The Kentucky State High School Athletic Association had been using the same course at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington to run its cross country championships for the past 18 years. However, because that course will serve as part of the host site for the 2010 World Equestrian Games, the KHSAA was asked to move its cross country race to another part of the Horse Park.

The change in location altered the dynamics of the race. Instead of relatively flat terrain, the new course had multiple gradual hills that seemed to have an impact on many of the runners.

“That was the hardest race ever,” Mason County freshman Julia Woods said. “The competition was a lot of it. The course was difficult.”

Woods was the top local finisher in Saturday’s girls’ Class 2A 5K race. She finished 14th in 20:58.56 to earn all-state honors.

Based on the 20:35.90 she ran at the regionals, Woods was seeded sixth entering the race. However, because of the hillier course, times were much slower this year than in the past. Last year 26 runners in the girls’ 2A race registered sub-21 minute times, including Woods who finished 13th in 20:20.44. This year only 14 bettered the 21-minute mark.

There was one notable exception to that rule.

This year’s winner, Jenna Rogers of the Christian Academy of Louisville, covered the course in 19:28.12, which set a Class 2A state meet record and was 12 seconds faster than last year’s victorious time.

Rogers dominated the race. Elisha Overpeck of Lloyd Memorial, who finished as the runner-up, covered the course in 20:00.13, more than 32 seconds behind Rogers.

Woods posted the third-fastest time among girls who were freshmen or younger.

“It was about what I thought I wanted — top 15. I wanted to try stay with the front (group), but that didn’t work out too well,” Woods said.

Led by Woods and teammates Valerie Rice (54th in 22:22.11), Raylee Kirkland (65th in 22:46.80), Sierra Anderson (99th in 23:48.59), Sara Bellingham (118th in 24:20.13), Cara Woods (127th in 24:45.22) and Samantha Grayson (128th in 24:49.18), the Lady Royals finished eighth in the team standings.

South Oldham scored 41 points to defend its title. North Oldham edged Christian Academy of Louisville by one point (106 to 107) for second.

It was a bit of a disappointing finish for the Lady Royals, considering they placed fourth last year. But Mason County coach Mark Kachler was pleased with the performance, considering the injury problems which plagued the team all season.

“I was real proud of the girls the way they ran. Julia did well. I was very proud of them,” Kachler said. “They didn’t run as well as in the past, but we dealt with a lot of adversity this year, and I am proud of how they did. They are all back (next year), so we should have some bright years ahead.”

The story was not as positive for the Mason County boys. The Royals top runner, Jim Myers, who was seeded 29th entering the meet, was unable to compete because of an injury. Mason County also had a second runner, Seth Adkins, disqualified during the race. Both are seniors.

“I am very hurt for Jim. As a senior it was his last race and he was not able to go,” Kachler said. “It certainly impacts everyone else. With our No. 1 runner out, you’re going to fall (in the standings), but who knows where. The guys did their best. I hope Jim can come back healthy and running track real soon.”

Mason County was the lone area school to qualify its team for the boys’ 5K meet. The Royals finished in 26th with 627 points.

South Oldham wrestled the title away from Covington Catholic and last year’s winner, North Oldham. The Dragons finished with 81 points, followed by the Colonels with 90.

Franklin County’s Robert Sandlin was the individual champion in 16:22.73. He beat runner-up Ryan Thurman of Calloway County (16:54.30) by more than 30 seconds.

Fleming County junior Dalton Leet, who had to overcome his own injury to make it to the starting line, led the local entrants, finishing in 63rd in 18:34.37.

“(My race) was good, but it did not go as well as I expected. I rolled my ankle yesterday. I did all right under the conditions. I was going to try to follow Jim (Myers) from Mason (County), but he didn’t run, so I had to wing it from there,” Leet said. “The course was fine, but the heat was a problem. I was not prepared for heat like this, especially in November.”

Nathan Woods was Mason County’s top finisher, placing 71st in 18:44.74.

“I felt pretty good. I peaked out my training preparing for this. … I just wanted to have fun and build for next year,” the Royal junior said.

Mason County eighth-grader Nick Robinson finished 122nd in 19:28.60. Connor Appelman (172nd in 20:36.60), Daniel Appelman (196th in 21:32.85) and Nathaniel Grayson (200th in 21:40.39) rounded out the Royal finishers.

Fleming County’s only other entrant, freshman Taylor Hunt, placed 127th in 19:33.30.

“We had one runner (Leet) running on one leg who couldn’t hardly walk yesterday. He was limping up until the start of the race, but still ran an 18:30,” Panther coach Tim Hamm said. “Taylor Hunt was competing in his first state meet. Both guys ran great. I was really proud. We just had some bad luck.”

Lewis County senior Brandon Sander made history with his participation in the state meet. Sander, who qualified as an individual based on his finish at the regionals, became the first Lion to ever run in the state cross country meet.

Sander, who said he was slowed by stomach pains oSaturday, finished in 175th in 20:40.47.

“I didn’t run as fast as I wanted, but the weather was perfect. I couldn’t ask for better conditions,” he said. “I am the first person from my school to go to state in cross country, so I am pretty proud of that.”

Lewis County coach Samantha Reams was especially proud of Sander.

“I was pleased with Brandon's performance. He almost matched his time from the region meet,” she said. “I think he did wonderful, and I am proud of him and the fact that Lewis County has finally been represented.”