Zizzer cross country teams crowned OMC champs, nine earn all-conference nods

Published 8:48 pm Tuesday, October 20, 2026

By John Deatherage/For the Quill

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The West Plains Zizzers boys and girls cross country teams captured the Ozark Mountain Conference championships Friday at Marshfield, pacing the field to bring home both titles while nine runners earned all-conference honors.

“It was a great day,” West Plains Head Coach Alicia Gunter said.

Gunter noted Friday was the program’s first time competing on the Marshfield course, which proved to be a good venue that allowed her runners to race hard together. Both the boys and girls squads faced a common top challenger.

“Both teams’ main competition came from Bolivar,” Gunter said, “but both teams went out and ran a Zizzer-style team race, resulting in the boys and girls conference championships.”

Hunter Stanley and Kaebrynn Gunter paced their respective squads, each capturing first place individually. Their teammates followed close behind, securing nine total top-10 finishes to lock in all-conference accolades.

Gunter said she is pleased with the teams’ performances as they kick off the championship stretch.

“As always, our goal is to be at our best as the season progresses,” Gunter said. “This has been a good season. The kids have worked hard and taken care of their teammates. We are excited to see what we can do in the postseason.”

The Zizzers are now preparing for the Class 4 District 2 meet on Oct. 31 at the Jesse James Fairgrounds (3001 N. Highway 33) in Kearney. The girls race is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m., followed by the boys at 11:15 a.m.

Boys Team Results

1 West Plains (21)
2 Bolivar (46)
3 Branson (80)
4 Carl Junction (124)
5 Logan-Rogersville (136)
6 Marshfield (148)

Boys Individual Placements (West Plains)

1st – Hunter Stanley, 16:17.4
2nd – Blake Romans, 16:21.3
4th – Joseph Roberson, 16:42.6
5th – Chaska Shearin, 16:42.7
9th – Dylan Wade, 17:20.4
16th – Knox Weisbrod, 17:47.1
17th- Bryon Davis, 17:50.1

Girls Team Results

1 West Plains (32)
2 Bolivar (44)
3 Branson (79)
4 Logan-Rogersville (89)
5 Carl Junction (90)

Girls Individual Placements (West Plains)

1st – Kaebrynn Gunter, 18:50.1
3rd – Lena Finke, 19:53.1
5th – Libby Hart, 20:15.4
6th – Abigail Mongillo, 20:21.3
19th – Jane Cobb, 22:41.5