The pack heads out. Girls get ready. Honored Seniors and their Kindergartener Buddies (Abigail Z./Staff)

Our Vikings walked away with first place in all categories in a de facto win on Wednesday, September 13 at Cross Country’s Senior Invitational against Newark Catholic at 5:00 p.m. for a 2-miler. 

Melanie Q. and Clara S. placed 1st and 2nd with 13:23.05 and 13:25.05, both beating the Green Waves, who held the lead at the beginning, by over a minute. Melanie Q. said, “The other girl sprinted out at the beginning, so she lost energy quickly, allowing Clara and me to pass her later on.”

Sophie L. and Claire D. rounded out the girls top 5 at 14:50.45 and 15:08.37 respectively, with Jiaqi L. not far behind, running in 16:59.26. Maria M.’s 18:12.57 and Maggie K.’s 19:59.60 contributed to the team’s first-place score.

Our boys held the podium with three 11-minute times with Elliot S. in 1st with 11:11.37, Dane C. in 2nd with 11:12.36, and Andy B. in 3rd with 11:49.67. Jason S., Henry S., Max B., and Giuseppe P., with times ranging from 12:41.69 to 12:46.03, ranked 6th through 9th, concluding the boys race with 1st place. 

Academy honored its seniors, Dorian B., Maria M., Elliot S., and Charlie S., as family, friends, and K-buddies walked over from the race to the middle school playground decked out with a “Go Vikes” sign and free Canes, a fitting tribute to these four-year runners. 

 “I am honored to be on this team for four years, and happy my teammates have been so supportive,” says Dorian B.

Cross-country’s next meet is at Pickerington Central’s Tiger Invitational at 9:00 a.m. on  Saturday, September 23.