The Blue Earth Area boys and girls cross country placed third and fourth, respectively, at the Early Bird Invite in Fairmont last Friday, Aug. 22.

The 4,000-meter races were coordinated by year, matching athletes against each other based on grade.

Grade 12 boys results: Mike Ankeny placed second in the 4,000-meter race with a time of 14:32, a personal record.

“Mike burst to an emphatic start to his senior season,” Coach Tom Plocker said.

Nick Shure placed sixth with a time of 15:44; and Alex Benson came in ninth at 16:39.

Grade 11 boys results: Zach Vaske, fourth place, 14:47; and Alan Davids, 12th place, 15:57.

Grade 10 boys results: Seth Becker, fifth place, 16:07; and Gabe Johnson, ninth place, 16:47.

Seventh grade boys also had an impressive start to the season in the 1,600-meter race.

Brady Olsen placed first with a time of 5:42; Grant Strukel, third place, 5:53; and Thomas Lindsey, eighth place, 6:16.

Grade 12 girls results: Signe Olson placed sixth in the 4,000-meter race with a time of 18:43; Athena Peterson came in 11th at 20:52.

Grade 11 girls results: Taylor Grandgenett dominated the meet with a time of 18:14 putting her in sixth place; and Shayna Stevermer, ninth place, 19:01.

“The girls were solid, paced by Taylor, Signe in her first and last Early Bird and Shayna,” Plocker said.

Eighth grade girls also performed quite well in the 1,600-meter race.

Callie Stevermer, seventh place, 6:48; and Amanda Jacobson, 11th place, 6:55.