Cassville Democrat: Community Sports: Evans, Ragsdale win at Running of the Squirrels (06/13/12)

Top runners A number of Cassville runners participated in the seventh annual Running of the Squirrels 5K race in Marionville on June 9. Some of the participants included Daron, Jennifer, Pace, Jolie and Jacie Evans, Lee Schroeder, Natasha Kay, Jon Tygart and Tiffany Teel. Pace Evans, pictured above, finished first in his age division. Pictured below, from left, are: Kay, Schroeder, Tygart and Teel. Kay also won her age division.

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The seventh annual Running of the Squirrels 5K in Marionville on Saturday morning featured a number of local runners. The run, along with its unique awards and shirts, is a favorite among southwest Missouri runners, and provides funding for the Marionville Comets Band Boosters.

Great weather, a fast course and a park full of those loveable white squirrels all combined for an awesome morning of racing.

Matt Wegenka, a legend on the Springfield road racing circuit, was the overall champion, cranking out a 16:31. Austin Dunn, the Jasper High School cross country coach, placed second in 16:47.

Michael Morley, 17, of Monett, was the area's top finisher, taking seventh in 19:04.

Two area runners won their age-groups: Jerry Ragsdale, of Monett, won the men's 40-49 division and was ninth overall in 19:10, and Pace Evans, of Cassville, won the 9-and-under boys division with his 27:26.

Aaron Morley, 16, and Rick Sill, 55, both of Monett, finished 13th (19:59) and 15th (20:12), respectively.

Daron Evans was Cassville's top competitor, placing third in the 40-49 age group and 17th overall with a 20:42

Alicia Wimberley of Republic was the women's champion, finishing 18th overall in 20:55.

Josh Brown, 14, of Monett, finished second in his age group and 26th overall in 22:10.

Sophia Tharp, of Springfield and Cassville, took second in the women's 20-29 division, running 22:18.

Other area runners:

Angela Pederson, Monett, 45th; Marty Wallace, Seligman, 71st; Lee Schroeder, Cassville, 93rd; Josie Stubblefield, Cassville, 100th; Leta Shockley, Washburn, 141st; Shelly Wallace, Seligman, 142nd; Kim Chadd, Exeter, 164th; Leah Aldridge, Monett, 188th; Katie Chadd, Exeter, 193rd; Jolie Evans, Cassville, 214th; Jennifer Evans, Cassville, 215th; Jamie Wilkinson, Monett, 246th; Mary Ragsdale, Monett, 247th; Chip Beerbower, Monett, 248th; and Renee Tichenor, Cassville, 250th.

A total of 279 runners completed the course.