Sophie L. (Courtesy/Alester X. ) and Chris H. 

In their second meet of the season, the cross country Vikings traveled to Marengo, for the Highland Fighting Scots Invitational to compete against fifteen other teams on Saturday, September 2.

Our boys placed 11th, with standout runs from Dane C., who came in 34th at 17:54.73. and senior co-captain Elliot S., who placed 54th at 18:30.28. Fellow senior captains Dorian B. and Charlie S. ran 22:30.13 and 24:10.84, respectively. Meanwhile, the girls placed 8th, with co-captain Clara S.  contributing a 9th-ranked 21:09.79 and Melanie Q. assisting with a 14th-ranked 21:23.22.

In a noticeable difference from the bottom-five finishes at the Pickerington North Invitational on August 26th, the team can only become faster as its newer additions grow accustomed to the sport’s demands. Max B., Andy B., Giuseppe P., and Nate S. along with Adam A., Chris H., Henry S., and Noah M. refreshed the boys team. Leeyah B., Claire D., Jiaqi L., and Megan Z.  and Marceline O., asophomore, advanced the girls.

Co-captain, Maria M. said, “This Saturday, everyone significantly improved even though the course was a fairly challenging one. We’re all looking forward to seeing the team get better and faster each week, especially as the weather gets cooler!”

Cross Country’s Senior Night is the fall season’s earliest, so mark your calendars for Wednesday, September 13 at 5:00 p.m. as Academy celebrates Dorian B., Maria M., Elliot S., and Charlie S., all four-year runners.

Before then, expect the team to run on Saturday, September 9 at the McGowan Invitational at Watkins Memorial.