West Platte senior Julia Pattison poses with each of her state medals after becoming the first 4-time all-state runner in school history at the Class 2 State Meet at Gans Creek on Nov. 3.
COLUMBIA – When West Platte senior Julia Pattison ran across the Class 2 State finish line in 19:55.30, she became the first 4-time all-state runner in program history on Nov. 3.
There have been many talented runners – both boys and girls – who have done cross-country at West Platte over the years, but none of them were all-state four times until now. Pattison earned top-5 in three of the four years, solidifying her legacy.
“It’s a great feeling,” West Platte senior Julia Pattison said. “It’s a lot of work but all worth it and I just feel so completed being able to have done this.”
Pattison has an impressive running career in cross-country alone, which includes back-to-back individual district titles and runner-up at state as a freshman and sophomore. She was the leading West Platte runner when it finished in fourth place at state in 2020 and set the individual program record at state in 2021.
“The school record time, as set on the state course of 19:23.4, is recognized as the number one overall time ever run by a West Platte female runner,” West Platte head cross-country coach Mitch Giger said. “To put that in perspective, Julia’s time would have made her the fifth runner on the boys’ team when they finished third at state in 2013.”
The West Platte senior was coming off an impressive race at districts, having been the runner-up. Pattison improved her time from districts to state, crossing the finish line in 19:55.3, which was a season best and only time under 20 minutes all fall.
“Going into the race, I was happy, but scared because I was wanting to have a good time and to get the fourth all-state medal. I’ve gotten so close with my team – three of us are seniors and two of us are sophomores – so it’s bittersweet to leave them behind but they’re going to be coming up and doing good things,” Pattison said.
The West Platte girls competed as a team and ended in ninth place, falling short of a top-4 finish which is all-state caliber but each runner had a PR. Payton Reber was the second Lady Blue Jay runner, taking 40th place with a time of 21:55.6.
Addison Bailey ran in 61st place with a time of 22:38.2 and senior Kaitlyn Reinke ended in 23:54.2. Maggie Howard was the final West Platte runner, ending in less than 25 minutes.
The West Platte boys sent two runners, including 3-time qualifier Jonah McGivern who entered the day without an all-state medal. Last season, McGivern took 35th place, which was five spots and 5.9 seconds shy of all-state status.
The junior accomplished the feat this season, taking 26th place with a time of 17:23.3, which was a PR by 22 seconds. Sophomore Noah Rees was the other qualifier and also had a PR, earning 65th place in 18:21.9.