COLUMBUS – Bedford North Lawrence finished 23rd among a huge field in the Rick Weinheimer Invitational at Columbus North during girls high school cross country action on Saturday.
The Stars totaled 611 points. Milford won the team title in the 35-team field with 112.
Paige Voigtschild paced the Stars, finishing 14th in 18:53.66. Claire Voigtschild was 95th in 21:14.14, and Ashlynn York was 179th in 23:04.97.
“We had season bests from five of our girls, and Claire was two seconds off her PR,” BNL coach Amy Greenan said. “Paige and our two freshmen had huge lifetime PRs. Everyone showed up to race today, they were focused, determined and aware of their races within the race.
”With their new unis, the perfect weather, the fast course and stellar competition, they responded like I knew they could. We’re all pretty excited about the next few weeks. They like working hard and it’s paying off.”
Greenwood’s Lillian Rollings was the individual girls winner in 17:47.9.
In the boys meet, BNL finished 33rd in a field of 38 teams. The Stars totaled 829 points. Columbus Northwon the team title with 37.
Eli McFarland was the top finisher for the Stars, crossing in 163rd place in 18:24.8. Other contributors for BNL included Hayden Rich (185th in career-best 18:46.1), Kason Gulley (205th in 19:10.9) and Sam Strauser (223rd in 19:27.0) among a crowded field of 343 runners.
“We have made some good progress this week, and it was nice to see that emerge throughout the race,” BNL coach Nick Boyd said. “We didn’t bummel around out there and saw some good running. We’re starting to put some pieces together and build as a team, and that is exciting to see.”
Bloomington North’s Jacob Mitchell was the individual winner in 14:49.2.
BNL will compete in the Brown County Invitational on Sept. 13.
Columbus North Invitational
