Excelsior Springs’ cross country runners are turning their focus to qualifying for state competition. The Tigers will attempt to qualify for the Class 4 state meet when they run at Class 4 District 4 competition, slated for Oct. 28 in Kansas City. The state meet is scheduled for Nov. 4 in Columbia. District competition follows two recent meets for the Tigers: the Battle of Lexington XC Invitational and the Greater Kansas City Suburban Conference-Blue Division meet. Kirsten Stout was the highest Excelsior Springs varsity finisher at the Battle of Lexington meet, hosted Oct. 7 by Lexington High School. The sophomore finished 19th, running the 3.1-mile race in 23 minutes, 48.3 seconds. In other girls results, sophomore Kate Houck placed 25th in 24:25; Kennedi Winford, a first-year high schooler, took 27th in 24:26.6; and senior Braylissa Whitworth finished 28th in 24:28. Senior Chloe Albertson finished 29th in 26:18.4. First-year high schooler Madeleine Wenz and junior Audrey Ishmael…