The sharks cross country teams dominated at the John Bruder Classic Wednesday, Sept. 8 at Shepard High School. 

The sun was bright and hot, and most Saint Louis runners know the Sheperd course like the back of their hands since they race there often. This was the third meet for the cross team, and also the first time the teams were separated between varsity and junior varsity. At the end of the night, both sides came home with a first-place win. 

For the teams first-place accomplishments, all the varsity runners were awarded a $15 voucher for the merchandise booth. All the runners got a white shirt with a little symbol on the front and one on the back that said team champions. All the athletes were excited for these shirts. 

All the divisions ran together, but the final results were separated between big school and small school. Saint Louis was scored in the small school division. Ben March placed 1st with a time of 16:34.7 for small school, Landon Pestrue took 4th with a time of 17:30.2, Dylan Marr took 7th with a time of 17:50.3. On the girls side, the top three for the Sharks included Jaiden Dickman who took 1st with a time of 20:10.7, Abby Dice 9th with a time of 22:10.5, and Laney Pestrue with a time of 23:09.9. 

Coach Jay Puffpaff commented, “Really proud of how the team performed. We were tough through the whole race. Proud of how both sides competed and brought home victories for the small school division in a packed field.” 

Senior Laney Pestrue commented, “I’m extremely proud of how the team performed. It was a hot day but we persevered to come out on top.” 

The Sharks will be back in action Tuesday, Sept. 13, at Bullock Creek for their first conference competition.