OTTUMWA – The Wildwood Park course was fast, and so were Montezuma’s cross country runners.
The boys and girls teams had a total of 11 meet medalists and ten runners posted career-best times, at the Pekin Invitational on a steamy Thursday afternoon, Sept. 1.
Montezuma’s girls placed fourth as a team, while the Braves came in fifth.
Career-best times were run by Claire Erselius, Haileah Eichenberger and Ashlee Eilander for the girls.
For the boys, career bests were posted by Gavin Strong, Carter McKee, Jayden Ross, Jack Erselius, Bryson Stockman, Jusiah Wetering and Kohen Holland.
“Ten new personal records, including seven of right boys,” said Coach Kevin Gartman. “This was the strongest 1-7 boys race we’ve had since the 1990s, according to the results I have,” Gartman said.
“Lots of depth, lots of hard work, and still a long way to go. Yet lots to celebrate,” he said.
On the girls’ side, “this was Madison Johannes’ best race in 26 meets,” Gartman said. “Just an outstanding race from her, bringing back times from her mid-to late-year freshman season.”
“No Ellen (Cook) or Alivia (Cline), both state qualifiers from last year,” the coach said. “We need to get everyone back healthy together and we’ll have some fun.”
Here is the medalists list with times:
Girls
10 – Madison Johannes, 22:09.
14 – Claire Erselius, 22:38.
27 – Mia Boulton, 23:21.
45 – Lydia Singleton, 24.53.
47 – Ashlee Eilander, 25:14.
Boys
25 – Gavin Strong, 18:41.
27 – Carter McKee, 18:47.
28 – Jayden Ross, 19:02.
31 – Jack Erselius, 19:16.
41 – Bryson Stockman, 20:25.
50 – Jusiah Wetering, 21:25.