Dexter's Nea breaks own school record, wins SEMO Conference cross country meet

POPLAR BLUFF — Running in a conference championship race for the second time in four days, Dexter's Margo Nea ran away from the field Thursday for a clean sweep.

Nea won the SEMO Conference cross country race at Ozark Ridge Golf Course after winning the SCAA title Monday.

"It was pretty difficult," Nea said of the turnaround. "My legs kind of felt a little tight but the weather's good. It was a good course, a little hilly, but it felt good."

Dexter runners warm up prior to the start of the varsity race during the SEMO Conference cross country championship race Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019, at Ozark Ridge Golf Course in Poplar Bluff.DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC/Brian Rosener

Nea finished in a school-record 19 minutes, 32.9 seconds, winning by 52 seconds and was the only runner to earn all-conference honors not from either Jackson or Notre Dame. Notre Dame’s Paige Beussink was second (20:24.94).

Jackson beat Notre Dame to win the team title 32-37.

Dexter finished third with 80 points, and Poplar Bluff was fourth with 87.

Jackson won the boys team title for the sixth straight year, beating Notre Dame 30-45 with all five runners earning all-conference honors.

Dexter’s boys placed fourth behind Poplar Bluff.

Carter Dorton led Dexter in 12th place.

Notre Dame's Blake Morris defended his title, winning in 15:42.94. Jackson’s Luke Wendel finished second at 16:21 while Poplar Bluff's Jaden Deaton followed 13.8 seconds later.

__DEXTER__

BOYS: 12, Carter Dorton, 18:01.33; 16, Gavin Cartwright, 18:36.95; 17, Andrew Ellinghouse, 18:48.75; 26, Clayton Bell, 20:28.33; 29, Gage Coleman, 20:53.66; 32, Wyatt Parker, 21:03.43; 34, Alex Cornelison, 21:56.60.

GIRLS: 1, Margo Nea, 19:32.90; 17, Gabby Brown, 22:35.96; 20, Alanie Lacy, 23:38.92; 26, Maria Ureta, 25:14.04; 28, Maddie Slaton, 28:30; 29, Kalyn Traw, 29:32; 30, Jaycee Chappell, 29:54.