Both the Boys' and Girls' FCHS Cross Country teams saw their first action of the season as they traveled to SIU-Edwardsville for the Metro East Lutheran Meet.
The girls' team fared especially well in the 20-plus team event, placing all seven Redbird runners among the top 150.
Sophomore Sydney McPhail (24:29) picked up right where she left off last season, earning a medal for her 48th place finish. Junior Yulia Cool (24:54) was right behind McPhail's pace, finishing 53rd and narrowly missing the medal cutoff.
Junior Laura Dunning (26:02) also made a strong showing Saturday, placing 74th at the meet. Rounding out the Lady Redbird finishers were: freshman Sarafina McKeown (31:19),129th; sophomore Natasha Bender (32:26), 133rd; Madison Wallace (33:21), 140th; Ashlei Manion (33:28), 141st.
The boys' team, competing with only four runners, ran well, according to head coach Matt Hampleman.
Junior Justin Eberhardt (21:51) led all the FCHS pack, finishing in 107th place. Senior Dylan Vaughn (23:08) was next for the Redbirds, coming in at 125th place. Sophomores Marshall Porritt (23:51) and Jacob Wiegand (26:50) also competed Saturday, tallying finishes of 134th and 157th, respectively.
