By Fred Kroner
Three seniors led the way as St. Joseph-Ogden outstepped the field on Saturday (Aug. 28) to capture team honors in the 10-school Doc Acklin Memorial boys’ cross-country invitational in Paris.
The senior leaders entered the finish chute within 6.3 seconds of one another.
Luke Stegall was fourth overall, finishing the 3-mile course in 17 minutes, 18.5 seconds. He was trailed by Charlie Mabry (fifth in 17:24.4) and Elijah Mock (sixth in 17:24.8) in a field of 71 runners.
They were followed by Carson Maroon (ninth in 17:42.7), Payton Wendell (11th in 18:25.0), Ethan Blackburn (18th in 19:03.9), Isaiah Mock (22nd in 19:41.2) and Aden Armstrong (27th in 20:15.7).
Other SJ-O participants were Holden Jones (35th in 20:47.6), Mason Guido (37th in 20:59.0), Jack Fisher (41st in 21:35.6), Joe Griebat (52nd in 23:27.9) and E.J. Beckett (71st in 33:42.2).
Guido, Fisher, Griebat and Beckett are all freshmen who were competing in their first high school event.
The Spartans finished with a winning score of 30 points, far outdistancing Newton and Tuscola, which tied for second with 62 points.
SJ-O returns to action on Saturday (Sept. 4) at the Chrisman Cowchip Classic.
