Franzen finishes as runner-up in Neuqua Valley Invitational

By Fred Kroner

Savanna Franzen was the runner-up on Saturday (Aug. 27) in the Neuqua Valley girls’ cross-country invitational in Naperville.

The sophomore ran the 2.95-mile course in 18 minutes and 29 seconds.

SJ-O’s other varsity entry was Chloe Burkhalter, who was 21^st in 20:27.59. There were 71 varsity finishers.

Four Spartans competed in a 2.2-mile junior varsity race.

Sydney Steinbach was 16^th out of 79 participants in 15:51.98. Hannah Mock was 27^th in 16:52.20, Kaytlyn Baker was 32^nd in 17:07.60 and Sophia Kasper was 42^nd in 18:14.66.

In the boys’ division, SJ-O freshman Lance Retz was the team leader. He finished 30^th in 16:36.63 on a 2.95-mile course.

The Spartans placed seventh in the team chase with 168 points.

Other varsity entries for SJ-O were Ethan Blackburn (37^th in 16:55.78), Aden Armstrong (38^th in 16:56.72), Carson Maroon (43^rd in 17:16.38), Jack Fisher (48^th in 17:26.40), Holden Jones (70^th in 18:15.91), Mason Guido (74^th in 18:23.18), Joe Griebat (78^th in 18:36.67) and E.J. Beckett (117^th in 23:20.48).

The Spartans had two JV runners. Cyrus Zaden was 79^th in 15:20.62 for a 2.2-mile layout. Logan Xiao was 93^rd in 16:08.46.

SJ-O returns to action on Saturday (Sept. 3) at the Chrisman Cowchip Classic.