PECULIAR – More than 50 schools and nearly 600 varsity runners made the Oct. 2 trek to Peculiar to compete in the Kansas City Metro Cross Country Invitational, hosted by Raymore-Peculiar, including runners from Excelsior Springs. “It was a crowded mess on the course and our kids had to come to complete stops at some parts because of the number of kids bunched up,” Excelsior Springs coach Brian Smarker said. “I am pretty sure our times would have been a little faster had it not been for the crowds, but … (they) still did their best with what they were working with.” Tanner Lindahl of Buhler (Kansas) High School was the individual boys winner, finishing the 3.1-mile race in 15 minutes, 52.1 seconds. Sophomore Mason Wartner was Excelsior Springs’ top finisher, placing 135th in 18:01.4. In other Excelsior Springs boys results, senior Tyler Rumore placed 227th in 19:02.1. Junior Gavin Wilmes finished 287th in 20:37.6. Sopho...