NICK INGRAM/Citizen photo
North Platte senior McKenna Fulton competes in the Class 2 Missouri State Cross Country Championships on Saturday, Nov. 4 at Oak Hills Golf Center in Jefferson City, Mo.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — McKenna Fulton didn’t hit the ultimate goal but understood the significance of her final race.
The only four-time Missouri State Cross Country Championships qualifier in program history, North Platte’s top senior placed 73rd in the Class 2 race Saturday, Nov. 4 at Oak Hills Golf Center in Jefferson City, Mo. She struggled through the early part of her season after wrapping up her softball career but rallied to earn a state berth in District 8 competition the week before.
Fulton posted her second-best time in four appearances at state.
“It’s a great experience,” Fulton said. “It doesn’t get to happen for a lot of people who have a bad season.”
Fulton finished in a season-best 22 minutes, 44.50 seconds — a little more than 20 seconds off her personal best in Class 2 a year ago. She made her first two trips to state in Class 1, including one berth as part of the first and only state qualifying team in North Platte history.
“She’s done a fantastic job, especially balancing two sports in the same season,” North Platte coach Brendan Cary said. “I just think it’s a great cap to her cross country career.”