Yates Centers Hadley Splector had a winning time of 15:28.60 at the Missouri Southern Stampede, Joplin, Mo., where he competed against 372 runners primarily from larger schools in 5A-, 6A- and 7A districts. Yates Center is a 2A school.
Splechter, a senior, won the boys Green division, which consisted of runners from Kansas, Missouri and several other states.
Despite that makeup, it was Splechter and J.P. Rutledge of 3A Baxter Springs, who finished just 3.2 seconds behind, in the 5,000-meter race.
Teammates Austin Moffett, a sophomore, came in at 19:23.18, Mark Bacca, a sophomore, 21:23.64, and Austin Crabtree, a senior, with a time of 22:20.29.
Splechters time is currently best in state and the 38th fastest in the country.
Splechter runs next at Rim Rock in Lawrence on Saturday.
