The Fairfield cross country teams delivered their best team finishes of the season Tuesday at the Washington Invitational, with the girls placing fifth and the boys finishing sixth in competitive fields.
The girls squad recorded a fifth-place finish in a seven-team field that included seventh-ranked Fort Madison. The Bloodhounds claimed the girls team championship, followed by Marion, Washington, and Keokuk ahead of Fairfield. Lone Tree and Burlington rounded out the field.
Alex Jo Steward led Fairfield with a 14th-place finish, followed by Caroline Van Pelt in 21st and Naomi Stiemsma in 22nd. Anna McAvan crossed the line in 30th, while Kensley Fligg finished 31st. Bailey Belzer rounded out the team with a 35th-place finish.
On the boys’ side, the Trojans placed sixth in a nine-team race dominated by Fort Madison and 11th-ranked WACO. Brice Boatright paced Fairfield with a 20th-place finish, just ahead of John Miller in 21st. Clae Cass took 30th, while Elijah Hamilton crossed in 33rd.
Drew Myers finished 45th, followed by Arron Wellnitz in 49th and Sam Nelson in 51st. Aiden Holthus placed 57th, Sawyer McCready 64th, and Quimby Scotton 92nd.
Fort Madison won the boys team title, with WACO taking second ahead of Washington, Marion, Keokuk, Fairfield, Burlington, Lone Tree, and Highland.
The day proved particularly successful for the Trojans’ high school runners, with nine athletes recording either personal records or season-best times. Both middle school teams also turned in strong performances, each earning second-place finishes at the meet.
The season-best team finishes for both varsity squads signal positive momentum as the Trojans head into the final stretch of the cross country season.
