Trip Copple proved difficult to defeat Sept. 27 at the Oak Grove Cross Country Invitational. The Richmond first-year high schooler placed second among 48 finishers in the varsity boys race, running the 3.1-mile course in 18 minutes, 43.82 seconds – 38.1 seconds behind the individual winner, Oak Grove’s Jaxon Weber. Copple’s finish helped the Spartans place second in the boys team standings with 47 points – one point behind the champion, Odessa. Copple was one of two top-10 finishers for the Richmond boys. Junior Adam Summers placed sixth in 19:20.4. In girls results, Kamaile Carroll finished fifth for Richmond in the junior varsity race in 30:02.2. In other meet results, senior Drew Hawkins led the Hardin-Central varsity boys, placing 13th in 20:05 and Emily Barrett led the Hardin-Central varsity girls, taking 16th in 30:18.72. For additional results, visit mo.milesplit.com. Both Richmond and Hardin-Central were scheduled to run Tuesday at a competition at Excelsior Springs. …