On Friday, August 19, the McKinney Christian Academy Cross Country team kicked off their season with their first meet. Upper school and Middle school runners bonded together to complete the Boswell Pioneer Trail Run at The Buff. With a course of two miles, there were amazing performances from runners all across the roster. The Upper school boys ended their race claiming the top three spots. Junior David Roller placed first, finishing with a time of 11:40. He was soon followed by sophomore Jack Sukhia in second who ran a time of 12:19, junior Nick Catullo finishing third at 12:33 and freshman Dane Johnson ending in 10th with a time of 13:24.

The Upper school girls had some top 10 finishes with senior Belle Kanz placing second with a time of 14:33. Remaining top ten spots were claimed by senior Leigh-Evan Kitzmiller placing seventh at 15:42, junior Grace Krause in eighth place with a time of 15:46 and sophomore Joy Allen in ninth place at 15:51.

The Middle school also had many placings among their runners. Sixth grader Carrington Lansford finished highest in the Middle school division, placing fourth in the girls with a time of 18:46. Another notable run being eighth grader Brayden Ramirez running 14:13 and placing fifth for the boys. Fifth was also claimed by the girls, with sixth grader Katherine Maguire finishing with a time of 19:17. Other places were eighth grader Dusty Thibodeaux in sixth with 14:58, sixth grader Brianna Dunne in seventh at a time of 20:43, sixth graders Conner Leick placing ninth with a 15:49 and sixth grader Olivia Lazell finishing ninth with a time of 21:21.

When asked about feelings for the first meet, Johnson said, “We did so much better than I thought we would, and everyone did their job and gave us a great outcome.” The Mustangs will run again Saturday August 27, at Greenhill Luke’s Locker.