LINN — Entering the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) Class 2, District 3 Cross Country meet Saturday morning in Linn with nine runners, Samantha Ridenhour’s Belle High School (BHS) athletes weer eying top-30 finishes to extend their seasons another week.

Sophomore Ellanor Kent will be the lone BHS Lady Tiger harrier on the Gans Creek Cross Country Course in Columbia this Saturday morning following her 24th-place finish in the Class 2 girls race at Linn with a time of 22:55.40.

“Ellanor has worked hard and deserves the chance to get to finish her sophomore season at the state meet,” Ridenhour said.

She was nearly joined by fellow sophomore Kenadie Bailey who missed state by three positions following her 33rd-place time of 23:33.70.

Saylor Kent (75th, 26:28.80) and Allania Moore (100th, 31:11.00) were also on the course for the Lady Tigers.

During the Class 2, District 3 boys race, Belle’s Tigers were looking to add to their first Gasconade Valley Conference in nearly 25 years with a top-four finish at districts and a trip to state.

Placing 11th in a very competitive team field with 300 points, the Tigers were led by sophomore Malachi Fredendall who placed 58th in a time of 19:57.10.

Following Fredendall across the finish line for the Tigers were Coltin Hazelwood (61st, 19:59.40), Connor Weigel (62nd, 20:03.30), Miles Frey (66th, 20:11.80) and David Skaggs (68th, 20:16.70).

Kent will compete Saturday morning during the Class 2 girls race at 11:45 a.m., on the Gans Creek Cross Country Course in Columbia during the 2025 MSHSAA Cross Country Championships.