Competing at the MSHSAA Cross Country Championships at Gans Creek Recreational Area in Columbia on Friday, November 7, Washington High School had five medalists while competing in the Class 4 ranks.

For the first time ever, Washington’s boys and girls teams both qualified for the state meet together in the same season.

The top 30 finishers in each race earned all-state medalist honors.

All-state runners for Washington were junior Gable Ohm, junior Mason Bliss, senior Steven Broadbent, sophomore Grace Owenby and junior Olivia Mahon.

“It was a great day, all-around, top to bottom. There’s been a lot of adversity over the last week. Whenever we needed somebody to step up, they always did. We can mention names, but it was just a great team effort. This team was always willing to fight together. They trust each other. It’s all about the team,” said Washington Head Cross Country Coach Mike Olszowka. “The boys and girls work better together. They chew the same dirt at practice. They collect the same hardware on race days. They’re in it together. It’s a great accomplishment for our boys and girls to be here together and gives them so much more to build on.”

The Lady Jays finished in fifth place in the Class 4 girls team standings, one place away from a spot on the podium, with a score of 169. The Blue Jays finished in seventh place in the Class 4 boys team standings with a score of 201.

Washington’s top performer was Owenby, who notched a fourth place finish in the girls race in a time of 18:38. It’s the second straight season Owenby has finished in fourth place at the state meet.

“We talk about Grace a lot. You look at her face and we’re not sure if she’s struggling, not sure if she’s excited, she’s just so steady,” Olszowka said. “When that gun goes off at the state championships, she’s going to go after it. She was in the top five for the whole race.”

Also in the girls race, Mahon secured her third straight all-state medal in as many years with an 18th place finish in a time of 19:39. Also running at the state meet for the Lady Jays were senior Josie Keiser (41^st in 20:25), senior Grave Gargrave (76^th in 21:25), junior Lena Wulff (101^st in 22:00), freshman Piper Tolle (117^th in 22:22), and senior Sydnee Winchester (148^th in 23:34).

“Olivia is three for three now with three state medals in three years of high school, which puts her in elite company. Josie is a two-time state medalist who’s been batting injuries,” Olszowka said. “Olivia and Josie always are going to give you everything they got. You can say that about our entire team. They’re not going to let each other down, and that’s what makes great teams.”

In the boys state race, Ohm led the Blue Jays with a 16th place finish in a time of 16:22. Also reaching the podium as all-state runners were Bliss, who finished 20^th in a time of 16:25, and Broadbent, who placed 22^nd in 16:29.

“For Gable and Steven, it’s their third trip to state and they both now have two medals. It’s Mason’s second trip and first medal,” Olszowka said. “Those guys just go to work and race. I don’t think there are tougher kids out there than what we have. They’re going to battle. When it comes to the last 1,000 meters, I think we’re the best, and those kids believe it too.”

Also running for the Blue Jays were sophomore Reid Obermark (85^th in 17:43), senior Colton McElhone (147^th in 19:04), freshman Isaac Bailey (148^th in 19:05) and freshman Cody Raney (155^th in 20:05).

“We had a couple of boys step up last week, which set the team up for an opportunity at the state meet,” Olszowka said. “It’s our first boys qualifying team since 2007. This is the highest placing boys team we’ve ever had. We’re going to have some big shoes to fill next year, but with the younger boys coming up and being a part of this already, it’s going to be a little easier.

“For our boys and girls runners who didn’t medal, it’s a great experience for them. They were a big part of getting both of our teams to state together for the first time.”

Photos of Washington runners at the state cross country meet in Columbia are below.

 

Washington All-State Cross Country Runners

Washington had five all-state medalists at the MSHSAA Class 4 Cross Country Championships. From left are Mason Bliss, Gable Ohm, Steven Broadbent, Olivia Mahon and Grace Owenby.

 

All-State Lady Jays

Washington runners earning all-state honors in the Class 4 girls race, from left, were Olivia Mahon and Grace Owenby.

 

All-State Blue Jays

Washington runners earning all-state honors in the Class 4 boys race, from left, were Mason Bliss, Steven Broadbent and Gable Ohm.

 

Class 4 All-State Girls

Pictured are the Class 4 girls all-state runners from the MSHSAA Cross Country Championships. Included are Washington’s Olivia Mahon, front row center, and Grace Owenby, third row, second from right.

 

Class 4 All-State Boys

Pictured are the Class 4 boys all-state runners from the MSHSAA Cross Country Championships. Included are Washington’s Mason Bliss and Steven Broadbent, front row, and Gable Ohm, second row, far right.

 

Grace Owenby, Fourth Place Class 4 Girls

 

Olivia Mahon, 18^th Place Class 4 Girls

 

Gable Ohm, 16^th Place Class 4 Boys

 

Mason Bliss, 20^th Place Class 4 Boys

 

Steven Broadbent, 22^nd place Class 4 Boys