Following a top-four performance at the district meet, the Nixa boys and girls cross country teams will compete together as a unit for only the second time in program history. The last time this feat happened was in 2021, when both teams placed 13th.

The 2025 MSHSAA Class 5 State Cross Country Championships will be held on Friday, Nov. 7, at the Gans Creek Cross Country Course in Columbia, Mo.

The gates open at 8 a.m. The boys race begins at 1 p.m., and the girls race begins at 1:45 p.m. The awards presentation follows at 2:30 p.m.

Admission to the meet is $12 and must be purchased via MSHSAA here.

The race will be live broadcasted courtesy of MSHSAA on MSHSAA.tv for a PPV of $15 here.

Updates on the runners can be tracked on Nixa's social media.
X (Twitter): nixaathletics
Facebook: Nixa Athletics
Instagram: nixaathletics

Click here to view additional state meet information.

For a third straight year and fourth in the last five years, the boys will compete together as a team. The 2025 boys state team features seniors Reyes Martinez (4x state qualifier), Alex Flannery (3x state qualifier), Zane Novinger (3x state qualifier), and Dylan Mabe, juniors Gage Holmes (2x state qualifier), Max Dodson, and Evan Brett. Junior Roy Perez and freshmen Nathan Eisenhart and Colton Stewart serve as alternates.

Martinez, Flannery, Novinger, and Holmes were members of last year's state team that placed seventh overall. Martinez, Flannery, and Novinger were also key runners of the 2023 state team that captured Nixa's first-ever state trophy (4th). 

The girls return to the state championships as a team for the first time since qualifying back-to-back in 2022 and 2021, placing 16th and 13th, respectively. The team is comprised of senior Mackinzie Harris (3x qualifier and 2023 state medalist), Meliah Copley (3x state qualifier), junior Brianna Bidinger (3x state qualifier), sophomores Emma Hurst, Karah Sackman, Molly Hill, and Charlie Dunkel. Junior Emma Etheridge and freshmen Hope Angell and Raelee Hewitt serve as alternates.

Harris and Copley were members of the 2022 team, and Harris placed 24th in 2023, capturing a state medal.
 

---

Preview/Runner State:

Times at Gans Creek Classic Sept. 26:
Boys:

• Reyes Martinez, 15:28.00 | State Times-Place: 15:56.60 (2024), 15:52.60 (2023), 16:54.90 (2022) | Best State Finish: 31st, 2024
• Alex Flannery, 16:08.30 | State Times: 16:11.50 (2024), 6:23.90 (2023) | Best State Finish: 41st, 2024
• Zane Novinger, 16:53.90 | State Times: 16:41.10 (2024), 16:20.20 (2023) | Best State Finish: 91st, 2024
• Gage Holmes, 16:43.90 | State Times: 16:54.10 (2024)
• Dylan Mabe, 16:27.60
• Evan Brett, 17:57.90
• Max Dodson, 18:19.70
• Team Finish, 14th of 32 Teams

Girls:

• Mackinzie Harris, 20:04.20 | State Times: 18:45.00 (2023), 21:16.50 (2022) | Best State Finish: 24th (All-State), 2023
• Brianna Bidinger, did not run | State Times: 20:04.20 (2024), 20:21.50 (2023) | Best State Finish: 88th, 2024
• Meliah Copley, 20:07.50 | State Times: 20:37.30 (2023), 21:34.70 (2022) | Best State Finish: 131st, 2023
• Emma Hurst, 20:07.60 
• Karah Sackman, 21:43.90
• Molly Hill, 21:50.50
• Charlie Dunkel, 22:11.70
• Team Finish, 22nd of 32 Teams

MO Top-150 Class 5 Pre-State Meet Ranking (Nixa), According to Athletic.net:

Boys (State Best Time: 14:44.70):

• 13th, Reyes Martinez, 15:28.00 (Gans Creek)
• 31st, Alex Flannery, 15:43.70 (SWCCCA)
• 84th, Gage Holmes, 16:14.80 (Class 5 District 2)
• 86th, Zane Novinger, 16:17.20 (Class 5 District 2)
• 106th, Dylan Mabe, 16:27.60 (Gans Creek)

Click here for the entire boys Class 5 state rankings.

Girls (State Best Time: 17:33.50):

• 67th, Brianna Bidinger, 19:30.10 (Class 5 District 2)
• 69th, Emma Hurst, 19:31.80 (Class 5 District 2)
• 80th, Meliah Copley, 19:41.10 (Class 5 District 2)
• 84th, Mackinzie Harris, 19:45.60 (Class 5 District 2)

Click here for the entire girls Class 5 state rankings.

All-Time Personal Best Times:
Boys:

• Reyes Martinez, 15:28.00
• Alex Flannery, 15:43.70
• Gage Holmes, 16:14.80
• Zane Novinger, 16:15.00
• Dylan Mabe, 16:27.60
• Evan Brett, 16.56.60
• Max Dodson, 17:54.10

Girls:

• Mackinzie Harris, 18:45.00
• Brianna Bidinger, 19:30.10
• Emma Hurst, 19:31.80
• Meliah Copley, 19:41.10
• Karah Sackman, 20:41.40
• Molly Hill, 21:02.70
• Charlie Dunkel, 21:24.20