After several grueling practices, the hard work of the boys’ cross country team paid off at the Vinton-Shellsburg Invitational on Sept. 24. The team won the meet and took home the first place trophy.

The boys’ team is made up of over 20 runners, with the top seven on varsity. During the Tuesday meet, the varsity and junior varsity races ran simultaneously. 

Tyger Vaske (11) enjoyed participating as one team.

“It was fun to warm up with everyone,” Vaske said. “Running as one big team also helped the JV kids to run faster.”

Seniors Nathan Goranson and Isaiah Rich placed second and third, with the rest of the varsity team finishing in the top 20 runners. With these placements, the boys earned the first place title with an average time of 18:39.

“It was an amazing feeling to be part of a winning team,” Goranson said. “Bringing home a trophy was a great highlight of homecoming week, and this helps bring recognition to our program and the hard workers on our team. I felt honored to contribute to the win, and we are definitely headed in the right direction.”