Kennett's Kobe Patterson wins Van Buren cross country meet

PROVIDED PHOTO
Kennett’s Alex Yates (left) placed 13th and Kennett’s Kobe Patterson (right) placed first at the Van Buren Invitational cross country meet Saturday at Big Springs State Park in Van Buren.

VAN BUREN, Mo. - Kennett’s Kobe Patterson took home the top at the Van Buren Invitational cross country meet Thursday at Bis Springs State Park.

Patterson posted a time of 16:51. The time was 15 seconds faster than second-place finisher Carson McNail of Ellington.

“He’s a gamer,” Kennett cross country coach Fred Garmon said of Patterson. “He medals at almost every meet we compete in.”

Kennett’s Alex Yates also took home a medal. Yates finished 13th with a time of 18:25.

Kennett’s Larry Payne (19:44) placed 37th, Kennett’s Brett Bradley (19:45) finished 38th, and Kennett’s Carson Blansett (21:05) took 66th.

“All our guys ran really well,” Garmon said. “They all set personal records , which is great.”

Kennett returns to action Saturday when it competes at the Notre Dame Invitational.

“It’s a really good meet with really good competition,” Garmon said. “It’s on the course we will compete at in districts so it will be nice to get a feel of that course this weekend.”

TOP 15 FINISHERS: 1. Kobe Patterson, Kennett 16:51; T2. Carson McNail, Ellington 17:04; T2. Eli Bullock, Naylor 17:04; 4. Zathan Lhamon, Couch 17:38; 5. Carter Dorton, Dexter 17:45; 6. Gavin Cartwright, Dexter 17:56; 7. Braxton Walker, East Carter County 18:02; 8. Dominic Hill, Van Buren 18:04; 9. Brady Corder, Mansfield 18:07; 10. Kaiden Vanwinkle, Winona 18:14; 11. Jacob Cheney, Clearwater 18:20; 12. Nicholas Carter, Bloomfield 18:23; 13. Alex Yates, Kennett 18:25; 14. Cameron Jarrett, Norwood 18:26, T15. Trenton Huskey, Thayer 18:27; T15. Matthew Townsend, Alton 18:27; T15. Jack Grubbs, Mansfield, 18:27.