The guy’s and girl’s cross country teams put up a tough fight Friday, Sept. 16, at the Spartan Invitational in Lansing. 

It was a hot, sunny day at Michigan State. This meet is known for its heat, so the Sharks tried to prepare themselves for it. This meet is run on a golf course which provides very little shade and is also a semi-hilly course. This was the first hilly course the Sharks have faced all season.

Additionally, the invite attracts a lot of competition. It is separated into four huge divisions. Saint Louis competed in the white division.  Many of the Saint Louis guys and girls had outstanding performances. Ben March had a 16:47.61, Landon Pestrue 17:45.36, Colin Kuhn 19:15,50, Dylan Marr 19:36.23, and Alex Rodriguez 19:38.37. The guys team placed 4th out of 31 teams. 

The ladies had a great day as well.  On the ladies’ side Jaiden Dickman ran a 20:59.28, Abby Dice 23:30.95, Laney Pestrue 24:01.78, Payton Kuhn 24:09.19, and Natalie Lemert 24:42.40. The ladies placed 11th out of 28 teams. 

Times may have not been what the Sharks envisioned, but it was great competition. The Sharks competed against the top teams in the state and placed well in a pre-state meet environment. It teaches the runners to not get in there own heads and just go out and compete. 

Coach Jay PuffPaff commented, “It was a hot day of racing against some of the best teams in the state. The athletes competed very well given the conditions.” 

Dylan Luft stated, “I thought it was crazy how many teams there were and everyone was really fast. There were a lot of people around me, and it was very intimidating on all the competition. The golf course was in great condition. The course was marked out well and better than previous courses.”

The Sharks have a full and intense week of training ahead as they prepare for their next competition. The Sharks will be back in action Saturday, Sept. 24, at Delta College, which is a two mile race.