For only the second time in program history and the first time since 2021, the Nixa boys and girls cross country wrapped up their 2025 campaign by competing together as teams at the 2025 MSHSAA Class 5 State Championships at the Gans Creek Cross Country Course in Columbia, Mo., on Nov. 7.

The boys team ran to a ninth-place finish, while the girls placed 15th. The boys scored 233 points and ousted Parkway West, Jackson, Kirkwood, Park Hill South, Ft. Zumwalt West, North Point, and Liberty (Wentzville) en route to its team finish. The girls scored 331 points and defeated Liberty and Francis Howell Central. Liberty North (boys) and Blue Springs South (girls) were this year's champions.

Individually, senior and four-time state qualifier Reyes Martinez capped off his Nixa career by running to his first and only state medal, placing 13th in the state in a field of 156 runners. Martinez gradually ran his way to a medal position throughout the race. He was in 32nd at the 1000m mark, 30th at the 2000m mark, and kicked it in to high gear for the final portion, surpassing 17 runners in the final 2000m to place 13th with a time of 15:47.6. Although this wasn't his personal-best time on the course, it was Martinez's fastest time and best performance at state, witnessing previous three outings with times of 15:56.60 (2024), 15:52.60 (2023), 16:54.90 (2022).

Fellow senior Alex Flannery was top-35 the entire race, including 22nd at the 1000m point, but just missed out on a state medal. Flannery placed 32nd, clocking in at 16:04.1.

Junior Gage Holmes (75th, 16:49.8) and senior Zane Novinger (84th, 16:57.5) finished top 100 in the state. 

Boys Complete Results:

• Reyes Martinez, 13th, 15:47.6
• Alex Flannery, 32nd, 16:04.1
• Gage Holmes, 75th, 16:49.8
• Zane Novinger, 84th, 16:57.5
• Dylan Mabe, 108th, 17:18.4
• Evan Brett, 137th, 18:02.7
• Max Dodson, 152nd, 18:50.4
• Team: 9th of 16 teams

On the girls side, junior and three-time state qualifier Brianna Bidinger was the team's top performer. Bidinger was in 71st at the 1000m and steadily worked her way to the top-45. She was in 57th at the 2000m mark, 50th at 3000m, 46th at 4000m, and flew by four runners in the final 1000m to place 42nd overall in a field of 161 total runners with a time of 19:39.7. This also marked Bidinger's fast time on the Gans Creek Course and best time at state.

Sophomore Emma Hurst debuted in her first state meet and placed 80th at 20:27.8 for Nixa's best finish.

Girls Complete Results:

• Brianna Bidinger, 42nd, 19:37.7
• Emma Hurst, 80th, 20:27.8
• Meliah Copley, 110th, 21:01.4
• Mackinzie Harris, 113th, 21:06.9
• Karah Sackman, 126th, 21:26.5
• Molly Hill, 137th, 21:52.3
• Charlie Dunkel, 147th, 22:30.9
• Team: 15th of 17 Teams

Click here to view the entire state results.