Coach happy after start by runners

Mia Boulton and Madison Johannes are amidst a bunch of runners at the start of the race at Williamsburg. (Marie Boulton photo).

WILLIAMSBURG – Montezuma cross country Coach Kevin Gartman was looking forward to this fall, and after the first meet, even more!

There’s going to be a lot of fun cross country ahead!” he said after the Williamsburg Invitational on Tuesday, Aug. 30. “Great work by all runners tonight!”

Montezuma’s girls finished third out of eight scoring teams, trailing only two larger schools. It was the Bravettes’ best ever finish in this meet.

Gavin Strong competes at Williamsburg. (Mia Boulton photo).

What’s more, it was achieved without two state qualifiers from a year ago, who are taking care of injuries at the moment and were not able to produce scoring runs.

The Montezuma boys were eighth out of 11 scoring teams.

Claire Erselius placed 18th to lead the girls, while Carter McKee was 30th to pace the boys.

I can see some significant growth within the year we’ve had – and especially year to year as we compare times,” Gartman said.

UP NEXT – Montezuma runs in the Pekin Invitational on Thursday, Sept. 1.

Williamsburg Invitational

Braves Varsity
8th of 11 scoring teams

30, Carter McKee, 20:16.2. 37, Gavin Strong, 20:39.4. 38, Jayden Ross, 20:40.8. 42, Jack Erselius, 21:01.9. 63, Bryan Stockman, 22:40.8. 67, Kohen Holland, 23:28.0. 70, Jusiah Wetering, 24.02.

There were 79 total runners.

Bravettes Varsity
3rd of 8 scoring teams

18, Claire Erselius, 23:18.3. 21, Madison Johannes, 24:08.5. 22 – Mia Boulton, 24:43.3. 33, Lydia Singleton, 26:21.8. 35, Ashlee Eilander, 26:44.9. 49, Makenna Johannes, 26:44.9. There were 67 total runners.

Junior varsity girls – 16, Camryn Brennan, 29:50.2. 19, Haileah Eichenberger, 30:07.7. 39, Faith Ferry, 40:22.0. There were 40 runners.

Junior varsity boys – 34, Colton Benson, 23:30.3. There were 60 runners.