“That’s a false start son, please step back over there.”

CHS junior Andy Hodapp’s heart sank. He had moved in front of the line before the gun went off, one minor mistake like this and he was out of the race.

The runners lined up again. The gun went off. Everyone went forward. Then two more shots rang out. Someone else had false started. The refs said a few words to each other, then turned towards Hodapp.

“Bring that kid back here!” a ref yelled. Some bystander had brought to the attention of the refs that a runner is allowed two false starts before being disqualified.

Hodapp returned to the starting line.

The relief on his teammate’s faces was palpable. Their charge was restored. They had a chance now, their goal of being in the top four in the state seemed within reach once again.

With adrenaline pumping, the final gun went off. The most important race of the year had begun.

Despite the false start at the state meet on Nov. 3, Hodapp went on to finish in 29th place, just four places shy of All-State and was the first runner for the Greyhound team.

As a whole, the team was sixteen points away from their goal of a state plaque (the top four teams at state receive an award on the champion’s podium). But the squad’s fifth place finish would make them the 3rd most successful team in Clayton history.

“It was a very bitter-sweet meet,” varsity captain Derrick Stone said. “But I really couldn’t have asked for better performances from all of the guys. I thought we raced with our hearts and as a captain, what more could you ask of your team?”

Just five years ago, when head coach Kurtis Werner inherited the squad, the best runner on the varsity team wouldn’t even have a varsity qualifying time on the 2012 team.

Clayton was ranked number 74 of 75 teams in the state, but with the support of a rotating cast of coaches, with the exception of Werner, and tremendous effort by the runners, Clayton managed to shape a team that others feared in races.

So, in the end, despite just falling short of their goal, Werner was proud of his guys.

“Selfishly, I wanted this team to have a plaque so bad, but after I took a step back and focused on what our runners had accomplished – we had done exactly what I had hoped they do,” he said.

The current seniors refer to “founding” their current team and feel that they have set a path up for future generations of runners. They have worked through injuries and set-backs, but never gave up.

“Cross country gives back only what you put into it,” senior runner Matthew Garrett said. “If you’re not willing to fight through the pain, then you’re not going to get faster.”

That includes running in the off season. Many of the boys will keep running to get better for next season, the reward from doing so is obvious in the races.

“I Have very high expectations for the team next year,” Stone said, “and I wouldn’t be surprised if next years team is bigger and bolder than this one.”