DEXTER, Mo. - The Kennett High School cross country team traveled to Dexter for their first meet of the 2024 season.

According to head coach Don Franklin, it was a solid showing for the Indians.

This was the 11th annual Dexter Invitational which featured 24 high Missouri high schools. The boys varsity race had over 90 competitors. Top 20 in each race received individual medals while a plaque was given to the first place team for each race.

Kennett scored 175 points to place 7th as a team.

Freshman Crafton Binkard led the way for the Indians. He ran an 18:52 for his first high school 5k ever to place 20th and make the medal podium.

Sophomore Kade Anderson came closely behind Binkard with a 18:58 finishing time and 23rd placing. This was a one minute and 13 second personal record for Anderson from his freshman season.

Gilberto Ramos came 10 places after Anderson and ran a personal record of 19:52. Gabriel Checkett finished the 5k course in 21:41 while Rigoberto Mendoza rounded out the scoring runners for the Indians with a 24:06 5k time.

Avery Payne was the lone competitor for Kennett in the varsity girls race. She finished with a 5k time of 34:06.

“It was a really solid race,” Franklin said. “Binkard medaled and there were decent times all around.”

The next race for Kennett will be at the Second Annual Clearwater Invitational at Piedmont, Mo. The race will be on Wednesday, Sep. 11 at the Eagle Sky Camp. The first race will be at 3:45 p.m.