The Warrenton cross country teams have seen steady growth since their season started. A few Warriors have set new personal records, many have cut down on their times and overall, the runners are staying consistent.

On Saturday, Sept. 21, the teams traveled to the campus of Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville for the Edwardsville

Cross Country Invitational. Once again, Alexis Ruff led the Warriors in the girls race, placing 18th out of 129 runners in 22 minutes, 40 seconds. Ruff was nine seconds short of her time from the last meet, but Head Coach Jeremy Collins noted she is looking strong and keeping a steady time.

Ava Schneider also ran in the girls race after setting a personal record from the week before. She was within just a couple seconds from her PR and placed 57th in 25:44. Abby Kackley finished in the top three for the Warriors again placing 73rd in 25:51.

Sophie Bennett followed after Kackley finishing 76th in 27:05. Bennett set her new PR, improving her time by 50 seconds.

“Sophie works really hard during practice and she has a great attitude,” Collins said. “She was hoping to go under 27 minutes and she was close, but she will get it soon.”

Warrenton also had a new runner, Melanie Guerrero, run in her first 5k race. Guerrero placed 97th in 29:45. Overall, the girls team placed eighth out of 13 teams.

Sophomore Matt Craven led the boys team, placing 65th in 19:16. Dylan Coleman finished right after Craven in 67th place for a PR of 19:21. Coleman cut his time down by 30 seconds.

Jacob Beckemyer placed 95th in 20:21. Noah Cline finished 113th in 20:55 and Korben Johnson finished 164th in 22:14.

The Warriors will run again this Saturday, Sept. 28 at Gans Creek in Columbia. This will be the same course that the state meet will be held on.