Potosi leaves 20 teams behind to win Hazelwood Central Invitational

ST. LOUIS — The Potosi cross country team displayed once again on Saturday why it is among the most elite in the state. The Trojans mastered one of the most challenging courses in Missouri at Sioux Passage Park in St. Louis to win first place at the Hazelwood Central Invitational.

The majority of the 21 teams participating in the race represented Class 4 schools, making Potosi one of the smallest schools at the event. That fact was irrelevant, however as the Trojans dominated the field.

Potosi finished with a team score of 36, while Jefferson City placed second with 74. Columbia Hickman earned third place with 106 points, and O’Fallon, Illinois took fourth with 134.

Although a Trojan runner did not cross the finish line first, there was still plenty of purple and gold at the front of the pack. All seven members of the Potosi entourage earned individual medals.

Josh Thebeau finished second with a team-best time of 17:03, while Bryce Malloy was one second behind him in third. Fourth place was claimed by Josh Mathis with a time of 17:06.

Andrew Reed’s time of 17:41 was good enough for 13th place, just ahead of teammate Daniel Forbes in 14th at 17:42. Ryan Portell (17:53) and Ricky Armstrong (18:34) finished 18th and 36th, respectively.

Potosi will travel to Jefferson Barracks Park in St. Louis County on Saturday to race at the Hancock Invitational.

In other cross country action on Thursday, Arcadia Valley took part in a meet at Steelville High School. The only senior on the squad, Edwina King earned second place in the varsity race with a strong time of 21:38.

Mickey King of Arcadia Valley won the boys’ junior varsity race with his time of 18:55.