This past Saturday the cross country team got their season started at one of the most historic meets in the state. The Wildcats travelled to Milton Union High School for the Bob Schul Invitational. Where over 900 high school runners competed across 4 different races. The temperature was low enough for some fast times, and the course was flat and for once, not dusty.

The day started at 8:10 am with the boys division I/II race. Our athletes used the first mile on the grass to get themselves into position before entering the woods for the back half of the race. They all fought hard to keep position and move up among the pack that included 279 runners from 16 different schools. As they exited the woods, and entered the stadium for the final 300 meters Oliver Crosthwaite was leading the way for our team. He finished 32nd overall with a time of 17:42.4. He was followed by Daniel Osborne (18:53.2), Donovan Schuyler (19:04.0), Tre'son Henley (19:25.0), and Kellen Dunn (21:01) to round out the scorers for our team. Kian Gatliff (21:39.7) and Austin Cook (23:35.0) held their own and had great first performances as freshman.

The girls division I/II race got started at 9:30am, just as the temperatures started to heat up, and the sun came out. The ladies were primed and ready to race placing 8th overall out of 16 teams in a race that included 175 athletes. Starting her cross country career off with a bang was Sienna Finton finishing in 17th place overall with a time of 21:02.9 and moving into 6th place all time in Franklin girls cross country history. Not to be outdone, Laila Black had a new career best time of 21:13.9 finishing in 19th place overall and lowering her 7th best time in school history by 17 seconds. Rounding out the scoring members of our team were Gigi Perkins (22:57.1) in 50th place, Kydee Shults (23:22.3) in 61st place and Brooklyn Hall (25:49.3) in 99th place. Meryn Berry also made her debut running her first high school race as a sophomore and finishing with a time of 27:47.1.

Next Saturday the team is travelling to Lebanon, for the Running Warrior Invitational. Come on out and cheer them on as the boys race at 8:00 am followed by the ladies at 8:35 am. Let go Cats!!