Two local runners earned medals at the state championships at Gans Creek in Columbia over the weekend.

Fayette freshman Liam Betts placed 13th overall in the Class 2 boys race, with a time of 16:33.8, a new personal record. Earlier in the season, Betts won the Central State 8 individual title.

On the Class 2 girls’ side, Harrisburg made program history by qualifying for the state meet as a team for the first time and finishing 14th overall. Sophomore Jackie Stidham led the way, placing sixth in 19:33.9, a personal record and new school record that earned her All-State honors. Teammates Josey Whitaker finished 101st, Marie Bergfield 108th, Lillian Hirner 130th (PR), and Erandi Reinaga-Mendez 140th (PR). The team also posted the fastest team time in school history.

In the Class 1 boys race, New Franklin junior Quincy Dorson finished sixth with a time of 16:23.3, breaking his own school record and improving on his time from last year’s state meet. His younger brother, Ryder Dorson, finished 35th in 17:24.7, a new personal record.

“Quincy held his spot with the top pack, and Ryder was hanging in with the 30s,” said New Franklin coach Allison Allgood. “I can’t even explain how proud I am of their growth the last year. Seeing Quincy finish with such ease and confidence just shows how much he’s improved this season, and Ryder was still digging up until the very end of the race.”

Also in Class 1, Glasgow’s Joshua Sayler finished 33rd in 17:23.7.

For the Lady Jackets, Maylen Parks finished 34th in 21:19.9, Kynleigh Stricker finished 58th in 22:11.4, Paisley Locke finished 60th in 22:15.3, and Kamryn Kottman finished 73rd in 22:35.4.