Cross country girls win Oak Ridge Invitational

Provided by Joe Garrity
Cats cross country team members with their medals at the Oak Ridge Invitational are, from left, Laila Stephens, Larkin Strong, Breanna Bone, Braden Braswell, Maddison Phares, Charis Moss, and Elyse Laut.

Provided by Coach Joe Garrity

The Blackcats cross country teams traveled to Oak Ridge, Sept. 19 for the Oak Ridge Invitational.  All five varsity girls medalled, as the team placed 1st over Jefferson, Perryville, Oak Ridge, St. Vincent and Valle Catholic. 

Breanna Bone led the way in 3rd place, Laila Stephens followed close behind in 4th, with Charis Moss, Maddison Phares and Larkin Strong also finishing in the top 25. 

“We came into the meet knowing we had a chance to win, and these girls executed the race perfectly to achieve the victory,” coach Joe Garrity said.

On the boys varsity side, senior Braden Braswell cruised to a top 25 finish as well, earning his first medal of the season.  

In the middle school race, Elyse Laut also medalled, finishing in 15th place. 

The girls cross country team traveled to Columbia Sept. 23 to run in the Gans Creek Classic on the University of Missouri’s home course. 

Freshmen Bone, Stephens, and Moss and junior Phares raced among 181 runners in a very competitive field. Bone led the way for the Cats, passing 14 girls on her way to a top 25 finish for a medal. Stephens crossed just after, finishing in the top 30. Phares set a new personal record and Charis Moss passed 23 girls in the last half of the race. 

The Blackcats runners will compete at the Notre Dame Invitational Saturday.

Provided by Joe Garrity

Provided by Joe Garrity