NORTH VERNON – Bedford North Lawrence finished second in the Ray Gerkin Invitational during girls high school cross country action on Saturday.
The Stars totaled 80 points in the eight-team field. Seymour won the event, which included five Hoosier Hills Conference squads, with 71 points. In the 12-team boys race, BNL finished fourth with 118 points. Jennings County won that title with 58.
Elise Williams paced BNL in the girls race, finishing eighth in 21:56.15. Francesca Orozco was 11th in 22:05.83, and Madison Chandler was 17th in 22:28.15.
“We got second to Seymour and are really pleased,” BNL co-coach Amy Spence said. “We asked the girls to hit it hard today, to see how we measure up to some of the other teams in our conference. Everyone pushed their limits and competed really well.
“We had personal bests from almost half the team, that’s what we want to see at this point in the season. We’re proud of all the hard work they’ve been putting in and their willingness to take some risks for the sake of the team.”
Seymour’s Vivienne Siefker was the individual winner in 20:11.90.
In the boys race, BNL’s Jonah Bailey was fifth overall in 16:55.31. Alex Nicholson was eighth in 17:34.66, and Nick Lindley was 11th in 17:40.32.
“Jonah, Alex, and Nick ran strong races and competed well against other conference schools,” BNL coach Nick Boyd said. “All our runners came off a tough week of practice and raced well. We’re chasing other conference schools, and working to put ourselves in a good position come the HHC.”
Jennings County’s Kraedyn Young was the individual winner in 16:30.27.
The Stars will host the Ted Fox Invitational on Sept. 23.
RAY GERKIN INVITATIONAL
