High Hill Hounds turn in successful year

Posted 1/23/25

The High Hill Hounds youth cross country team enjoyed an outstanding fifth season in 2024, having numerous runners earn medals in seven races throughout Missouri in a span of three months.

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High Hill Hounds turn in successful year

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The High Hill Hounds youth cross country team enjoyed an outstanding fifth season in 2024, having numerous runners earn medals in seven races throughout Missouri in a span of three months.

The Hounds, who are part of the Central Missouri Athletics Circuit, competed in meets at Columbia, Jefferson City, Fulton, Moberly, Mexico and Grain Valley. They participated in the Cross Country Coaches National Youth Championships regional meet at Grain Valley Middle School on Nov. 10 and had 13 athletes qualify for nationals.

The Hounds include runners ages 6-14 and are coached by Miranda Ford.
High Hill began its season on Sept. 7 at the CMAC Development Meet at Beulah Ralph Elementary School in Columbia and had five runners leave mid-Missouri with ribbons. They were Silas Miller (third, 8:51, 11-12 boys 2K), Waylon Miller (fifth, 9:09.8, 9-10 boys 2K), Jaidyn Milligan (sixth, 9:39.48, girls 2K) and Willow Ford (seventh, 10:10.38, 9-10 girls 2K).

On Sept. 22, the Hounds headed to Fulton High School to compete in the Flash Youth XC Classic and had seven medalists. They were Silas (second, 12:15, 11-12 boys 3K), Jaidyn (fourth, 14:03, 11-12 girls 3K), Allese Gertson (fourth, 19:00.9, 13-14 girls 3K), Travis Neidlinger (fifth, 10:05, 8U boys 2K), Payton Gertson (sixth, 15:03, 13-14 boys 3K), Waylon (seventh, 13:34, 9-10 boys 3K) and Willow (seventh, 15:02, 9-10 girls 3K).

Six days later, the team competed at the Holts Summit Heat Youth XC Scorcher in Jefferson City. Silas led the way with a first-place finish with an 11:19 in the boys 3K race and was one of six High Hill runners who earned medals. Jaidyn (11-12 girls 3K), Willow (9-10 girls 3K) and Allese Gertson (13-14 girls 3K) finished fourth in their respective races, Peyton Gertson was fifth in the 13-14 boys 3K race and Waylon came in seventh in the 9-10 boys 3K race.

The Hounds had a program-record nine medalists at the Motion Youth Showdown in Moberly on Oct. 6. Silas was again the team’s top finisher, placing second in the 11-12 boys 3K race. Jaidyn (11-12 girls 3K) and Allese (13-14 girls 4K) each finished fourth, followed by Willow in fifth (9-10 girls 3K), Waylon (9-10 boys 3K) and Peyton (13-14 boys 4K) in sixth, Isaiah Neidlinger in 11th (9-10 boys 3K), Colton Brown in 12th (11-12 boys 3K) and William Eversmeyer in 13th (11-12 boys 3K).

Five High Hill runners received medals at the Hounds Youth XC Derby in Mexico on Oct. 12. Silas placed first with a 12:11 in the 11-12 boys 3K for his second win of the season. Willow (9-10 girls 3K) and Peyton (13-13 boys 4K) finished fourth, Jaidyn was fifth in the 11-12 girls 3K race and Waylon placed sixth in the 9-10 boys 3K race.

The Hounds wrapped up their regular season on Oct. 20 at the CMAC Youth Championships in Columbia and had eight runners earn all-star awards. Silas was named the 11-12 boys champion.

The Hounds had 13 runners compete at the CCCNYC regional meet and all of them qualified for nationals. They were Willow, Allese, Isaiah, Jaidyn, Colton, Peyton, Travis, Emmersyn Alder, London and Montana Wiggs, Madeline Schroeder, Lillian Elder and Jersey Ford. Willow, London, Madeline, Travis, Emmersyn and Allese finished with medals at regionals.

Other runners on the Hounds’ squad this year included Lila Cope, Alva Powell, Elliot Penn, Quinn Cope and Mercer Cothren.

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