The 2021 Hood College High School Cross Country Invitational took place on Saturday, Sept. 4 at the Othello Regional Park. As one of the earlier meets of the season, this invite determines what's in store for the rest of season.
(Edward Lyness finishes as the first place winner of the boys varsity race)
For the boys varsity race, Montgomery Blair's Edward Lyness finished first with a time of 16:42.20. Close behind was John Handley's Nicolo Schianchi with a time of 16:48.70. North Stafford's Samuel Yakulis Jr. finished third with a time of 17:12.10. Schianchi ended up leading his team to victory with a total score of 51 points. Montgomery Blair (98 points) brought home the runner-up honors led by Lyness, and Woodgrove (101 points) rounded out the team podium, which was led by Zach Mazeska (18:27.40).
(Urbana's Ivy Coldren leads the pack up the hill)
For the girls varsity race, Arundel's Katherine Leddy finished first with a time of 20:19.40. Behind her was Fairfax's Christina Elliott with a time of 20:33.30, followed by Urbana's Ivy Coldren with a time of 20:37.40. Ultimately, Coldren led her team to victory with a total score of 45 points. The first runner-up was Fairfax (93 points), led by Elliott. The second runner-up was Century (124 points), led by Hope Callaway (22:35.80).
(Eden Alexander finishes as the first place winner of the girls open race)
For the girl's open race, freshman Eden Alexander from St. Sebastian Stride finished first with a time of 23:54.7. Second was Emily Graff with a time of 26:04.9. Third was senior Molly Kloss from Arundel with a time of 26:11.1.
