Three members of Park Hill South’s record-setting cross country teams announced Division college choices last week. One will move on in an entirely different sport.
Jasmine Crawford (Missouri State) and Lexi Maddox (Missouri) signed track and cross country scholarships during a ceremony Wednesday, April 12 at Park Hill South High School in Riverside, Mo. Mallory Michel, a two-time Class 4 Missouri State Cross Country Championships qualifier, inked to pursue rowing at Kansas State.
A four-time state cross country qualifier, Maddox finished her career with an all-state performance as a senior. She placed 20th after being 44th as a junior, 30th as a sophomore and 65th as a freshman.
Crawford bookended her career with all-state performances. She placed 18th as a freshman and missed the postseason as a sophomore due to injury but ended up as a three-time state qualifier.
After placing 88th at state as a junior, Crawford returned to all-state form this past season, finishing 21st — one spot behind her good friend Maddox.
Park Hill South won back-to-back Class 4 District 8 team titles then won the Sectional 4 championship this past season. The Panthers’ made their first two trips to state as a team during the past two seasons, placing ninth in 2015 before winning a state trophy with a fourth-place finish in 2016.
Michel ran on both of the state-bound teams the past two seasons.