South Tama varsity boys take off from the starting line at the Vinton-Shellsburg Invite Cross Country Meet on Sept. 21. Pictured in STC blue uniforms are (from left) Trusten Rosenberger, James Brant and Jonathan Meyer. Brant finished as the boys runner-up with a time of 17:21.50. — Photos by Ruby F. Bodeker

The South Tama boys cross country team landed a runner-up finish Saturday at the BCLUW Invite at South Hardin Recreation Area.

The boys’ team was one point shy (40) of champion East Marshall, who ended with a score of 39. Tommy Tyynismaa and James Brant finished 1-2 for the Trojans. Tyynismaa ended the race in 17 minutes and 34.27 seconds, while Brant ran a 17:40.68.

South Tama’s Jonathan Meyer came in 11th place with a time of 19:20.20, just ahead of Clayton Graff in 13th (19:43.32) and Braxten Rohrs in 16th (20:04.80). Rounding out the varsity lineup for STC was Cale Graff in 22nd place and Holden Schirmer in 23rd.

Zayton Weninger-Brown finished 19th for Meskwaki and ran a 20:26.39, with Dayvin Guevara in 26th after a time of 21:08.78.

In the girls’ race, JoJo Tyynismaa was the first STC Trojan across the line with a fifth place finish and time of 22:06.34.

Right behind Tyynismaa was Meskwaki’s Shye Johnson, who finished sixth with a time of 22:53.27. She was followed by South Tama runner Mary Kate Frakes in seventh at 23:10.85 and Meskwaki’s Wakinyela Bear in eighth at 23:43.05.

Further down the Trojans roster was Kayla Heck in 15th place, Maeley Elsbury 23rd, Alexis Crouch 40th and Abigail Chyma 41st.

In the team standings, South Tama and BCLUW tied on points at 73, but due to South Tama having the higher top finisher the Trojans took third place and the Comets had to settle for fourth.

Brant top Trojan at Vinton

On Tuesday the South Tama runners headed to Vinton-Shellsburg High School for the annual Vikings Invitational.

Sophomore James Brant earned a runner-up finish with a time of 17:21.50, roughly 10 seconds behind meet champ Gavin Hall of Cedar Rapids Jefferson.

Brant led the Trojans in the absence of teammate Tommy Tyynismaa who has paced Brant in several races this season.

The next runners in for South Tama were a tight contingent including Jonathan Meyer (17, 19:10.2), Trusten Rosenberger (18, 19:12.1) and Braxten Rohrs (19, 19:12.7).

STC boys ended the night with third place team finish behind Cedar Rapids Jefferson and Benton Community.

The remainder of the South Tama boys roster included Cade Rosenberger (23rd), Kaden Kopsa (36th) and Holden Schirmer (47th).

In the girls race Tuesday, JoJo Tyynismaa came in ninth among a competitive field led by Ellie Rathe of Union.

Tyynismaa’s time of 21:36.6 was just ahead of teammate Mary Kate Frakes who came in 14th with a time of 22:14.4.

Next in for the Trojans was Kayla Heck in 33rd place followed by Maeley Elsbury in 45th. The lineup was rounded out by Andrea Padilla, Alexis Crouch and Abigail Chyma.

South Tama will next travel to Iowa City for the Clear Creek-Amana Invitational Meet on Sept. 27.