POINT LOOKOUT, MO. — On Saturday, Nov. 8, the School of the Ozarks Cross Country teams made history at the Class 1 state meet by claiming the state championship titles for both the boys and girls teams. In addition, sophomore Kellen Robertson won the Class 1 individual title for the Missouri State High School Athletic Association cross country championships. On the girls side, Ella Howard was the top finisher, taking home 10th place.
Dr. Brad Dolloff, dean of School of the Ozarks, shared why the teams’ accomplishments at the Gans Creek XC course in Columbia, Missouri, was one worth remembering for a lifetime: “State championships are very rare occurrences. I have coached or been involved with schools for nearly 40 years, and I have only been at one other school that won a state championship! To earn two in the same year is unprecedented!”
First Team and Second Team recognition were as follows: Boys First Team All Regional included Kellen Robertson;
Boys Second Team All Regional included Isaac Todd, Dekker Youngblood, Oliver Mutrux, and Henry Cerrretti. Girls First Team All Regional included Ella Howard, Krystina Evans, and Girls Second Team All Regional included Lorelai Strathmam, Helena Smilie, and Claire Knight.
Their victory at the state tournament came as a result of hard work and determination. Head Coach Andrew Pyatt shared his insight on the Patriots dedication: “First and foremost, I think it is their grit. They came out today ready to work hard, glorify God, and love their neighbor. They are hardworking kids.”
The students came back from their victory with humility, giving teammates, coaches, and God the glory for their win.
“God is so good,” said senior Ella Howard. “He’s given this opportunity to us to be state champions, and we are so thankful for it. Seeing all of us girls come together and giving our all is so amazing to see.”
Robertson, who claimed the Class 1 individual title, gave his full effort in the race: “First place for myself is amazing, but to have the whole team here and experience this with them is incredible.”
The girls team had a rocky start in the beginning, struggling to find enough runners to comprise a team. Despite their struggles, they overcame and learned that tenacity and hard work pay off in the end.
“About halfway through the season, we realized that if we stuck with it, we would have a chance to win,” Howard said.
Dolloff shared his admiration for the young athletes: “I am most proud that none of the athletes acted conceited or arrogant about their accomplishments. As 1 Corinthians 9 states, they ran ‘in such a way as to win the prize,’ both literally and metaphorically. Kellen Robertson, as a sophomore, being the individual state champion, would have every reason to lack humility. Instead, he honored his teammates, his coaches, his school, and most of all Christ with his humble demeanor.”
Additional accolades
In addition to the team and individual wins, sophomore Kellen Robertson was named Athlete of the Year, and Coach Andrew Pyatt was named Coach of the Year, by the Southwest Cross Country Coaches Association.