NEWS CHRONICLE PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT The victorious STC cross country team at the Montezuma Invite: (L to R) Logan Richards, Jerome Kapayou, Barrett Jesina, Jovanie Perez, Rayden Hill, and Brady Jesina.

MONTEZUMA — It has been a year of change for the South Tama boys cross country team. But one of the things that has remained the same is victory at Montezuma. For the seventh consecutive year, the Trojans won the team title at the Montezuma Cross Country Invite on Thursday night, Oct. 10. After graduating a large senior class last spring that contributed to the first State Meet team qualification in school history, the Trojans faced the question of whether they could continue the string of team wins at Montezuma. The STC runners were up to the challenge and continued the program’s domination.

“It feels great,” said senior Jerome Kapayou.

“All the hard work has been worth it,” Junior Jovanie Perez added.

STC was led by junior Barrett Jesina, who finished second overall with a time of 16:44. He was followed by Kapayou (11th place, 18:49), Perez (13th, 19:07), freshman Brady Jesina (14th, 19:24), junior Rayden Hill (40th, 22:52), and junior Logan Richards (49th, 25:18).

On the girl’s side, South Tama was paced by freshman Jayva Gomez (15th; 24:49). She was followed by sophomore Livia Smith (18th, 26:36), senior Jenny Manzo (19th, 26:38), and junior Nazaret Carrillo (29th, 29:58).

NEWS CHRONICLE PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT From left to right, Junior Jovanie Perez, freshman Brady Jesina, and senior Jerome Kapayou run together at the Montezuma Invite.

The Trojan runners will now begin their postseason meets. They traveled to Marion for the WAMAC Conference meet on Thursday evening, Oct. 17. This will be followed by their State Qualifying meet on Wednesday, Oct. 23, at a location to be announced.

NEWS CHRONICLE PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT Junior Barrett Jesina leads the pack with English Valley's Gage Heyne at the Montezuma Invite.

NEWS CHRONICLE PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT Sophomore Livia Smith runs down the home stretch at the Montezuma Invite.