Tessa Walker wins St. Joseph Invitational

By Fred Kroner

Tessa Walker was triumphant on Friday (Sept. 22) for St. Joseph in the St. Joseph girls’ cross-country invitational for seventh- and eighth-graders.

She ran the 2-mile course in 13 minutes, 13.08 seconds and was victorious by 2.72 seconds.

The Panthers had seven other runners place among the top 33 in the 66-runner race.

Trailing Walker were Tabby Brown (fourth in 13:29.52), Kennedi Dean (fifth in 13:40.36), Ava Overstreet (seventh in 13:52.32), Avarie Dietiker (11^th in 14:22.30), Charlene Barbee (13^th in 14:33.45), Aubree Profancik (19^th in 15:08.82) and Marissa Smith (33^rd in 16:04.74).

In the 44-runner open race, nine St. Joseph runners crossed the finish line among the first 16 placers.

Leading the way was Claire Dirksmeyer. She ran second in 15:02.60.

Other team leader were Kinsley Oleynichak (fourth in 15:06.01), Ellie Miller (fifth in 15:06.91), Madison Lubinski (eighth in 15:26.67), Thea Hinkel (10^th in 15:52.25), Kendall Lubinski (11^th in 15:53.77), Alayna Nekolny (12^th in 15:53.83), Payslie Hogan (14^th in 15:59.75) and Sophia Albrecht (16^th in 16:43.45).

St. Joseph will return to action on Saturday (Sept. 30) in the Monticello Invitational at Lodge Park.