NEWS CHRONICLE PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT – STC sophomore Jayva Gomez runs at the annual STC Invite.

The STC cross country team competed on their home course on Monday evening, Sept. 15. Battling one of the toughest courses they run on all season, and 85-degree racing temperatures, the Trojans rose to the challenge.

After the middle school races, the boys varsity team took to the course. STC was once again led by senior Barret Jesina, who finished in third place (17:11) at the last home meet of his career. For the Trojans, Jesina was followed by freshman Max Schirmer, who finished in 14th place with a time of 20:01.

“It was really hot,” said Schirmer after the race. “We just had to push through it.”

With the home campus being known for its large hills, Schrimer noted that their practice the previous week helped the runners prepare.

“We worked on hills last Thursday and the work really paid off,” Schirmer said. “Surprisingly, I felt strong on the hills today. It’s not an easy course to run.”

NEWS CHRONICLE PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT – STC senior Barrett Jesina crosses the finish line at the STC Invite for the last time in his career. Jesina finished 3rd in this year's race.

Sophomore Brady Jesina finished next for STC (17th place; 20:13), followed by senior Jovanie Perez (27th place; 21:53), freshman Riley Stubbs (43rd place; 26:22), freshman Nolan Arp (44th place; 26:35), and freshman Kyler Johnson (45th place; 26:35). The boys finished in 4th place as a team (104), behind Grinnell (28), Grundy Center (66) and Baxter (91).

For the girls team, the Trojans were led by sophomore Jayva Gomez, who finished in 41st place with a time of 28:30. She was followed by junior Livia Smith (52nd place; 29:51) and sophomore Cahysia Kapayou (60th place; 32:14). West Marshall won the girl’s team race, finishing in first place with 32 points. They were followed by Grundy Center (48) and North Tama (73).

Up next for the Trojan cross country team is the Newton Invite in Newton on Tuesday, Sept. 23. That will be followed by a trip to Williamsburg for the Williamsburg Invite on Tuesday, Sept. 30.

NEWS CHRONICLE PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT – STC freshman Max Schirmer (left) and sophomore Brady Jesina (right) compete at the STC Invite.

NEWS CHRONICLE PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT – STC senior Jovanie Perez attacks a hill at the annual STC Invite.

NEWS CHRONICLE PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT – STC junior Livia Smith competes at the annual STC Invite.