By Justice Parker

On Saturday, Aug. 30th, the Trojan cross country team traveled to Glenwood for the first meet of the season.

The varsity girls placed second overall, improving from last season’s fourth place. Junior Tiffany Williams placed first individually. Williams also broke the course record with a time of 15:41. All seven varsity girls finished in the top 25. Head coach Paul Iekel said, “I thought we competed and ran well as a pack. I was surprised though, that many girs didn’t do better than their times last year.” JV girls also placed second overall. Three individuals placed in the top 15 earning a ribbon: Haley Carlson, Lexi Freund, and Justice Parker.

Varsity boys placed sixth and JV boys placed 5th overall. Two individuals placed in the top 15: Sophomore Phoenix Shadden placed 13th and junior Ryan Hawkins placed 9th. Head coach Paul Iekel said, “We need our veteran runners to close the gap between 2nd and 3rd places.”

The runners will compete again on Tuesday, Sept.9th, in Clarinda.