Rodgers leads MCHS runners at Mexico Invitational

By Theo Tate

Posted 8/31/24

Emma Rodgers’ high school cross country debut on Friday was a successful one.

The Montgomery County freshman won the girls division of the Mexico Invitational at Green Estates Park with a …

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Rodgers leads MCHS runners at Mexico Invitational

Montgomery County freshman Emma Rodgers storms out of the starting line in the girls race of the Mexico Invitational on Friday. She won the girls title with a 21:27.

Theo Tate photo

Posted Saturday, August 31, 2024 10:23 am

By Theo Tate

Emma Rodgers’ high school cross country debut on Friday was a successful one.

The Montgomery County freshman won the girls division of the Mexico Invitational at Green Estates Park with a time of 21:27.79. Rodgers became the first MCHS freshman to win a race since her older sister Malia did it in 2020, when she came out on top in the Orchard Farm Invitational.

Rodgers was one of two MCHS runners to earn medals at the Mexico meet. Senior Jadrian Thurmon placed second with a 17:33 in the boys division. The top 20 runners in each division are awarded medals.

The Wildcats had eight runners who competed in the Mexico Invitational. The other competitors were sophomores Olivia Spurgeon (26th, 26:45, girls) and Jacob Roesner (50th, 21:32, boys), junior Katlyn Kolling (40th, 29:04, girls), seniors Beckham Cothren (59th, 22:30, boys) and Maddie West (50th, 35:47.44, girls) and freshman Braydin Finch (51st. 21:36.25, boys).

The Mexico Invitational marked the coaching debut of Bruce Powers, who took over duties for Chasity Rodgers this fall.

Emma Rodgers won the girls race by 20 seconds over Kirksville’s Concillia Kunseviko. She was in first place for most of the race.

Thurmon earned his second medal at the Mexico meet. Last year, he won the boys division by sixth-tenths of a second over John Holiman of Centralia. This year, he lost to Centralia freshman Nolan Spickert by 19 seconds.

The Wildcats’ next meet will be on Sept. 14, when they travel to St. Louis to compete in the Forest Park XC Festival.