With only two out of the top seven runners returning, and a group of seniors that formed a state championship-winning team graduating, many in the cross county community assumed that the 2025 Hawklets would take a step back. Few believed that Rockhurst would be standing among Missouri’s elite come November. The team proved doubters wrong Nov. 1, placing third in the District 4 meet in Nixa, Mo. and punching their ticket to state for the 19th consecutive season.
Coming into this season, MSHSAA rankings–based on the top seven times on the team–had the Hawklets unranked. Instead, a season of growth and hard work–not to mention, record-breaking performances–ends with Rockhurst as one of only 16 teams from Missouri Class 5 competing this Friday at state.
Senior captain Ryne Hallier summed up the team’s mindset heading into districts.
“We did a great job of keeping things light going into it. We weren’t overthinking or putting pressure on ourselves—it was just about taking care of business,” he said.
Preparation was key for the Hawklets heading into the meet.
“We had a great meal the night before, got good sleep, and everyone just felt ready,” freshman Charlie Sullivan said. “It’s the little things that make the big difference.”
Going into the race, the plan for the Hawklets was clear. The district course was a two-lap course with many twists and turns, so having a racing strategy was paramount: get out fast and establish position, then move up aggressively during the second lap.
“I knew that we were gonna get pinched at the start, so getting in front at the beginning was a big deal,” Hallier said. “I was right in that 25-30 area, which was where I was trying to be.”
Meanwhile, at the front of the race, sophomore Jack McGovern was on pace for another record-setting performance. Already the state record holder as a sophomore, McGovern ended up winning the district meet with a time of 14:51, setting a course record in the process, as well as breaking 15 for the second time in the season—something almost unheard of for a runner his age.
Fellow sophomore Jack Morrison helped keep the Hawklets on track with a tenth place finish and a time of 15:55.6.
Sullivan became the fifth-fastest freshman in Rockhurst history with a 16:26, placing 27th.
But it was the seniors, racing in what could have been their final meet as Hawklets, who stepped up to help secure Rockhurst’s place at the state meet. Jake Bond broke the 16-minute barrier for the first time with a personal record (PR) of 15:56, just behind Morrison.
Hallier, running in just his third varsity meet, came up clutch, placing 34th as Rockhurst’s fifth scorer, and setting a PR of 16:40. He had never finished higher than sixth on the team before this meet.
“I think I had a pretty good day,” Hallier said. “It’s not an easy course, but I went out there, got a PR, and just had fun competing.”
The two seniors, who were elected captains at the start of the season, showed why their teammates trusted them. Head Coach Michael Dierks said Bond and Hallier brought pride in the team into everything they did, and it showed during the race with both stepping up and achieving new highs for their careers.
Juniors Jack Grisolano and Jack Neely rounded out the top seven with times of 17:29 and 17:31 respectively.
The Hawklets finished with 86 points, only six points behind the second place team. Rockhurst had four all-district runners, and all seven placed inside the top 60.
The top team at the meet was Kickapoo, with a dominant win of 57 points. Ray-Pec was a distant second with 80 points, and Nixa rounded out the top four with 96.
With their ticket to state punched, the Hawklets look to build on this momentum heading into the state meet.
“It’s some of the best races we’ve had all year,” McGovern, the district champion, said. “Now it’s all about keeping it rolling into next week.”
The Hawklets will compete in the Class 5 State Championship Meet at Gans Creek Cross Country Course Friday at 1 p.m.
