Blue Earth Areas boys and girls cross country had impressive showings at the Maple River Invite on Thursday, Sept. 12 at Daly Park. The Buc boys finished in second place as a team and the girls were third, one spot ahead of host Maple River.

Boys varsity results: USC 34, BEA 96, LSH 104, WEM 107, Maple River 113, NRHEG 116, SE 139, Medford 200, MVL 203, M/T incomplete.

Mike Ankeny was solid and led the boys with a time of 18:53 (3-4-4).

“Mike zoomed to his finest finish of the year,” Coach Tom Plocker says.

Zach Vaske crushed his old personal record by running a 19:03 (8-7-8). He moved up by 38 places from last year and medalled as well. Isaac Miranda and Jordan Stelter were on the same wavelength and both ran a 20:44. Kyle Mercer was next with a 20:51 and moved up 12 spots from his ’12 race. Adam Buseman (22:11) sliced his time from last week according to Plocker.

Boys JV results (5000 meters): Gabe Jacobsen 23:21; Alex Benson 24:05; Jaxx Jacobsen 24:06; Nick Shure 24:53; John Lindsey 26:24; Jack Nimz 27:13; Johnathan Cole 29:29.

Girls results: WEM 50, USC 53, BEA 78, Maple River 101, MVL 103, LSH 104, M/T, NRHEG, Medford, SE incomplete.

Taylor Grandgenett paved the way with a 17:28 (7-6-4). She was 30 seconds and 9 places better than ’12. Mariah Halvorson (18:15) and Shayna Stevermer (18:26) also placed in the top 20. Jenna Stevermer (18:40) and Signe Olson (19:06) ‘blasted off 30+ second improvements over last year.’ Athena Peterson (19:51) and Makenzie Slette (20:19) rounded off the Bucs third place finish.

Girls JV (4000 meters): Jalyssa Wilson 21:40; Alexis Brooks 22:00, Brooke Frandle 22:29; Meredith Hagedorn 22:33; Sierra Halvorson 22:59; Rowan Hacken 23:11; Zoe Thompson 23:37; Anna Aukes 23:50; Nyla Anderson 24:42; Ina Aasheim 25:09; Mette Rostad 25:14.