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The War-Eagles Cross-Country team had a whirlwind of activity, competing in four meets in one weeks time. The team began their busy week on September 28 with a home meet at Blueberry Hills golf course in Deer River. The varsity girls team had an exceptional showing, placing third amongst a competitive eight teams, with three runners placing in the top twenty. Amongst those runners were Makenda Anderson in fifteenth place and Kristina Harder, running her first varsity race, in 17th place. The varsity boys team placed fifth and the junior high girls placed a well earned second.

The cross-country teams' next stop was on Thursday, September 30 at Savanna Portage State Park near McGregor. The War-Eagles student athletes enjoyed a beautiful fall afternoon while running trails through the park. Harder was a ribbon winner placing sixth in the 3200m junior high race with a time of 14:43.

The War-Eagles competed in the Swain Invitation in Duluth on Saturday Oct. 2. The Swain Invite is one of the largest high school cross-country meets in Minnesota, attended by schools from all over the state. The War-Eagle student athletes rose to the occasion and ran well on a tough course. A notable performance was given by Harder placing 21st out of 93 runners in the junior high girls race to help the team to a third place finish. Anderson placed an incredible 33rd of 123 runners over the 4k course in the girls sophomore race. Dylan Thompson had a strong showing, placing in the top third in a loaded junior high boys race. Jake Spartz also finished in the top third of his 5k race with an impressive time of 21:12 on a hilly and slippery course.

The course near Menahga was the last event in the War-Eagles string of meets. The junior high girls team had another remarkable showing with a second place finish. Personal bests were run by ribbon winners Hannah Myers (12:10) and Harder (11:10) over the mile and half junior high course. Anderson was the War-Eagles first varsity girls finisher in the 4 kilometer race with an eleventh place finish. The varsity girls team placed fourth while the varsity boys placed fifth. Spartz was the first War-Eagle athlete to cross the finish line in the varsity boys race while freshman Jordan Perkins moved up to the second position on the team with a personal best time of 23:44 over the 5 kilometer course.

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