Kendal Music, left, leads a pack of runners during Saturday’s North Union cross-country invitational. The Lady Cats placed second. (Photo submitted)
The high school cross-country regular season has one week left and right around the corner are the league and district meets.
North Union coach Fred Holsinger is hoping his girls’ team performance on Saturday will be an indication of good things to come.
The Lady Cats finished second overall in front of the home crowd at the North Union Invitational.
“We were runner-up today and had three runners in the top 10,” Holsinger said. “Another runner, Kendal Music, coming off an injury, finished 22nd. That gives me hope we will be in top form by the conference and district meets.”
Ashley Hayward, who is a senior and captain of the team, took third overall in the time of 21 minutes, 37.65 seconds. Finishing one spot back was Savannah Amstutz, who had a time of 21:59.83.
Completing the trio of top 10 placers was Lauren Hall, who was ninth in the time of 22:36.00.
Music’s time was 23:49.94 and completing North Union’s top five placers was Catherine Hicks, who was 30th with a time of 25:16.44.
Also running for NU were Hayley Dayley (48th, 27:02.91) and Aunna Kasler (52nd, 27:22.47)
The individual meet winner was Casey Kimball of Pleasant with a time of 20:21.2.
North Union finished with 60 points to finish behind Bishop Ready, which had 45 points.
Getting to run in front of family and friends was key to the team’s success.
“It was nice to be at home with the people who came out to support you,” Hayward said. “We also know the course so that gives you a little advantage.”
Amstutz agreed competing in familiar surroundings was a big help.
“There were a lot of people cheering us on and knowing the course lets you know where things are and where to go,” Amstutz said.
Holsinger said there is pride to do well in front of those who are there to support you.
“It gives you a chance to show off a little in front of the home crowd,” he said. “They are also running for their teammates as well as themselves.
Pleasant placed five runners in the top 15 of the boys race to easily take the team title.
Marion Harding’s Payne Ratliff was the individual champion with a winning time of 16:33.75.
North Union finished ninth as a team, led by Tyler Huff, who finished 24th in the time of 18:37.45.
Also running were Travis Reber (41st, 19:59.75), Mitchell Marlette (46th, 20:27.83), John Popovich (55th, 20:56.08), Troy Harvey (58th, 21:22.63), Levi Bard (61st, 22:04.19) and William Popovich (64th, 22:22.04).
In the middle school meet, North Union took first place in the girls competition, placing four runners in the top eight.
Kailin McElroy led the Lady Cats, finishing second overall in the time of 13:32.7. Others runners were Kennedy Ludwig (fifth, 14:16.87), Lexi Golinghorst (seventh, 14:43.13), Josie Held (eighth, 15:29.56), Caralynn Hinkle (19th, 16:50.41) and Gabby Lindsey 22nd, 18:03.99).
North Union was fifth as a team in the boys meet.
Zach Meyer and Cooper Music each had a finishing time of 12:45.27 with Meyer taking 12th and Music finished one place later.
Other runners were Max Leavitt (17th, 12:59.41), Felix Plouck (22nd, 12:28.03), Phillip Ardrey (49th, 16:49.06), Nathan McCaul (51st, 18:17.36) and Rhett Staley (53rd, 20:30.44).
Tyler Huff of North Union runs down the stretch during Saturday’s NU Invitational. (Photo submitted)