1996 Carthage Lady Tigers Cross Country Team

Class 4 State Runner-Up Harriers

   The 1996 Carthage Lady Tigers Cross Country Team is the highest-ranking girls’ state team in Carthage history. They won several meets including the Carthage Invitational, MSSC Stampede, Springfield Invitational, Carl Junction Invitational, and the Neosho Invitational. The team placed an admirable second in the Truman Invitational (out of 32 Kansas City, St. Joseph and St. Louis-area schools). They also placed second to Olathe South at the Power Bar Meet of Champions in Shawnee, KS and to the West Plains Zizzers at district, sectional and state meets. The Zizzers and Olathe South went on to win their respective state meets.

   The 1996 team included five members of the 1994 team, led by seniors Jessica Boyer and Kim Sneddon, that earned third place at state. The 1994 team was the first Carthage girls’ team to win a trophy at state, regardless of the sport. Three members of the team were named to the 1996 All-State team; Allison Medlin (3rd place and Hall of Carthage Heroes inductee, 2018), Melinda Sneddon (13th place), and Margeaux Boyer (15th place). Other members of the team included Erin Williams, Natalie Coffee, Michelle Coffee, and Jenny Prichard. Alternate team members included Jessica Anderson, Danielle Lawrence, and Kelsey Lamb. In addition to state medals, Medlin, Sneddon, and Boyer were honored with All-Area first team mentions; Williams with a second team mention; and Natalie Coffee and Michelle Coffee both received honorable mention.

   Not only was the team dominant on the cross-country course, they also excelled in the classroom. The Missouri State High School Activities presented them with an Outstanding Scholastic Award for a combined grade point average of 3.95 during the 1996/1997 school year. They were truly exceptional “Student-Athletes”.