Addison Bell (9th, 14:41.5). Allie Erickson and Scout Breshears also finished as medalists and contributing significantly to the team title. On the seven-grade side, they could not out run Webb City. Led by the lone top-ten finish Riley Butler (9th, 14:26.3) and medalists Meliah Copley and Shaelee Franck, the Lady Eagles placed second with 102 points to Webb City's 82.

Full results can found here.
Camdenton Invitational Oct. 1, 2020 at Collin's Farm
At the Camdenton Invitational, the girls were fielded into a seventh and eight-grade combined race, which totaled 109 runners. The Lady Eagles added another trophy to their already successful 2020 season. Nixa placed seven runners in the top-20 and all returned back home as medalists. Leading the way for the Lady Eagles was Erin Seale and Adleigh Murfee, who finished three-four with a time of 13:19.94 and 13:25.5. Meliah Copley, Addison Bell and Allie Erickson ran to a 10-11-12 finish. Rounding out the list of medalists were Shaelee Franck (14th) and Brylee James (18th).

Full results can be found here.
 
Joplin Soaring Eagles Invitational Oct. 3, 2020 at Joplin Middle School
The eighth-grade team crowned the championship while the seventh-grade team finished as runners-up. On the eighth-grade side, Erin Seale and Adleigh Murfee ran neck-and-neck with each other to a four-five finish with a time of 13:58.07 and 13:59.04 in a field of 69 runners. Also placing in the top-ten, at ninth, was Allie Erickson with a time of 14:21.44. Addison Bell and Scout Breshears ran to a 12-13 finish rounding out the medalists for the team. The seventh-grade race fielded 72 runners and Nixa placed four runners in the top-20, earning them all a medal and a runner-up finish to Webb City. Meliah Copley (9th), Shaelee Franck (12th), Brylee James (14th) and Shelby Hicks (15th) all were medalists on the day. Copley finsihed with a team-best time of 14:24.83.

Full results can be found here.
Branson Cedar Ridge Invitational Oct. 10, 2020 at Branson Cedar Ridge Elementary
The Branson Invitational fielded a combined race for the seventh and eighth-grade teams. There were 49 runners, including Nixa athletes, and the Lady Eagles brought home the meet championship. The Lady Eagles dominated the race in the standings as six runners finished in the top-ten and had eighth medalists performances on the day. Nixa was led by a first-second place finish from Adleigh Murfee and Erin Seale. Murfee finished with the meet's best time of 13:25.04 and Seale was right behind at 13:33.6. Allie Erickson ran to a fourth-place finish at 14:03.32. Following Erickson was a sixth-seventh-eighth finish by Brylee James (14:22.33), Meliah Copley (14;23.81) and Addison Bell (14:37.8). Rounding out the lists of medalists on the day for Nixa was Maddy Genuchi (13th) and Shelby Hicks (14th).

Full results can be found here.
 
Central Ozark Conference Championships Oct. 15, 2020 at Joplin Middle School
In their final meet of the season, the Lady Eagles made sure to end it on a high note with some hardware. Both the seventh and eighth-grade teams were crowned COC Champions. The seventh-grade race fielded 99 runners, 20 of which were Nixa. It was a back and forth race between Nixa and Webb City but the Lady Eagles were able to edge the Lady Cardinals by one point. Nixa finished with 72 and Webb City finished with 73. Leading the way for Nixa were Brylee James (4th), Riley Butler (13th), Meliah Copley (14th) and Shaelee Franck (16th). James finished with a team-best time of 13:41.96. In the eighth-grade race, it consisted of 70 runners, 17 of which were Nixa. From the gun, the Lady Eagles dominated the race and then the final standings. Nixa finished the day with 38 points to win the championship, ousting Joplin's 68. Nixa ran to a 3-4-5 finish from Adleigh Murfee (13:33.99), Erin Seale (13:39.66), and Allie Erickson (13:48.75). Addison Bell (15th), Taylor Farr (18th) and Aubrey Kopp (24th) all ran to top-25 finishes.

Full results can be here.

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Boys Team Recaps/Highlights:

Carthage Invitational Sept. 10, 2020 at Carthage Golf Course
The seventh-grade team won the Carthage Invitational against 29 runners from three different schools, including Nixa. They were led by nine medalist performances. The eighth-grade team placed second behind Joplin in a race with 41 runners from four different schools, including Nixa. They had five medalists. For the seventh-grade team, they had three runners finish in the top-ten. Reyes Martinez, Dylan Mable and Axl Sexton finished as 4-5-6 punch. Cannon Davis, Spencer Livengood, Alex Flannery, Nathan Street, Jack MacPherson and Landon Kepley all finished in the top-20 rounding-off Nixa's seventh-grade medalists. The eight-grade team was highlighted by a runner-up finish and team-best time for both grades, Aaron Ashley. Ashley clocked out at 12:41.10, behind Webb City's Jace Schulte's 12:15.20 championship time. Ethan Giffin, Payton Harris and Quinn Cates finished 13-14-15 and Zane Champion finished 20th completing the medalists for the eight-grade team.

Full results can be found here.
 
Monett Invitational Sept. 15, 2020 at South Park
The Monett Invitational combined seventh and eighth-grade teams into one race. The race fielded 154 runners from 13 different schools, including Nixa. Aaron Ashley, again, was the highlight performance for the Eagles, running to a third-place finish and season-best time of 11:35.3. Ashley saw the likes of a familiar face in Webb City's Jace Schulte finish as the champion at 11:05.10. Joplin's Michael Parrigon finished second at 11:29.3. Payton Harris (10th) was the final Eagle runner to finish top-ten. His time was 12:18.9. Ethan Griffin (14th), Reyes Martinez (20th) and Dylan Mabe (30th) capped off the medalists for Nixa.

Full results can be found here.
 
Willard Invitational Sept. 17, 2020 at Willard High School
The Willard Invitational was a 2400-meter run (1.5 miles) and was combined into a seventh and eighth-grade race with 135 runners from ten different schools, including Nixa. Nixa placed fourth behind Joplin (3rd), Ozark (2nd) and Branson (1st). Despite the team finish, Aaron Ashley walked away as the best. Ashley was crowned meet champion with a time of 8:53.4, finishing ten seconds in front of the runner-up. Familiar faces in Reyes Martinez, Axl Sexton and Dylan Mabe also rounded-out the medalists for Nixa.

Full results can be found here.

Nixa Invitational Sept. 24, 2020 at Inman Intermediate
The seventh-grade team finished third against 92 runners from nine different schools, including Nixa. The eighth-grade team finished fourth against 103 runners from 12 different schools, including Nixa. The seventh-graders were led by medalist and the lone top-ten finish by Reyes Martinez (6th, 13:20.72). Axl Sexton and Dylan Mabe finished 15-16 and medalists. On the eighth-grade side, Aaron Ashley, yet again, was the performance of the day for the team. It was Ashley versus Webb City's Jace Schulte, yet again, to determine the champion. Schulte came out on top over Ashley by five seconds. Ashley finished at 11:39.52 while Schulte finished at 11:32.47. Ashley was the lone medalist for the team and his time clocked him with a season-best on the year.

Full results can found here.

Republic B Invitational Sept. 29, 2020 at Republic High School
The seventh and eighth-grade B teams took the course for Nixa at the Republic B Invitational. On the boys side for both grades levels, they did not place and had four runners compete total, two for each grade. Seventh-grader Malachi Knaak had the best finish on the day, placing 41st out of 61 runners. Fellow teammate Cooper Cates placed 59th. Damon Raines and William Beadle competed for the eight-grade team. Raines and Beadle finished 52nd and 53rd out of 54 runners. The seventh-grade girls placed seventh in a field of 71 runners. They did not receive any medalists, but were led by Ester Dancey, Hannah Middleton and Kayden Garland, who placed the team-best for the Lady Eagles. Dancey finished 31st, Middleton at 34th and Garland at 38th. The eighth-grade girls had the highlight performance on the day. The team brought home five medalists on the day against 46 runners. Brooke Thomas (19th), Ariyanna Eckert (22nd), Aven Goodnight (23rd), Vivan Basher (27th) and Averie Priutt (29th), all brought home medals, which led to a third-place finish for the Lady Eagles. Other notable performances include a 32nd-33rd-34th finish by Ella Venable, Tallan Russell and Vanessa Swift.

Full results can found here.
 
Camdenton Invitational Oct. 1, 2020 at Collin's Farm
At the Camdenton Invitational, the meet was a seventh and eighth-grade combined race and fielded 118 runners. The team placed second behind Osage. Like he has all season, Aaron Ashley ran to yet another top-three finish, placing third with a team-best time of 11:39.74. The Eagles also had a medalists performances from four other runners in the top-20 Payton Harris (11th), Ethan Griffen (12th), Quin Cates (14th) and Reyes Martinez (20th).

Full results can be found here.
 
Joplin Soaring Eagles Invitational Oct. 3, 2020 at Joplin Middle School
The eighth-grade team finished fifth, behind the lone medalist and a third-place finish from Aaron Ashley with a time of 11:35.3 in a race against 68 runners. The seventh-grade team had the highlight performance on the day. The team finished second behind Joplin in a field of 51 runners. The Eagles sent home three medalists on the day from Reyes Martinez (4th), Axl Sexton (6th) and Dylan Mabe (7th). Martinez finished at 13:04.16, Sexton at 13:30.95 and Mabe at 13:33.5.

Full results can be found here.
 
Branson Cedar Ridge Invitational Oct. 10, 2020 at Branson Cedar Ridge Elementary
Like the girls race, both the seventh and eighth-grade teams were placed into one race. The race fielded 53 runners, including Nixa, and the boys crowned the their second invitational championship on the year. Leading the way, like he has all season, was Aaron Ashley. Ashley ran to his second individual meet championship with a time of 11:42.43, ousting the runner-up by close to 30 seconds. Ashley also received major help from his seven other medalists to secure the meet championship. Payton Harris (4th), Ethan Griffin (8th) and Reyes Martinez (10th) all finished in the top-ten. Harris finished with a time of 12:32.26, Griffin at 13:05.10 and Martinez at 13:06.63. Rounding out the lists of medalists were Quinn Cates (11th), Dylan Mabe (13th), Zane Champion (14th) and Chase Levan (15th).

Full results can be found here.

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The team had a very successful season and there are many accomplishments to be recognized.

For the seventh grade girls, as a team, they were crowned meet champions six times this season at Monett, Willard, Carthage, Republic, Joplin, and the COC. The eighth grade girls were crowned meet champions three times this season at Monett, Willard, and Republic. The girls combined grade levels at the Branson Meet and won the championship as well.

Seventh grader, Isabella Johnnson, had a tremendous season as she placed in the top three six times. Johnson received the Bronze medal at the following meets: SWCCCA, Monett, and Carthage. Johnson was the overall meet champion and won the Gold Medal at the following meets: Nixa, Republic, and the COC. Another seventh grade runner to be recognized for her individual accomplishments is Brookelyn Bidinger. Bidinger placed in the top ten seven times. Her best performance was at the Joplin Meet where placed second and won the Gold Medal.

Eighth grader, Haldey Carrisalez, was one of the top runners on the team. Carrisalez placed in the top ten seven times this season. She was the top finisher for the eighth grade girls at all but one meet. Alexa Gaunt was another top runner for the team. Gaunt placed in the top ten six times this season. In all the meets, Gaunt finished right behind teammate Carrisalez. Her best performance was at the Monett Meet where she placed sixth.

Seventh grader, Devon Kemp, was one of the top runners on the team and he had many accomplishments to be recognized for. Kemp placed in the top three in every meet this year. Kemp won the Gold Medal four times at the following meets: Nixa, Republic, Joplin, and the COC. Logan Richart was another top runner for the team. Richart placed in the top ten six times this season. His best performance was at the Republic Meet where her placed second and won the Silver Medal.

Eighth grader, Zachary Naugle, was one of the top runners on the team this year and he had many accomplishments to be recognized for. Naugle placed in the top two at every meet, except for the COC. Naugle won the Gold Medal six times at the following meets: Monett, Willard, Nixa, Republic, Joplin, and Branson. Andrew Butler was another top runner for the team. Butler finished in the top ten five times this season. His best performance was at the Willard Meet where he finished second and received the Silver Medal.

Congratulations to the team on a great season.

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